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Books in Economic geology

Our portfolio in Economic Geology offers comprehensive coverage of mineral deposit formation, exploration techniques, and resource evaluation. Designed for geologists, mining engineers, and industry professionals, it features cutting-edge research on ore genesis, mineral economics, and sustainable extraction practices. These resources enable informed decision-making and innovation in resource development, supporting responsible management of Earth's mineral wealth and addressing critical supply chain issues.

BooksJournals

    • Restoration and Sustainable Development of Mine-Affected Soils and Degraded Lands

      Advances for Natural Resources Conservation and Land Sustainability
      • 1st Edition
      • Jaume Bech + 3 more
      • English
      Restoration and Sustainable Development of Mine-Affected Soils and Degraded Lands: Advances for Natural Resources Conservation and Land Sustainability delves into the latest advancements in sustainable post-mining land development. This comprehensive volume begins by assessing environmental legacies from mining activities, considering their impacts on different environmental spheres such as the pedosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. It explores the interconnections between these spheres and the material fluxes that result from mining interventions, offering in-depth analysis for professionals in the field. The book also discusses the prediction and analysis of environmental benefits and challenges related to mine closures and the transition to renewable energy.It includes social and economic opportunities and obstacles of mine closure and the phasing out of coal, viewed from regional, national, and global standpoints. Management approaches are examined, considering environmental, socio-economic, and political challenges, drawing insights from successful experiences and lessons learned. Finally, the connection between soil and human health in mine-affected areas is analyzed, providing a valuable resource for mining engineers, soil scientists, and environmental resource managers.

    • Metallophytes in Mineral Mining

      • 1st Edition
      • Vimal Chandra Pandey + 3 more
      • English
      Metallophytes in Mineral Mining offers a cutting-edge look at the emerging technology of phytomining (or agromining) for the farming of metals in metal-rich soils. Metallophytes-based mineral mining is a rapidly growing field due to its potential contribution to socio-economic and ecological sustainability. The authors begin with a thorough overview of metallophytes and the analysis of metal-rich soils. The following chapters look closely at phytomining versus phytoremediation, metal transporter in hyperaccumulator plants, and microbe-assisted phytomining. The authors also carefully consider the implications of conserving metallophytes biodiversity. Finally, several case studies of valuable metals in agromining round out the chapters. This pioneering text provides the latest work and perspectives on metallophytes in mineral mining and how it may support sustainability.

    • Introduction to Mining Geostatistics

      Intuitive Applications With Excel and R
      • 1st Edition
      • Konstantinos Modis + 1 more
      • English
      Introduction to Mining Geostatistics: Intuitive Applications with Excel and R is a practical and accessible guide to geostatistical techniques in mineral exploration, with a strong focus on reserves estimation. Designed for students, researchers, and industry professionals, this book blends fundamental concepts of theory with hands-on applications, using Excel and R to simplify complex analyses.Key topics include:Essential Statistical Foundations – Master core data analysis techniques for ore reserves estimation.Sampling Strategies & Error Analysis – Minimize uncertainty and improve data reliability.Spatial Analysis & Kriging – Use variograms, covariance functions, and Kriging algorithms to estimate unknown values from borehole data.Multivariate Geostatistics – Model interdependent variables to enhance accuracy and predictive power.Stochastic Simulation – Explore alternative estimation methods for risk assessment and scenario analysis.Reserve Classification & Reporting – Understand global classification systems and key reserve estimation parameters.Filled with real-world case studies and practical examples, this book bridges theory and application, making geostatistics intuitive and approachable. Whether you're optimizing exploration projects, improving resource estimates, or conducting economic risk assessments, this guide equips you with the tools to make informed decisions.

