INSTRUCTORS GUIDE TO GEOSCIENTIST PROFILES

The purpose of this classroom set of geoscientist profiles is twofold: (1) to introduce students to geoscience careers, and (2) to enhance student understanding of the relevance of geoscience to their community and life via description of work performed by geoscience professionals. These profiles have been written and compiled specifically for 9th grade Idaho Earth science classrooms; the focus is on professionals working in Idaho (largely limited to southwest Idaho, location of interviewer). While most of the professionals profiled fit into the geoscience category, a few hail from other fields relevant to the Earth science classroom. Some profiles are more elaborate than others as they are designed to provide insight unique to a given professional specialty or position.

The classroom instructor may make use of these profiles in any way he/she deems beneficial and motivational for his/her students under the condition that use incorporates respect for the professionals profiled. Suggested uses include: (1) requiring each student to study each profile and complete each worksheet within course duration, (2) requiring each student to study one profile and complete corresponding worksheet for oral presentation to classmates, (3) optional activity for students who finish work early. Extended activity may be given to students in form of various assignments such as: (1) interview an additional professional and create a profile and worksheet to add to classroom set, (2) compare/contrast two profiles, (3) conduct research/ investigation into topic relevant to a given profile.

I do suggest that an English dictionary and geologic dictionary/ textbook glossary be available to students when they read the profiles.

GEOSCIENTIST PROFILE #13

GEOSCIENTIST:
Kim Richardson, Geologist.

EMPLOYED BY: Kinross DeLamar Mining Co. (most recent owner of DeLamar mine site).
I have been at DeLamar Mine for 14 yrs.

Table of Contents

Work Description | Recent Project | Past Employment | Education | Salary | Comments | Worksheet | Worksheet Key

My responsibilities include exploration drilling plans, pit design, mine planning, budgeting, and ore control. Exploration drilling, when carefully planned according to geologic interpretations and in conjunction with assaying and other metallurgical testing, helps us understand the geometry of the ore body, where the highest concentrations of silver and gold exist, and consequently, where we can most economically mine a pit. Pit design refers to planning the size, geometry, and access construction of a proposed open pit mining site. Aside from targeting ore, pit designing requires consideration of economic evaluations, mechanical limitations, and geologic parameters. The DeLamar Mine site includes numerous carefully located open-pit mines. Ore control refers to directing rock excavated from the pits. Based upon sample drilling, assaying, and geology, I must predetermine which rock is categorized as waste, which as low grade, and which as ore.

I now spend 75% of my work time in the office, far more than I did ten years ago. My office is located at the mine site, and I am usually located at a computer. I use a computer for numerous functions, ranging from optimizing pit designs by computer block model to budgeting.

RECENT PROJECT: Since Kinross became the new owner of the DeLamar Mine, we have increased productivity. This has involved a lot of developmental drilling to delineate additional reserves near our existing pits. With the use of improved (processing) techniques, we are economically excavating deeper and wider. In 1991, the mill was enlarged and has increased ore throughput by 50%. The result has been good: more ore is being milled, making us economically viable during times of low precious metals prices.

PAST EMPLOYMENT: I began working at DeLamar as my first post-graduate employment. I have been here through four different mine owners. I began as a mine geologist, then Senior Mine Geologist, then Mine Superintendent, now Superintendent of Technical Services.

EDUCATION: B.S. in Geology and Anthropology, College of William and Mary.

SALARY: Has more than tripled since I began working. A superintendent's pay is significantly higher than entry level pay.

COMMENTS: I enjoy working at this location, 6500 feet high. This is a very pretty mine site when compared to many Nevada mine sites. DeLamar is a world class silver and gold project. It has withstood low silver and gold prices. Since there is a small professional group at the mine, I have the opportunity for a wide variety of work experiences.

Format and editing by P. Antrim, M.S. Ed.: 1994; with special thanks to Kim Richardson for volunteering herself to this profile.

GEOSCIENTIST PROFILE #13 WORKSHEET

GEOSCIENTIST: Kim Richardson. Geologist

1. What is Ms. Richardson's position at DeLamar Mine?

2. What is mined at DeLamar?

3. What type of mining process is being used at DeLamar? (open pit, underground mining, or placer mining)

4. What is the purpose of exploration drilling at DeLamar?

5. What is an assay?

6. What is ore?

7. Explain one way in which computers are useful in the mining industry.

8. What steps have been taken by Kinross, the recent owner of DeLamar Mine, to keep the DeLamar Mine open in spite of low silver and gold prices?

9. a) For how many different mining companies has Ms. Richardson worked?

b) At how many different mines has she worked?

c) What correlation might you make between number of years working, position, and salary?

Extended Activity:

a) Research the history of DeLamar Mine and Silver City. Idaho and write a report on your findings.

b) Research the geology of the DeLamar Mine and write a report on your findings.

KEY WORKSHEET GEOSCIENTIST PROFILE #13

1. Superintendent of Technical Services (for the geology and engineering team)

2. silver primarily, gold secondarily.

3. open pit

4. The purpose of exploration drilling at DeLamar is to assist in determining the best exact place to construct an open pit. (sample answer)

5. An assay is a test which measures the proportions of valuable metals in ore.

6. Ore is rock which contains enough valuable mineral (or metal) that it can be economically mined (i.e. at profit).

7. Computers are useful in the mining industry for a number of purposes. Two uses include budgeting mining costs/income and aiding design of open pits for mining.

8. Kinross has increased productivity at DeLamar by providing funds for increased exploration drilling, improved excavation, and mill enlargement.

9a) four different mining companies

b) only one, DeLamar

c) (sample answer) The more years you work and the higher your position of responsibility, the higher will be your salary.