CONTACT: Dr Elisabetta Mariani, mariani@liverpool.ac.uk
Research Theme
Society is built on rock, from which we source critical minerals. These minerals are essential constituents of the infrastructure that must be developed for the production of renewable energy (wind turbines, solar panels, batteries) for a net zero future.
It is therefore crucial that we research and develop sustainable routes to exploration, extraction, substitution and recycling of critical minerals to underpin the transition to green energy sources.
In the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Liverpool we have expertise in the tectonic, metamorphic and igneous processes that form and concentrate critical minerals, and in the geologic environments that host them. We offer specialist analytical, experimental and mathematical skill-sets for the rapid characterisation of ore minerals, for testing the physical variables that control mineralisation, and for modelling magma and fluid flow.
Research Team and Expertise
We work with industry and other external organisations on a range of projects relevant to critical minerals and welcome new research and commercial collaborations that could include access to Liverpool state-of-the-art analytical and experimental facilities, and to expert Liverpool staff consultancy on pressing critical mineral research questions.
Dr Elisabetta Mariani, Reader in Earth Materials, is an internationally recognised expert in Earth materials microstructure and mineralogy research. She has over 20 years of experience in quantitative microscopy using electron backscatter diffraction and is currently focussed on Critical Minerals research, addressing major environmental and global supply chain challenges.
Dr David McNamara, Senior Lecturer in Geothermal Energy, has a specific research focus on hydrothermal alteration and vein mineralogy that is applicable to understanding the mineralisation processes in geothermal resources, carbon sequestration and mineral processes controlling critical materials development.
Dr Janine Kavanagh, Reader in Volcanology, is an expert in the physical processes of magma intrusion related to the development of volcanic plumbing systems, where many of the world’s critical minerals are found. Kavanagh uses a multidisciplinary approach to study magma intrusion dynamics in carbonatites, kimberlites and layered mafic intrusions.
Dr Katy Chamberlain, Lecturer in Igneous Petrology, is an expert in the chemistry of magmatic products during crustal evolution. The geochemical methods used for classical igneous petrology can help understand the timescales over which critical mineral deposits evolve, and the optimal conditions under which they form.
Professor John Wheeler, Professor of Geology, has 40 years of experience in microstructures and microchemical fingerprints in rock physical and chemical evolution, including metamorphic and microstructural studies, and trace element and radiogenic isotope studies. He pioneered numerical methods for analysing electron backscatter diffraction data and works on reactive fluid flow modelling.
Facilities
Scanning Electron Microscopy Shared Research Facility (SEM SRF)
To understand the processes that form critical minerals via the rapid, multiscale and quantitative characterization of mineral microstructures and chemistry.
Materials Innovation Factory (MIF)
To assess critical mineral concentrations from the distribution of trace elements measured using Laser-Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques.
MAGMA Lab
To study the physical processes of magma intrusion through modelling of magma and fluid flow in volcanic plumbing systems, where many of the world’s critical minerals are found.
Other state-of-the-art facilities that can be accessed at the University of Liverpool include Micro X-ray Computed Tomography (Micro X-ray CT) to image materials in 3D without the need to section samples, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), for nanoscale materials analysis.
In partnership with: Tektonik Consulting and Rupert Resources
Challenge
To investigate the microstructural signature of gold and Rare Earth Elements (REE) deposits in greenschist samples, and determine the large-scale structures and processes that control gold and REE concentration.
Solution
Using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), greenschist mineral microstructures were analysed to determine the effect of multiple deformation events on gold and REE mineralisation. Gold within pyrite grains was remobilised to pyrite grain boundaries through fracturing and dissolution-precipitation processes. REE are held in monazite grains within a quartz and muscovite matrix.
Impact
Gold at pyrite grain boundaries and monazite in a quartz-muscovite matrix can be extracted via comminution and non-intensive processing. These results may guide decision-making in gold and REE exploration and extraction strategies.