Dr. Rick Squire

Supervisors: Rick Squire and Ray Cas 
Field of study: Volcanology, sedimentology, geochemisty, tectonics
Support Offered: All travel, field, analytical and thesis-preparation costs
Vacation employment: Agnew Gold Mine (possible)
Collaborating organisation/s: Agnew Gold Mine (Gold Fields Australia)
Preferred Program: Honours only

The Agnew region of Western Australia contains several high-grade gold deposits hosted by the highly metalliferous Archaean volcanic-sedimentary and granitic rock successions, yet the controls on the distribution of these spectacularly enriched lodes remains unclear. This multidisciplinary project will investigate the three-dimensional stratigraphic and structural architecture of the rock succession, and assess the age and nature of the hydrothermal alteration associated with mineralisation. Results of this research will be used by exploration geologists at Agnew to target new high-grade ore shoots. Gold Fields is one of the largest gold producers in the world and the Agnew Gold Mine is among their most-profitable operations. Vacation employment may be offered as part of this project, enabling the student to familiarize themselves with the rocks and the region prior to commencement of the Honours year.
For further details contact: Rick Squire or Ray Cas.
 

Supervisors: Rick Squire and Ray Cas
Field of study: Volcanology, sedimentology, structural geology and tectonics
Support Offered: All travel, field, analytical and thesis-preparation costs
Vacation employment: St Ives Gold Mine
Collaborating organisation/s: St Ives Gold Mine (Gold Fields Australia)

Preferred Program: Honours only

The Kambalda region is a world famous, highly mineralised part of the Eastern Goldfields Province, of the Archaean Yilgarn Craton. The submarine succession ranges from komatiites to basalts, intercalated hemi-pelagic sediments, the more felsic Black Flag Group, and the “Late Basin” Merougil Beds. Until recently, the uppermost part of the stratigraphy was considered barren of gold and thus one of the few unprospective parts of the Archaean successions. However, the recent discovery of several new deposits hosted by widespread volcaniclastic successions of the Black Falg Group in the St Ives District has triggered a dramatic escalation in exploration activity and research. This multidisciplinary project will investigate the volcanic, magmatic and stratigraphic architecture of the Kambalda stratigraphy, or parts thereof. The results of this work will be vital in assisting local exploration geologists to target new deposits in this world-class gold and nickel terrane. Vacation employment may be offered as part of this project, enabling the student to familiarize themselves with the rocks and the region prior to commencement of the Honours year.
For further details contact: Rick Squire or Ray Cas.