UNESCO-SEG- SGA Latin American Metallogeny Course Antofagasta, Chile, June 2006
F. Tornos and T. Bissig

A new edition of the Latin American course on Metallogeny sponsored by UNESCO, SEG and SGA, has been organized in Antofagasta (Chile) by Thomas Bissig (Antofagasta, Universidad Católica del Norte) in conjunction with Diego Morata (Universidad de Santiago) and Eduardo Campos (Universidad de Concepción) with Fernando Tornos (IGME, Spain) as International Coordinator.

The course was held between 6th and 17th June and it included five intensive days of theoretical classes followed by a week-long field trip in northern Chile to some of the world most renowned ore deposits. The topic of this year’s course was the geology and geochemistry of magmatic-hydrothermal systems. Lectures were given by Fernando Barra (Univ. of Arizona, Geochronology and Re-Os systematics, UNESCO lecturer), Thomas Bissig (Antofagasta, Geomorphology and ore deposits, M99), Eduardo Campos (Concepción, Fluid evolution in porphyry systems, M03), José Cembrano (Antofagasta, Magmatic arcs and IOCG deposits,), Larryn Diamond (Bern, Switzerland, Introduction to fluid inclusions and Orogenic gold, M01), Lluís Fontboté (Geneva, Switzerland, Cordilleran and IOCG deposits, F90), Diego Morata (Santiago,Magmatism and ore deposits in the Andes), Fernando Tornos (Salamanca, Spain, General introduction and geochemistry of ore deposits, F93, SGA lecturer) and Dick Tosdal (Vancouver, Tectonic setting of porphyry and epithermal systems, F96, SEG lecturer). The general introductory talk on the Geotectonic evolution and ore deposits of the Central Andes was held by Constantino Mpodozis (Santiago, Chile, F02). The theoretical course was complemented by short presentations of the grantholders on their recent research.

Sites visited on the field trip included: the porphyry copper prospect of Sierra Gorda, where the well exposed oxide zone could be observed; the giant Chuquicamata and Radomiro Tomic deposits; the El Laco magnetite deposit of controversial origin; the manto type copper deposits of Las Luces and Michilla; the low sulfidation epithermal deposit of El Peñón; contamination issues related to the marine shore flotation tailing deposits of Chañaral; and last but not least the Candelaria Iron Oxide Copper Gold deposit.

64 participants from public institutions and mining companies from different countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, México, Peru, and Spain attended to the theoretical part but only 42 could be accepted to attend the field trip. Twenty five participants were partially supported with funds provided by SEG, SGA and UNESCO as well as Swiss cooperation agencies (KFSE, COSUDE), the Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME), Barrick Chile Ltda. and Meridian Gold.

The Latin American Course on Metallogeny is establishing itself as the probably most important course on ore deposits held in Spanish. It has become a well known and prestigious event for researchers and experts on ore deposit geology. The course is itinerary and takes place annually in different countries of Latin America. Thus, we encourage potential host institutions and local coordinators to submit proposals for future editions of the course. Further information on the course can be found on the course website: http://www.unige.ch/sciences/terre/mineral/seminars/latinometal.html

 

Field trip participants at the Candelaria IOCG deposit.