What controls critical metal geometallurgy in post-subduction magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits?

Critical metals such as tellurium, bismuth, and platinum group metals are essential for green technologies for the energy transition. These metals are often associated with more abundant metals like copper (Cu) and gold (Au), and could be extracted as by-products during ore processing, securing future supplies and minimising environmental impact. However, this is currently rarely done due to a poor understanding of the geometallurgy of critical metals - where within ore deposits they are hosted mineralogically, spatially, and physically – and what geological processes control this. Post-subduction magmatic-hydrothermal Cu and Au deposits are commonly critical metal enriched and so are a likely by-product source. This project will investigate the processes controlling critical metal geometallurgy in the exploration-stage post-subduction magmatic-hydrothermal deposits of Newmont Lake in British Columbia, Canada, in order to: 1) Define the geometallurgy of critical metals in the Newmont Lake deposits through quantitative mineralogy. 2) Characterise the fluid history of these deposits and identify the mineralising fluids through fluid inclusion and stable isotope analysis. 3) Test whether fluids generated in post-subduction settings are particularly favourable for critical metal transport through fluid modelling and data comparison, feeding into a global model of critical mineral enrichment to help mining companies extract critical metals more efficiently and with less environmental impact. This project provides an opportunity to work with mineral exploration company Commander Resources, and undertake fieldwork in Canada, providing valuable professional skills. This project will also collaborate with researchers at the University of British Columbia Okangen through joint workshops and lab visits