Kenneth Hickey

Biography

B.Sc - Auckland University M.Sc. (Hons) - Auckland University Ph.D. - James Cook University Research Fellow - James Cook University; 1994-2000 Research Associate - Mineral Deposit Research Unit, UBC; 2000-2007 B.Sc - Auckland University M.Sc. (Hons) - Auckland University Ph.D. - James Cook University Research Fellow - James Cook University; 1994-2000 Research Associate - Mineral Deposit Research Unit, UBC; 2000-2007

Research Interest

My main research interest is to understand the processes involved in the genesis of mineral deposits from a multidisciplinary perspective. The combined application of aspects of geomorphology, thermochronology, geochronology, geochemistry, structural geology, regional geology, tectonics and geophysics yield a more complete picture on the evolution of ore systems, including the varied factors responsible for the spatio-temporal distribution of ore, than the application of any one discipline by itself. Field relationships are a core requirement for understanding the geological framework of any mineral deposit and much of my research is based around geological mapping. Specific research projects are as follows: Current projects Post-mineralization weathering, denudation and subsequent burial of Carlin-type Au-mineralization at the Cortez Hills deposit: Implications for finding Au-deposits in bedrock under cover. (2009-current). The main goal of this project is to establish the post-mineralization history of Carlin-type Au-deposits with the aim of being better able to discover hypogene/oxidized ore in bedrock beneath post-mineralization cover. Although the research is primarily based around the Cortez Hills deposit and to a lesser degree the Pipeline deposit, the results will have important implications for other regions of Carlin-type mineralization in Nevada. The research project has three main themes: (i) Defining the history of weathering and erosion in bedrock across the Cortez-Pipeline region and relating this back to the patterns and timing of sedimentation in the post-mineralization sedimentary basins; (ii) Documenting the hypogene setting for mineralization in the upper parts of the Cortez Hills deposit and assessing the physico-chemical expression and timing of the post-mineralization weathering and supergene modification of the primary ore; and (iii) To assess the potential for directly detecting buried bedrock deposits by dispersion of its geochemical signature into overlying sedimentary cover. This project is sponsored by Barrick Gold Corporation. Research team Dr Kenneth Hickey Thomas Bissig Research Associate (part time) Trent Newkirk, Ph.D. student Oliver Friesen, B.Sc. Hons student (2013) Wes Perrin, B.Sc. Hons student (2012)