2023 Mining and Mineral Symposium
September 27–30, 2023
Butte, Montana (Announcement)
- Main
- Agenda
- Speakers
- Talks
- Lodging
- Poster Session
- Sponsorship Opportunities
Join professional and amateur mineralogists, geologists, and miners as they share their knowledge of mineral deposits and stimulate interest in pursuing new studies and discoveries. The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology is pleased to host the 2023 Montana Mining and Mineral Symposium September 27–30 at Montana Tech University located in Butte, Montana.
Submit an abstract, extended abstract, or short paper
to: Steven Quane
squane@mtech.edu
Speaker registration deadline August 25, 2023.
FEES
Symposium registration:
Registration: $150
Student Registration: $50 (Free for registered graduate student giving a presentation/poster; free for registered undergraduates)
FEATURED EVENTS
Wednesday, September 27th, 2023
Short Course: “Portable Analytical Field Methods”
Enrollment Limit: 20
Fee: $100 professionals/$10 Students
Thursday, September 28th, 2023
Oral Presentations (including lunch) followed by an evening Poster Session at Montana Tech, with appetizers and a no-host bar.
Friday, September 29th, 2023
Oral Presentations (including lunch) followed by an evening Map Chat at the Butte Brewing & Pizza Company.
Saturday, September 30th, 2023
Field Trip. Morning and afternoon tours of the Montana Resources Continental Pit in Butte, MT. Fee $20. Space will be limited.
Agenda
Wednesday, September 27, 2023: 9 a.m. to Noon: 1–4 p.m.
| Short course: “Portable Analytical Field Methods” | Short course: This workshop will cover the applications of common portable instrumentation in mineral exploration, with an emphasis on exploration for critical minerals. The morning session will introduce the fundamentals of portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet fluorescence, and gamma-ray spectrometry with opportunities to gain hands-on experience with these tools. Attendees are encouraged to bring samples they wish to analyze with these instruments. An optional afternoon session will cover the processing and interpretation of some data collected with these instruments using ioGAS and The Spectral Geologist. |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m.–Noon | Interactive working session |
| Noon–1 p.m. | Lunch (included) |
| 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Interactive working session |
Thursday, September 28, 2023: 9 a.m. to Noon: 1–4 p.m.
| 9:00 a.m.– Noon | Talk session |
| 9:00 a.m.– 9:50 a.m. (approximately) | Opening remarks–Garrett Smith: Overview of Current Mining Operations in Montana |
| 1:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. | Talk session |
| 4:00 p.m.– 6:30 p.m. | Poster session & No host bar |
| Uuno Sahinen Award Presentation |
|---|
Friday, September 29th, 2023: 9 a.m. to Noon: 1–4 p.m.
| 9:00 a.m.– Noon | Talk session |
| 9:00 a.m.– 9:40 a.m. (approximately) | KEYNOTE–Allen Andersen (USGS) EarthMRI Program with Overview with Example from our NW Region |
| 9:40 a.m.– 10:20 a.m. (approximately) | KEYNOTE–Eric Anderson (USGS) EarthMRI-a Montana perspective |
| 1:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. | Talk session |
| 5:00 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. | Map Chat, beer & pizza at Butte Brewing & Pizza Company |
Saturday, September 30, 2023
| Field Trip: Morning and Afternoon tours, Fee $20 | Montana Resources Continental Pit in Butte. Space will be limited. |
Invited Speakers
Garrett Smith (Opening)
Overview of Current Mining Operations in Montana
Garrett Smith is a geochemist, currently working for the Montana DEQ’s Hard Rock Mining Section in Helena. Originally from New Mexico, he returned to his ancestral roots in Montana to complete his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Montana Tech. With an early emphasis on stable isotope geochemistry, his project experience includes the hydrogeology of abandoned and active mines, characterization of geothermal systems, hard rock mine permitting, and public outreach. Prior to his current position, Garrett was an assistant research professor with the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology in Butte.
Allen Andersen (USGS)
KEYNOTE: EarthMRI Program with Overview with Example from our NW Region
Overview of Current Mining Operations in Montana.
Allen is a Research Geologist in the USGS Spokane, WA field office for Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. Allen works on projects related to economic geology.
Allen's broader interests include the genesis of magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits, geochemistry applied to the assessment of critical mineral resources, fluid-rock interaction, and ore-forming processes of critical mineral deposits. More specifically, his wok focuses on the geology of rare earth element (REE) deposits, the behavior of REE in fluids and carbonatite magmas, and mineral resources associated with Paleogene magmatism across western North America. Allen also maintains interest in the formation of magmatic ore deposits enriched in platinum-group elements, chromium, nickel, copper, cobalt, titanium, and vanadium. Prior to joining the USGS, he spent more than six summers as a consulting geologist in the mineral exploration industry.
Eric Anderson (USGS)
KEYNOTE: EarthMRI—A Montana perspective
Eric Anderson is a research geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, CO. His research is focused on solving mineral resource problems through the theory and application of geophysical methods, primarily magnetic, radiometric, gravimetric, and electromagnetic. He integrates geophysical data with geology and mineral deposit models to understand the three-dimensional framework of ore deposit formation, and he also applies geophysical methods for geologic mapping purposes. He works mostly in the western U.S. on mineral deposits that form in convergent margin settings.
