Geology, Its Main Branches, Relationship With Other Sciences & Role In Mining Engineering 1

GEOLOGY, ITS MAIN BRANCHES, RELATIONSHIP WITH

OTHER SCIENCES & ROLE IN MINING ENGINEERING

Definition
The word Geology derived from the Greek word, Gaia means the earth and logos,
science knowledge.

Geology is the study of the Earth, the materials of which it is made, the structure
of those materials, and the processes acting upon them. It includes the study of
organisms that have inhabited our planet. An important part of geology is the
study of how Earth’s materials, structures, processes and organisms have changed
over time

Relationship with Other Sciences

1. Physics: In connection with the structure of earth

2. Chemistry: To study the composition of earth

3. Biology: In Connection with the evolution of living things

4. Astrology: The study the earth’s origin, place in solar system and its relation to
other universe

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Geology, Its Main Branches, Relationship With Other Sciences & Role In Mining Engineering 2

Branches of Geology

1. PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
It is the study of the process and agents which brings about the changes on
the earth.

2. MINEROLOGY
It is the study of the minerals

3. PETROLOGY
It is the study of the composition, origin, occurrence and types of the Rocks

4. GEOMORPHOLOGY
The study of the origin of landforms and their modification by dynamic
processes

5. OCEANOGRAPHY
Study of the ocean and their basin

6. GEOPHYSICS
This branch of geology deals with the application of principle of physics to
the study of earth.

7. GEOCHMISTRY
It concerned with composition of earth materials and the chemical changes
that occur within the earth and on its surface

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8. PALEONTOLOGY
The study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times as
represented by the fossils of plants, animals and other organisms.

9. STRATIGRAPHY
The study of rock strata, especially the distribution, deposition, and age of
sedimentary rocks

10. STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY

The study of the forces that deform the earth's rocks and the description and
mapping of deformed rock bodies

11. ECONOMIC GEOLOGY:

It involves the commercial and industrial uses of the earth resources.

12. HYDROLOGY:
It is the study of the surface and subsurface water.

13. PETROLEUM GEOLOGY

It is the study of the origin and occurrence of oil and gas.

14. ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

Application of geology in the solving the engineering problems

15. MINING GEOLOGY

It is the structure of the exploration and extraction of metallic and non
metallic ores.

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16. HISTORICAL GEOLOGY

Historical geology deals with the historical development of the earth from the
study of its rocks.

ROLE OF GEOLOGY IN MINING INDUSTRY

Geology has the vital role to the mining industry because it helps to ensure that the
minerals are efficiently extracted from the deposit for maximum profit and to
locate deposits of important minerals and determine whether the quantities are
large enough to make mining economically viable.

Typical work activities of geology in mining industry include: mapping, recording

and compiling geological data in and around the mine, exploring, dating and
sampling mineral deposits, interpreting and mapping the geology of a mine,
preparing and presenting data; checking the quality levels of materials produced
for reserve assessment, classifying resources, assessing geo-techniques, and
updating detailed databases etc.

This provides the mining engineer with details of the location, structure and
distribution of ore in a deposit. Furthermore, it delineates the ore reserves on
which the mine's life depends, using geo-scientific techniques to predict the grade
and structure of ore bodies in unknown areas. It plays a crucial role in the
optimization of the ore body and is intimately involved in the mine planning.

Geology provide advice and expertise on the geological aspects of development

and production in mine, pit and quarry sites. In overseeing drilling and surface
exploration programs, and also help to determine likely directions for future
development.

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Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, geology make the mining engineers

to assure the quality of the minerals, rocks and gems extracted, as well as ensuring
the safety of the extraction process. As mine geologists are often responsible for
estimating the mine reserve, numeracy and computer literacy usually form a key
part of the job role.

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