Higher Degree by Research Application Portal

The project aims to combine advanced spatial analytical techniques for emergent pattern recurrence with dynamic non-linear system models, to deliver improved mineral system models and tools for mineral exploration and targeting, focussing on camp-scale. Fundamentally, this project will test two hypotheses:

1.      “The distribution of giant ore deposits is more ordered than for small deposits” and therefore inherently more predictable. 

And

2)    “Higher degrees of ordering result from greater system self-organization”.

Research questions to address include:

·         Does regular spacing emerge only for large deposits or does it emerge proportionally for a range of deposit size classes, as expected for a multifractal system?

·         Why do some well-endowed and well-explored belts have periodic patterns where others don’t?

·         Is spatial periodicity an emergent and/or inherited system pattern? If both, which settings are optimal for formation of giants?

·         Do controls on spatial periodicity differ for different mineral systems (e.g. magmatic Ni, Cu, Au)?

·         Can spatial periodicity in immature / early mover belts be predicted from other map proxies?

·         Can spatial analytical techniques find useful map proxies for endowment patterns, system organization, order, and entropy?

Approaches: A threefold approach is proposed combining: (a) spatial analyses of pattern complexity and order, (b) 3D computational modelling and simulation of fluid flow patterns, investigating the interdependencies leading to self-organization of mineral systems, and (c) field validation.

These approaches balances data-driven analyses with conceptual hypothesis testing and would differ from many previous studies by embracing advanced systems thinking. New techniques for quantifying and mapping system entropy, network nodes, order and multifractal dimensions will be tested. A key aspect will be to apply Takens’ theorem, which holds that the behaviour of every component of the system is encoded in the behaviour of all others, to seek useful map proxies for system behaviour.

Strategic Energy Resources together with UWA scholarship.

Dr. Nico Thebaud

nicolas.thebaud@uwa.edu.au

PhD candidate needs strengths in multi-scale structural interpretation as well as advanced mathematic skills in order to familiar with numeric modelling and dynamic systems thinking. Pre-existing experience in numerical modelling will be a great advantage

Supervision will be conducted by Nico Thebaud, Nick Hayward, Alison Ord and Bruce Hobbs.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a program of independent, supervised research that is assessed solely on the basis of a thesis, sometimes including a creative work component, that is examined externally. The work presented for a PhD must be a substantial and original contribution to scholarship, demonstrating mastery of the subject of interest as well as an advance in that field of knowledge. 

Visit the course webpage for full details of this course including admission requirements, course rules and the relevant CRICOS code/s.