Talks
Coming early September!
Thursday, September 28, 2023
| 9:00 a.m.– 9:20 | INTRO | INTRODUCTION TO 2023 MINING & MINERAL SYMPOSIUM |
| 9:20 a.m.– 10:20 a.m. (approximately) | Garrett Smith | Overview of Mining Operations in Montana |
| 10:20 p.m.– 10:40 p.m. | BREAK | BREAK |
| 10:40 p.m.– 11:00 p.m. | George Brimhall | Evidence for Hydrogen Diffusion in Porphyry Copper Deposit Ore Genesis and Alteration Mineral Zoning |
| 11:00 p.m.– 11:20 p.m. | Mario Guzman | Evidence for High-Level Porphyritic Intrusion Below the Sunnyside Epithermal Vein Deposit, Colorado |
| 11:20 p.m.– 11:40 p.m. | Jarred Zimmerman | Controlling Hydrothermal Fluid Flow and Changing Porosity in the Tuff of Sulphur Creek, Yellowstone National Park, Wyomin |
| 11:40 p.m.– 12:00 p.m. | BREAK | BREAK |
| 12:00 p.m.– 12:20 p.m. | Katharina Pfaff | Mineralogy Across Scales: An Example from the Idaho Copper Belt |
| 12:20 p.m.– 12:40 p.m. | Gregory Bell | Ruby Graphite Project - Early Exploration Results |
| 12:40 p.m.– 13:00 p.m. | Amanda Griffith | Update on Montana Resources |
| 13:00 p.m.– 14:00 p.m. | LUNCH | LUNCH |
| 14:00 p.m.– 14:20 p.m. | Adrian Van Rythoven | Critical Mineral Potential of the Phosphoria Formation in Southwestern Montana |
| 14:20 p.m.– 14:40 p.m. | Virginia Gillerman | Nd-enriched Lehmi Pass REE-Th-Fe District, Idaho-Montana: Mid-Paleozoic Mineralization from Crustal-scale Hydrothermal Circulation |
| 14:40 p.m.– 15:00 p.m. | Reed Lewis | Critical Minerals Research Efforts by the Idaho Geological Society |
| 11:40 p.m.– 12:00 p.m. | BREAK | BREAK |
| Uuno Sahinen Award Presentation |
|---|
Friday, September 29th, 2023: 9 a.m. to Noon: 1–4 p.m.
| 9:00 a.m.– Noon | Talk session |
| 9:00 a.m.– 9:40 a.m. (approximately) | KEYNOTE–Allen Andersen (USGS) EarthMRI Program with Overview with Example from our NW Region |
| 9:40 a.m.– 10:20 a.m. (approximately) | KEYNOTE–Eric Anderson (USGS) EarthMRI-a Montana perspective |
| 1:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. | Talk session |
| 5:00 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. | Map Chat, beer & pizza at Butte Brewing & Pizza Company |
Saturday, September 30, 2023
| Field Trip: Morning and Afternoon tours, Fee $20 | Montana Resources Continental Pit in Butte. Space will be limited. |
Hotel price recommendations
Butte has a wide range of lodging options available. Potential accommodations can be found here:
https://southwestmt.com/listings/butte-silver-bow-chamber-of-commerce/
and here: https://butteelevated.com/stay/
The Comfort Inn Butte has offered a special rate for the dates of the 2023 Montana Mining and Mineral Symposium.
Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly 406.494.8850 and asking for the group name: 2023 Mining & Mineral Symposium or by clicking booking link: 2023 Mining and Mineral Symposium Booking Link.
There are a limited number of rooms and the special rate is valid until midnight of Sept. 19, 2023.
Poster Session
Coming early September!
2023 Mining and Mineral Symposium Sponsorship Opportunities Guide
Covellite Level ($5,000)
This level sponsorship includes the following:
- Exclusive title sponsor for Beer and Pizza “MapChat” evening at Butte Brewing, Friday, September 29th, 2023.
- Two graduate students symposium fees.
- A booth at symposium poster session Thursday afternoon, September 28th.
- Two symposium entrance fees for sponsor employees.
- Logo prominently displayed at Beer and Pizza “MapChat” and on signage throughout the symposium.
Pyrite Level ($2,500)
This level sponsorship includes the following:
- Exclusive title sponsor for poster reception refreshments (bar and snacks).
- Two graduate students symposium fees.
- A booth at symposium poster session Thursday afternoon, September 28th.
- Two symposium entrance fees for sponsor employees.
- Logo prominently displayed at poster reception and on signage throughout the symposium.
Quartz Level ($1,000)
This level sponsorship includes the following:
- Title sponsor for coffee break refreshments during symposium.
- Two graduate students symposium fees.
- A booth at symposium poster session Thursday afternoon, September 28th.
- Two symposium entrance fees for sponsor employees.
- Logo on signage throughout the symposium.
Note: Any of the above can be co-sponsored (i.e., Two Pyrite level efforts can co-sponsor the Beer and Pizza “MapChat”).
Booth Level ($250)
This level sponsorship includes the following:
- A booth at symposium poster session Thursday afternoon, September 28th.
- Two graduate students symposium fees.
- One symposium entrance fee for sponsor employee.
Gneiss Lake Tobacco Roots
Sluice Boxes State Park