All CREG projects require field work followed by supporting laboratory analyses. Facilities in the Mackay School of Mines include standard XRD/XRF, SEM, EMP, laser-assisted ICP-MS, fluid inclusion analysis capabilities, cathodoluminescence, stable isotope lab and standard optical transmitted and reflected light microscopy. Collaboration with other labs for age dating is extensive.

 (right) Deep Star mine pyrite with arsenian pyrite overgrowth, Carlin trend, Nevada.
 
 

 
• Boskie, Rachelle: M.S. Thesis Project Entitled "A Detailed Structural Analysis of Lower Paleozoic Rocks along th Getchell Trend,Osgood Mountains, Humboldt County, Nevada"
• Cellura, Brian: M.S. Thesis Project Entitled "Biostratigraphy of Lower Paleozoic Rocks within the Roberts Mountains Allochthon, Southern Tuscarora Mountains, NV"
• Hutcherson, Sheila: M.S. Thesis Project Entitled "A Structural and Petrographic Modeling Study of Cerro Yanacocha, a High-sulfidation Epithermal Gold and Silver Deposit near Cajamarca, Peru"
• Johnston, Marcus K.: Ph.D. Dissertation Project Entitled "Geology of the Cove Gold-Silver Mine, Lander County, Nevada"
• No Student Identified at this Time: M.S. Thesis Project Entitled "Characterization of Carbonate Replacement and Veining In and Around Carlin-type Gold Deposits"
• Thomas, Aaron: M.S. Thesis Project Entitled "Breccia Distributions in the Meikle Mine Including Structural Controls, Geochemical Characterization, Paragenesis, and Gold Association(s), and Isotopic Variations"
• Tretbar, David: M.S. Thesis Project Entitled "Controls on Gold Deposition in the 194 Orebody, a Collapse-breccia, Sedimentary Rock-hosted Disseminated Gold Deposit in the Getchell Mine, Humboldt County, Nevada"
• Thompson, Tommy B.: "Structural Geology and Geochemistry of the Deep Star Orebody, Carlin Trend, Nevada"

1999 CREG Highlights:

    (1) 5 M.S. degrees awarded in Economic Geology through CREG support with 4 employed in the Minerals Industry
    (2) Industry Donations for 3 years: $750,000
    (3) 17 Industry Sponsors
    (4) 4 Publications, with 3 pending on CREG-sponsored research
    (5) 4 Projects completed with reports to all CREG sponsors
    (6) Annual CREG Report: 540 pages with research results

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
 
 

Graduates from the Economic Geology program at the Mackay School of Mines have close associations with engineering and mining firms based in Reno and nearby cities. In addition, there is a strong professional group of geologists in the Geological Society of Nevada that meets monthly in Reno and Elko, allowing graduate students the opportunity to become acquainted with industry geologists. Many of the graduate students work on thesis projects at operating mine or exploration sites. The net result is employment at local or international sites.

 (above left) Arsenian marcasite overgrown by realgar and quartz. SSX mine, Jerritt Canyon District, Nevada.

FACULTY INVOLVED:

 Greg B. Arehart, Ph.D., Michigan, 1992
John McCormack, Ph.D., Nevada, Reno, 1997
Paula J. Noble, Ph.D., Univ. Texas, Austin, 1993
Simon Poulson, Ph.D., Penn State, 1990
Rich Schweickert, Ph.D., Stanford, 1972
Gina Tempel, Ph.D., Colorado School of Mines, 1993
Tommy Thompson, Ph.D., New Mexico, 1966
James Trexler, Ph.D., Washington, 1984

 USGS PARTICIPANTS:

 Steve Peters
Alan Wallace
Ted Theodore 

Barrick Goldstrike Mines, Inc.
Newmont Gold Company
Placer Dome, Inc.
Pittston Nevada Gold Company
Cordex Exploration, Inc.
Kinross Gold Corporation
Independence Mining Company, Inc.
AngloGold
Echo Bay Exploration, Inc.
Homestake Mining Company
CAMECO Corporation
Kennecott Exploration Company
Royal Gold, Inc.
Public Resource Associates
Chemex Labs
U.S. Geological Survey
Nevada Bureau of Mines & Geology

The Ralph J. Roberts Center for Research in Economic Geology (CREG) offers graduate research assistantships for M.S. and Ph.D. studies. The stipend for M.S. candidates is $1100/month and $1200/month for Ph.D. candidates. All field and lab expenses are paid, as are tuition and fees. The M.S. student support is for 2 years and the Ph.D. term is for 3 years.

 (left) Examination of core at a drill station in the Getchell mine.
 

The research projects are defined by the individual student and his/her advisor with a project proposal prepared during the first year of graduate studies. Funding decisions are made by an executive committee composed of industry, academic, and government sponsors. Continuation of support is dependent on significant progress each year. Quarterly and Annual reporting are required from each project team. An Annual Meeting is held on the campus each year with sponsor attendance and participation. Posters and oral summaries are presented for each project.

 (right) Unidirectional solidification texture quartz in rhyolite porphyry, Henderson stockwork molybdenum deposit, Colorado. K-feldspar is stained by sodium cobaltinitrite.
 

For additional information about CREG support and graduate studies in Economic Geology, please contact:

 Shelley Harvey - Tel/FAX (775) 784-1382
e-mail: shelley@mines.unr.edu or CREG@mines.unr.edu

OR

Tommy Thompson - Tel (775) 327-5146
e-mail: tommyt@mines.unr.edu

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