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As it has grown in length and level through successive edtions, the same author's Introduction to Ore Geology (now Ore Geology and Industrial Minerals) has left behind its original audience: first- and second -ear students. This new textbook, designed to fill that niche , was written specifically for introductory courses. Introduction to Economic Geology and Its Environmental Impact covers oil, coal, water and nuclear fuels, as well as economically important ores and bulk minerals. In keeping with current concerns and constraints, particular attention is paid to the impact of mining and drilling on the environment
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Preface There is still little choice in the field of introductory textbooks in economic geology suitable for undergraduates, particularly those pursuing combined studies or general degrees, and this volume is an attempt to widen the choice. Much of its content is drawn f~om courses that I taught at Leicester University and from my books on ore geology. However, in this volume I have tried to draw the reader's attention to the great need in mineral exploration and exploitation to do all we can to preserve the environment, remembering that pollution and contamination can be as bad or even worse after mining operations terminate as during their productive phase. Chapter 3 is therefore an introduction to environmental implications which are then at least touched on in most of the chapters in Part 2 and often considered at some length. I must take this opportunity to emphasize my hope that, if this book should be adopted as a set course book, the students concerned will be given adequate practical periods in which to handle and examine hand specimens and thin and polished sections of the common are types and their typical host rocks. Too often one gains the impression that fresh graduates have gleaned their ideas of what an orebody looks like from being given a few mineralogical and museum specimens to gaze at. It is essential that lecturers build up typical ore suites from working mines in abundance to allow students to handle as many run-of-the-mill ores and their wall rocks as possible. This should be accompanied by developing such skills as visual assaying, recognizing wall rock alteration, using textural evidence to decide on the mode of genesis and so on. As in previous books, I have attempted to keep the reader aware of financial realities, in particular by including a chapter on mineral economics and by including many statistics on product price, grades of ore, are reserves and tonnage produced; with special emphasis on similar matters for the energy commodities. For ease of reference, emphasis of important points and help with revision I have used bold type for certain words and phrases to draw the eye. I am very grateful to Mr David Highley of the British Geological Survey for his help in some of the more difficult areas of mineral statistics. To vii Units and Abbreviations Note on units With few exceptions, the units used are all S.I. (Systeme Intemational), which has been in common use by engineers and scientists since 1965. The principal exceptions are: (a) for commodity prices still quoted in old units, such as troy ounces for precious metals and the short ton (= 2000lb); (b) when there is uncertainty about the exact unit used, tons in certain circumstances might be short or long (2240Ib); (c) degrees Celsius (centigrade)geologists do not seem to be able to envisage temperatures in degrees Kelvin! (neither do meteorologists!); and (d) centimetres (em), which like °C refuse to die because they are so useful! 5.1. prefixes commonly used in this text are k =kilo-, 103; M = mega-, 106 (million); G = giga-, 109 (billion is rarely used as it has different meanings on either side of the Atlantic. On the few occasions when it appears it m