    • Implementation and Interpretation of Machine and Deep Learning to Applied Subsurface Geological Problems

      Prediction Models Exploiting Well-Log Information
      • 1st Edition
      • David A. Wood
      • English
      Implementation and Interpretation of Machine and Deep Learning to Applied Subsurface Geological Problems: Prediction Models Exploiting Well-Log Information explores machine and deep learning models for subsurface geological prediction problems commonly encountered in applied resource evaluation and reservoir characterization tasks. The book provides insights into how the performance of ML/DL models can be optimized—and sparse datasets of input variables enhanced and/or rescaled—to improve prediction performances. A variety of topics are covered, including regression models to estimate total organic carbon from well-log data, predicting brittleness indexes in tight formation sequences, trapping mechanisms in potential sub-surface carbon storage reservoirs, and more.Each chapter includes its own introduction, summary, and nomenclature sections, along with one or more case studies focused on prediction model implementation related to its topic.

    • Artificial Intelligence for Subsurface Characterization and Monitoring

      • 1st Edition
      • Aria Abubakar
      • English
      Artificial Intelligence for Subsurface Characterization and Monitoring provides an in-depth examination of how deep learning accelerates the process of subsurface characterization and monitoring and provides an end-to-end solution. In recent years, deep learning has been introduced to the geoscience community to overcome some longstanding technical challenges. This book explores some of the most important topics in this discipline to explain the unique capability of deep learning in subsurface characterization for hydrocarbon exploration and production and for energy transition. Readers will discover deep learning methods that can improve the quality and efficiency of many of the key steps in subsurface characterization and monitoring.The text is organized into five parts. The first two parts explore deep learning for data enrichment and well log data, including information extraction from unstructured well reports as well as log data QC and processing. Next is a review of deep learning applied to seismic data and data integration, which also covers intelligent processing for clearer seismic images and rock property inversion and validation. The closing section looks at deep learning in time lapse scenarios, including sparse data reconstruction for reducing the cost of 4D seismic data, time-lapse seismic data repeatability enforcement, and direct property prediction from pre-migration seismic data.

    • Metallic Mineral Resources

      The Critical Components for a Sustainable Earth
      • 1st Edition
      • Daniel Müller + 2 more
      • English
      Metallic Mineral Resources: The Critical Components for a Sustainable Earth introduces the heterogeneous distribution of metal resources as well as the industrial use of metals. The main chapters then work systematically through abundant metal systems, scarce critical metal systems, rare critical metal systems, trace critical metal systems, and precious metal systems. The book wraps with a close examination of temporal distribution of mineral resources and an insightful discussion of the future of mineral resources. Researchers and engineers in economic geology and mining and exploration industries will find themselves returning to this key reference for years to come."The authors are world renown geoscientists who have a combined 120 years of successful international industry and award-winning academic experience which brings remarkable and diverse skill sets required for this very timely and highly relevant publication.Metallic Mineral Resources is meticulously edited and this review took much longer than normal due to the tremendous amount of information and research to be adsorbed and processed. Each chapter has logical format, excellent figures and tables allowing the reader to systematically follow the various themes and discussions. The book is unique in that a broad range of disciplines and geopolitics are drawn on to emphasize the current and future metal supply and demand issues. The authors have succeeded admirably in describing and highlighting in great detail, the critical components for a sustainable earth, at a time when these issues are now more relevant than ever before." Douglas J. Kirwin, Ore Geology Reviews

    • Seismic Geology and Basin Analysis

      Case Studies on Sedimentary Basins in China
      • 1st Edition
      • Changsong Lin
      • English
      Seismic Geology and Basin Analysis: Case Studies on Sedimentary Basins in China introduces the principles, approaches and techniques needed to solve problems using seismic data calibrated with well log, cores and outcrop profiles. The book emphasizes the adoption of seismic techniques into basin analysis and broadens the usage of seismic data in geological research which may be referred to as “seismic geology.” The principle of the book is mainly summarized from a series of case studies in different basins in China. In addition, through this book readers can understand the primary characteristics and basin fill evolution of major petroleum basins around the world. When starting research on a basin, researchers and professionals are confronted with how to reveal the general architecture of basin fills and depict three-dimensional geometry, and the internal architecture of subsurface depositional bodies and their arrangement, hence this book is a great tome on necessary areas of exploration.

