An existing mining company wants to a build a tailings dam for their mining oper

Question

An existing mining company wants to a build a tailings dam for their mining operation on the Ringo Diorite that contains base metals and is seeking a suitable site that will ensure a permanent storage of the contaminated material. Their choice of locations is limited to roughly a 7km x 5km region, the visible area of the regional MiddleBack Geology Map. The company needs to understand the geology as fault reactivation is common in this region and can result in the failing of the tailings dam.

A) Regional Geology Task: You are required to establish a geological column and determine the geology history of the region in order to help identify 3 potential dam sites for a tailings dam (Regional Geology Map; Topographic Map; Appendix 1). Therefore, a brief summary of the geological history of the region should be discussed, including a note on the tectonic setting. The brief summary includes a geological column that has the oldest unit at the base and the youngest at the top. It may be helpful to also identify structural features, such as the six major fault zones that are detailed, within this column.

Factors that should be identified within the geological history include aspects such as unconformities, igneous events, deformational events and metamorphic grade. Faults should be identified along with the movement along these faults. The plate tectonic settings need to be identified, where possible, and placed within the geological history. Evidence needs to be included regarding the principle of superposition for the geological history and appendices may be used.

B) Cross Sections:

Two cross sections, with no vertical exaggeration, need to be constructed that best highlighted the geology of the region, particularly focusing on where the potential dam sites could be located (1 page):

An initial cross section needs to be constructed running north east – south west.

A second cross section running north west – south east should be constructed.

25 F1 Lithologies Ringo Gabbre a Fed Porphyry Pinksyenite Holy Quataite Contours & Selected Lithologies A. Reach Sandstone Trgeon Gneiss S Retirement Rhyolite Amphibolite Schise Pegasus Pegmatite a Pegasus Pegmatite Sphins Delete Hotel Hornfels Retirement Rhyolite Far Fern o. met Mendels Sphin Dolorida kilometres ORSR 2017 Dugan Andesite ocrinold Limestone Prayer Granodiorite That far Far (FSF) kilometres RSR 2017 s SS Ssssssss NN NNN . SS SSSSS SSSSSS S IS • As S E SS SESS Figure 1: Geology Map Figure 2: Topography

Explanation / Answer

Answer- Geological history of the region- according to law of super position in the undisturbed strata the layer lying at the bottom is oldest and layer lying at the top is youngest. Reach sandstone is youngest rock the region it overlies the sphinex dolerite that is dike that cuts all the strata and also younger than all activated fault. the implacement of also dike occured after fault activation. Retirement rhyolite is oldst rock of the region. region is also characterized by 6 fault zone. these fault zone are still active. the lithology of the region are characterized by the following

igneous rock- diorite, dolerite, granodiorite, syenite, andesite and rhyolite

sedimentary rock- sandstone, limestone, chert and mudstone

metamorphic rock- quartzite, schist, phyllite, marble and gneiss

the tailing dam is located at Ringo Diorite that is used as permanent storage for the contaminated material. the fault is extended in NW to SE direction. the region resent convergent plate margin. all the igenous rock represent are felsic in composition and andsitic rock are charcterstics of alkaline magmatism that are associated with subduction zone environment. and also present slate, schist, phyllite and gneiss represent zone of regional metamorphism along elevated geothermal gradient, it also represent dynamothermal metamorphism.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.