People
Mathias Burisch
Head of the Mineral Systems Analysis Group / Assistant Professor
I joined the Division of Economic Geology and Petrology of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg 2016, after completing my PhD at the University of Tübingen (Germany).
My research is committed to the understanding of ore-forming processes in hydrothermal environments. I am specialized in the development of comprehensive genetic models using a wide range of analytical methods. These methods include fluid inclusion analysis, in-situ geochronology, trace element geochemistry, ore petrography and thermodynamic computations.
Google Scholar Profile / Personal webpage
Max Frenzel
Co-Principal investigator / Research Associate
I moved to Freiberg in 2012, after completing my BA (mineral sciences) and MSci (geological sciences) at the University of Cambridge. With my current research, I focus on three broadly related areas:
- The mineralogical, spatial and temporal distribution of trace elements in sulphide deposits (e.g. Ga, Ge and In) and how these relate to ore-forming processes.
- How the nature of these different distributions affects the processing and beneficiation behaviour of the elements in question, particularly those often won as by-products.
- How processing behaviour in turn relates to availability on the global commodity market, and how this affects the criticality of these materials.
For my work, I use a variety of analytical techniques including electron microscopy (SEM incl. MLA, FIB-TEM), micro-analysis (EPMA, LA-ICP-MS) and major and trace element geochemistry (XRF, ICP-MS, ICP-OES). I am also well versed in the statistical analysis and interpretation of the large and often complex geochemical datasets I encounter in my work.
Google Scholar Profile / Personal webpage
Marie Guilcher
PhD Candidate / Research Associate
I completed my Master at the University of Lorraine, Nancy (France) in 2017 and could gain extensive practical experience with various methods of fluid inclusion analyses. During my studies, I worked on Ag-Au ores related to hydrothermal seafloor vents (Exclusive Economic Zone of Wallis and Futuna, Pacific Ocean) and on U deposits of the Thelon Basin (Canada).
I am interested in hydrothermal processes relevant for the formation of ore deposits. In my studies, I combine many different methods to characterize minerals (optic microscopy, EPMA, SEM) as well as the fluids (microthermometry, Raman, LA-ICP-MS) that are associated with ore-formation.
Personal webpage/ Researchgate profile
Jens Gutzmer
Senior Scientist / Chair of Economic Geology and Petrology/ Director of the Helmholtz-Institute for Resource Technology
As an economic geologist that has spent most of his career in South Africa I have gained relevant experience in a multitude of commodities and mineral deposit types. Most of my recent research has focused on geometallurgy and mineral systems analysis. The ultimate goals both of these research fields are very distinct. Yet, both require a very thorough and multi-scale understanding of geological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of orebodies and ore-forming systems.
Google Scholar Profile / Personal webpage
Sebastian Haschke
PhD Candidate / Research Associate
In 2018, I completed my Master in Economic Geology at the University of Freiberg (Germany). During my studies I worked on polymetallic Ag-Pb-Zn-veins of the Freiberg District and on the fluorite-barite deposit Niederschlag/Erzgebirge. Both projects strongly focused on the characterisation of the associated ore-fluids with various methods including microthermometry and ore petrography.
My main research interest is the genesis and geodynamic evolution of hydrothermal mineral systems. In my PhD project I will strongly focus on fluid inclusion analysis (microthermometry, Raman, LA-ICP-MS ) and geochemical analysis of associated minerals (trace elements, stable and radiogenic isotopes).
Personal webpage / Researchgate profile
Nils Reinhardt
PhD Candidate / Research Associate
I completed my Master in Applied Geosciences at the RWTH Aachen University (Germany) in 2017. During my Master´s thesis at the University of Barcelona (Spain), I did a detailed petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical characterisation of rare earth element-bearing bauxite ores of the Catalan Coastal Range, NE-Spain.
Currently, I focus on the investigation of contact metamorphic, metasomatic and hydrothermal processes related to the formation of skarn deposits in the Erzgebirge metallogenic province. I am using a broad range of analytical methods including microscopy, trace-element and stable isotope geochemistry, geochronology and fluid inclusion analysis.
Personal webpage / Researchgate profile
Laura Swinkels
PhD Candidate / Research Associate
In 2017, I completed my Master in Structural Geology and Petrology at the University of Tromsø (Norway). I studied a broad range of geoscientific topics including economic geology, structural geology, geochemistry and petrology. For my thesis, I worked on stress distribution modelling and fracturing in snow.
Currently, I am working on ore-forming processes in the epithermal system of the Freiberg district. I aim to improve the understanding of the Au- and Ag-mineralisation of the Freiberg district using a combination of geological disciplines, with a strong focus on fluid inclusion analysis.
Personal webpage / Researchgate profile
Associated collaborators
- Dr. Richard Albert, University of Frankfurt
- Dr. Axel Gerdes, University of Frankfurt
- Sabine Gilbricht, TU Bergakademie Freiberg
- Prof. Dr. Jens Götze, TU Bergakademie Freiberg
- Dr. Joachim Krause, HZDR Freiberg
- Dr. Lawrence D Meinert, Meinert Consulting, LLC, Washington, DC
- Dr. Julien Mercadier, CNRS Nancy
- Dr. Robert Möckel, HZDR Freiberg
- Dr. Cynthia Sanchez-Garrido, HZDR Freiberg
- Dr. Cora Wohlgemuth-Ueberwasser, GFZ Potsdam