    • Regional Geology and Tectonics

      Volume 2: Phanerozoic Rift Systems and Sedimentary Basins
      • 2nd Edition
      • Volume 2
      • Domenico Chiarella + 2 more
      • English
      Regional Geology and Tectonics, Volume Two: Phanerozoic Rift Systems and Sedimentary Basins, Second Edition, the second volume in a three-volume series, covers Phanerozoic regional geology and tectonics. This new edition features summaries of analogue and theoretical models, with new chapters on deepwater foldbelts and lithospheric extension as well as case studies on volcanic and passive margin basins. Experience in analyzing and assessing rifts— locations where the Earth’s outer shell and crust have been stretched over time by seismic activity—is critical for identifying Earth’s most lucrative hydrocarbon locations in which extraction is both efficient and safe, hence this updated volume is a necessary guide.Vast compilations of related industry data presented include regional seismic lines and cross sections and summaries of analogue and theoretical models, making this an essential backdrop to the structure and stratigraphy of various geological settings.

    • Petrophysics

      Theory and Practice of Measuring Reservoir Rock and Fluid Transport Properties
      • 5th Edition
      • Djebbar Tiab + 1 more
      • English
      Petrophysics: Theory and Practice of Measuring Reservoir Rock and Fluid Transport Properties, Fifth Edition is a seminal text on the field that delivers information for reservoir engineers, production engineers, and geoscience students who need to understand rock-fluid interactions in order to maximize reservoir performance and minimize emissions and environmental impacts. This new edition lays a foundation to petroleum geology, including an overview of pre- and post- carbon emission concerns, porosity and permeability, formation resistivity and water saturation, capillary pressure, wettability, applications of Darcy’s Law, naturally fractured reservoirs, stress effects on reservoir rock, reservoir characterization and well logs, and more.Each chapter synthesizes relevant theory, studies and advances, methods, procedures, calculations, definitions, exercises and assignments designed to reinforce learning.

