GEOLOGY, ITS MAIN BRANCHES, RELATIONSHIP WITHOTHER 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 Earths 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 earths origin, place in solar system and its relation to the universe

Branches of Geology
Geology is divided into several fields, which can be grouped under the major headings of
physical and historical geology.

A) Physical Geology
Physical geology includes mineralogy, the study of the chemical composition and structure of
minerals; petrology, the study of the composition and origin of rocks; geomorphology, the study
of the origin of landforms and their modification by dynamic processes; geochemistry, the study
of the chemical composition of earth materials and the chemical changes that occur within the
earth and on its surface; geophysics, the study of the behavior of rock materials in response to
stresses and according to the principles of physics; sedimentology, the science of the erosion and
deposition of rock particles by wind, water, or ice; structural geology, the study of the forces that
deform the earth's rocks and the description and mapping of deformed rock bodies; economic
geology, the study of the exploration and recovery of natural resources, such as ores and

petroleum; and engineering geology, the study of the interactions of the earth's crust with humanmade structures such as tunnels, mines, dams, bridges, and building foundations.

B) Historical Geology
Historical geology deals with the historical development of the earth from the study of its rocks.
They are analyzed to determine their structure, composition, and interrelationships and are
examined for remains of past life. Historical geology includes paleontology, the systematic study
of past life forms; stratigraphy, of layered rocks and their interrelationships; paleogeography, of
the locations of ancient land masses and their boundaries; and geologic mapping, the
superimposing of geologic information upon existing topographic maps.
Historical geologists divide all time since the formation of the earliest known rocks (c.4 billion
years ago) into four major divisionsPrecambrian time and the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and
Cenozoic eras. Each, except the Cenozoic, ended with profound changes in the disposition of the
earth's continents and mountains and was characterized by the emergence of new forms of life
Broad cyclical patterns, which run through all historical geology, include a period of mountain
and continent building followed by one of erosion and, in turn, by a new period of elevation.

1)
Physical Geology: It is the study of the process and agents which brings about the
changes on the earth.
2)

Mineralogy: 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)
Geochemistry: It concerned with composition of earth materials and the chemical
changes that occur within the earth and on its surface
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
nonmetallic ores
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.
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