An Introduction for Geoscientists to the Application of Transmission Electron Microscopy, Atom Probe Tomography and Synchrotron-based Analytical Techniques
Date: Saturday March 1, 2025
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm EST (UTC-5)
Location: University of Toronto – Earth Science Center | Toronto, ON, Canada
Format: One-day in-person short course consisting of dynamic lectures and generous time for participant Q&A sessions. Lunch will be provided by the University of Toronto Student Chapter.
Presenters: Daniel Gregory, Anthony Chappaz, Duncan McLeish, and Denis Fougerouse
Partner: University of Toronto
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Ultra high-grade (bonanza) electrum mineralization in (A) a calcite-quartz vein hosted by sericitized crystal tuff in a development face in underground mine workings and (B) in a calcite nanoveinlet (bright-field TEM image). The two images emphasize the strong similarity between massive (clotted) electrum at the macro and nanoscales. Spherical nanoparticles of electrum are evident in the bottom left corner of the nanoveinlet. The tip of a mechanical pencil appears in the top left corner of A for scale. McLeish et al. (2021), PNAS
Description
To improve modern exploration processes and to develop sustainable extraction solutions, the mining industry must consider the heterogeneities (spatial, chemical, and physical) of ore minerals. Advanced analytical techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atom probe tomography (APT), and synchrotron based micro-focused techniques like X-Ray Fluorescence mapping (μ-XRF), X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (μ-XANES) and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (μ-EXAFS) are becoming more accessible and increasingly used in understanding many aspects of mineral deposits, from deposit formation all the way through to mineral processing.
However, these techniques are generally not taught at the undergraduate level and as such are not familiar to many geoscientists. In this one-day course presenters will introduce the basic principles of these techniques and present simple examples of how they can be applied, as well as discuss their various benefits and limitations.
The morning session will be dedicated to synchrotron-based techniques and will introduce briefly what a synchrotron is and how it functions. For each technique, including μ-XRF, μ-XANES and μ-EXAFS, presenters will explain the basic principles, the type of mineral deposit questions that may be answered through its usage, and a relevant case study.
The afternoon session will introduce atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This will involve reviewing various cases studies, including a case study from the Brucejack deposit that shows how TEM was used to develop a new model explaining extreme gold enrichments. The course will conclude with a case study of the Jinchang gold deposit, illustrating how all these techniques together can be used to develop a model of a deposit.
Who Should Attend
This course is for both professional and student geoscientists who are interested in the application of novel, submicron-scale imaging and analysis techniques for better understanding ore deposits. Participants will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of each of the techniques covered (APT, TEM, μ-XRF, μ-XANES and μ-EXAFS), in addition to learning about their applications in predictive geologic modelling, metal deportment, geometallurgical studies.
Key Takeaways
- Consider the heterogeneity of mineral deposits at the micro and nanoscales and implications for mineral exploration and recovery.
- Identify the proper analytical techniques that will help answer critical questions about mineral deposits, mineral recovery, and mineral processing.
- Synchrotron-, APT-, and TEM-based techniques are very powerful and can be used to help address problems in the mining and mineral exploration industries, particularly those related to micro to nanoscale heterogeneities in minerals.
- Basic understanding of the analytical techniques presented: μ-XRF, μ-XANES, μ-EXAFS, TEM and APT.
- Pros and cons of each technique.
Presenters
Daniel Gregory
Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Dr. Gregory completed his Ph.D. from CODES at the University of Tasmania in 2014, completed his post doctoral work at the NASA astrobiological institute at the University of California, Riverside until he was hired as a professor of Economic Geology at the University of Toronto in 2018. He is an expert in in situ analysis of trace elements in sulfide minerals, primarily utilizing LA-ICPMS but also using a number of techniques including atom probe tomography, transmission electron microscopy, XANES, XAFS, and LA-ICPMS. These techniques are utilized to understand how the trace elements are held within pyrite. This has implication for understanding how ore deposits form and geometallurgy. LinkedIn profile
Anthony Chappaz
Professor of Molecular Geochemistry, Director of the STARLAB, Executive Director of Central Michigan University – Research Corporation Innovation & Partnerships, CEO of AquaTraces
Dr. Chappaz is a world recognized expert in trace element geochemistry. He has developed a unique approach called molecular geochemistry that combines the determination of ultra trace level, isotope ratios, 2D and 3D spatial distribution, and speciation. As the new Executive Director CMU-RC I&P, he constantly acts as a bridge between Industries and Academia. Several of his research projects are funded by private partners. In addition, Dr. Chappaz has been organizing and presenting many workshops aiming to make the synchrotron techniques (or other advanced analytical techniques) more accessible to the industry. LinkedIn profile
Duncan F. McLeish
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Hydrothermal Geochemistry Group, Department of Earth Sciences, McGill University
Dr. McLeish is an expert in the field of hydrothermal geochemistry applied to understanding hyper-enriched, 'bonanza'-type hydrothermal gold deposits. His research uses advanced microbeam methods (TEM, STEM, LA-ICP-MS, EDS, EMPA-WDS) to explore the micro and nanoscale processes that formed ultra-high-grade gold ores in fossil hydrothermal systems and are operative in their active geothermal counterparts. He also has experience with using SR-μXRF techniques to study trace element characteristics associated with high-grade hydrothermal gold mineralisation and has applied this work to refine nano to macroscale genetic models for epithermal and porphyry gold deposits. Duncan holds a Ph.D. from McGill University, an M.Sc. from the University of Victoria, and a B.Sc. (Hons) from Dalhousie University. LinkedIn profile
Denis Fougerouse
Research Fellow at Curtin University
Dr. Fougerouse completed his B.Sc. (Saint-Etienne, France), M.Sc. (Nancy, France) and his Ph.D. at the University of Western Australia focusing on gold mineralisation in Ghana. His current expertise gravitates around the use of high-end analytical instrumentation (atom probe tomography, EBSD, NanoSIMS, LG-SIMS, synchrotron radiations…) for mineral characterisation and geological applications. Dr Fougerouse has a particular interest in ore deposit formation processes and element mobility in accessory phases used in geochronological studies. LinkedIn profile
Registration
Early deadline: February 21, 2025
Regular deadline: February 27, 2025
Maximum participants: 32
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Early |
Regular |
| SEG Member |
US$395 |
US$495 |
| SEG Student Member |
US$65 |
US$95 |
| Non-member |
US$495 |
US$595 |
| All prices are in United States dollars (USD). SEG reserves the right to cancel this event should minimum attendance numbers not be met by February 21, 2025. All registrants will be given a full refund should SEG cancel the course. Cancellation policy, event photography, dietary restrictions, and more are detailed in the SEG Terms and Conditions.
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