    • Coal and Coalbed Gas

      Future Directions and Opportunities
      • 2nd Edition
      • Romeo M. Flores + 1 more
      • English
      Coal and Coalbed Gas: Future Directions and Opportunities, Second Edition introduces the latest in coal geology research and the engineering of gas extraction. Importantly, the second edition examines how, over the last 10 years, research has both changed focus and where it is conducted. This shift essentially depicts "a tale of two worlds"—one half (Western Europe, North America) moving away from coal and coalbed gas research and production towards cleaner energy resources, and the other half (Asia–Pacific region, Eastern Europe, South America) increasing both research and usage of coal. These changes are marked by a precipitous fall in coalbed gas production in North America; however, at the same time there has been a significant rise in coal and coalbed gas production in Australia, China, and India. The driver for higher production and its associated research is a quest for affordable energy and economic security that a large resource base brings to any country like Australia’s first large-scale coalbed gas to liquid natural gas projects supplying the demand for cleaner burning LNG to the Asian-Pacific region. Since the last edition of this book, global climate change policies have more forcibly emphasized the impact of methane from coal mines and placed these emissions equal to, or even more harmful than, CO2 emissions from fossil fuels in general. Governmental policies have prioritized capture, use, and storage of CO2, burning coal in new highly efficient low emission power plants, and gas pre-drainage of coal mines. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and China are also introducing new research into alternative, non-fuel uses for coal, such as carbon fibers, nanocarbons, graphene, soil amendments, and as an unconventional ore for critical elements. New to this edition: Each chapter is substantially changed from the 1st edition including expanded and new literature citations and reviews, important new data and information, new features and materials, as well as re-organized and re-designed themes. Importantly, three new chapters cover global coal endowment and gas potential, groundwater systems related to coalbed gas production and biogenic gas generation as well as the changing landscape of coal and coalbed gas influenced by global climate change and net-zero carbon greenhouse gas emissions. FOREWORD When I reviewed the first edition of this book, my initial thought was, "Do we need another book on coal geology?" and then I read it and realised, "Yes, we need this book" and my students downloaded copies as soon as it was available. So now we come to 2023, and a lot has happened in the past decade. For a different reason we might ask if we still need this book, or even coal geoscientists and engineers, as the world aims for rapid decarbonisation of the energy sector and a reduction of coal as a feedstock for industrial resources, like steel manufacture. Natural gas is earmarked as a transition fuel to enable the shift to renewables. In some basins, the source of that gas is directly from coalbed gas production or from conventional reservoirs that were charged by coal and terrestrial organic source rocks. Although the transition is escalating, there are projections that coal will remain part of our future, even after 2050, and can also provide alternative non-fuel resources (e.g., critical elements and carbon-based nanomaterials). Between now and then, we’d best ensure that we extract and utilise coal and coalbed gas as efficiently and safely as possible, that we mitigate any environmental and social impact of the process, and that we improve our certainty of predicting the behaviour of the material and material impacts. To do this we need to understand coal as a material and the inherent variability of its quality and behaviour as a source rock and host of coalbed gas. One can change the technologies but not the geological ground conditions or coal character of the targeted resource. The authors have taken on this ambitious endeavour during their careers and have attempted to capture their knowledge gained from first-hand experience in countries around the world and comprehensive review of published material, within this book. At least three generations of knowledge are drawn upon here. Tim Moore was a student of both Romeo Flores and his supervisor John Ferm, who was the "Warrior of Gentleness" when it came to coal research, teaching, and supervision. This book also reflects the broad and multidisciplinary aspects of coal geology and coal science and provides the tenets for one to understand different disciplines and how they interact to form an integrated view of the resource—technically... economically, and politically. Each chapter takes the reader through different concepts, first setting the scene by examining the status of coal and coalbed gas in a carbon-conscious world, then looking at the science behind coal as a source of gas and as a reservoir- in its own right. Further reading leads to learning about geological settings and the processes through time that led to present-day endowments around the globe and this theme continues throughout the book with detailed examples from different countries. Personally, I like the emphasis on the depositional environments that lead to peat accumulation and preservation—it’s all about the ingredients—which leads nicely into the world of coal macerals and minerals, and why they matter. Coalification and its role in changing the chemistry and material properties of coal is covered from a reservoir perspective, as is the role of biogenic processes. These have produced some of the enormous gas resources we exploit today and could also provide a future circular economy for neo-biogenic gas. The role of groundwater in this past and potentially future endeavour is presented, along with possible adverse effects where there is unexpected communication with regional and local aquifers and surface assets that detract from environmental and social licence. In addition to describing the geology and engineering technologies required to explore for, access, and utilise these resources, the book also provides insights into geostatistical and economic modelling for reserves estimation and challenges as reservoirs become more geologically and politically complex for extraction and alternatively, for injection and carbon sequestration. The final chapters revisit and integrate concepts presented in the book in order to examine global gas production and the geographic shifts in production and research that have occurred over the past decade(s). The also show how government and the market play a role, and project future trends. The authors provide discussion points for the outlook of coal as a fuel feedstock in a carbon-constrained world and the ongoing search for options and alternative non-fuel uses of coal while highlighting the important role that coal and coalbed gas still play during the transition period and beyond. There is much to learn from this book, which is based on decades of observing and interpreting patterns and trends in coal and coal-bearing basins. There is a growing trend towards using machine learning and artificial intelligence to find patterns in data and provide solutions. I’d suggest that domain intelligence, such as that provided in this book, is critical to supervising this process and is required for understanding and validating the outputs upon which many decisions are made and will continue to be made in the future. So yes, we need this book and I invite you to read, learn, and form your own ideas. If you find any gaps—write about them. Joan S. Esterle Emeritus Professor Vale Chair of Coal Geosciences The University of Queensland, AustraliaMay 2023

Related subjects

Coal geology

Ore geology

Petroleum geology and engineering