I am an emeritus professor of geochemistry. I was the President of the UNSW Academic Board and member of the UNSW Council 2017-2023. From 2008-2016 I was head of the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Deputy President of the Academic Board. My main research interests are in geochemistry with a focus on exploration methods for mineral deposits. I have been involved in research projects in North America, Indonesia,...view more
I am an emeritus professor of geochemistry. I was the President of the UNSW Academic Board and member of the UNSW Council 2017-2023. From 2008-2016 I was head of the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Deputy President of the Academic Board. My main research interests are in geochemistry with a focus on exploration methods for mineral deposits. I have been involved in research projects in North America, Indonesia, Europe, PNG, Pakistan, Iran and Australia. I led the Geochemical Atlas of Cyprus project. I am currently President of the Australian Geoscience Council.
Education
- BSc (Hons) 1983 (Sydney) in Geology
- MSc 1986 (Queen’s, Canada) in Geochemistry
- PhD 1990 (UNSW) in Geochemistry
- FRSN, FAAG, FAIG
RESEARCH
My Research Goals
Develop more effective methods of geochemical exploration, especially in areas containing deep cover.
Investigate the use of biogeochemistry and selective chemical extractions in both exploration and contaminant detection.
Implement regional geochemical mapping programs in various parts of the world.
Evaluate various approaches to processing geochemical data with a view to separating "signals" related to either the effects of mineralisation or contamination from other processes or effects.
My Research in Detail
My research group examines the relationships between the geochemical characteristics of the surficial environment (soils, sediments, vegetation) and parent material, with a focus on the development of geochemical methods suited to mineral exploration in a variety of environments. This extends from mapping and trying to understand geochemical patterns in various sampling media at scales ranging from mineral deposits to entire countries.
Current Student Projects (PhD and Honours)
- Joe Schifano (PhD candidate) - Biogeochemical mapping of the Cobar Basin (supported by the MineEx CRC)
My Grants
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1. Title:
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Biogeochemistry in Cobar Basin
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Chief investigators:
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DR Cohen; JA Schifano
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Role in Project:
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Co-Lead investigator
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Source and Scheme:
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MinEx CRC, plus direct funding from company consortium of GSNSW, Peel Mining, Aurelia, 3E Steel, Golden Cross Resources and Cleantec
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Commencement date:
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Jun-19
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Duration:
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2 years
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Total Amount AUD$:
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$60,000 from MinEx CRC (cash); ~$60,000 in-kind support for analytical work. $120,000 direct company support
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2. Title:
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Beneficial use of CSG co-produced water salts
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Chief investigators:
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DR Cohen
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Role in Project:
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Sole investigator
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Source and Scheme:
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RGS Environmental Ltd; contract research
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Commencement date:
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Apr-16
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Duration:
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2 years
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Total Amount AUD$:
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$14,820
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3. Title:
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Membership of ANZIC (Aust consortium within the International Ocean Discovery Program)
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Chief investigators:
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R Arculus, MB Clennell, DR Cohen (and CIs from 12 other organisations)
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Role in Project:
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Chief Investigator
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Source and Scheme:
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ARC, LIEF (LE160100067)
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Commencement date:
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Jan-16
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Duration:
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5 years
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Total Amount AUD$:
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$10,000,000
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4. Title:
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Use of pXRF in assessing coal quality
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Chief investigators:
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CR Ward (lead), DR Cohen, SJ Kelloway; C Marjo
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Role in Project:
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Co-chief investigator
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Source and Scheme:
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ACARP
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Commencement date:
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Apr-15
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Duration:
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2 years
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Total Amount AUD$:
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$157,400
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5. Title:
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Student support
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Chief investigators:
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DR Cohen
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Role in Project:
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Co-supervisor of students
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Source and Scheme:
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Society of Economic Geologists Foundation, Graduate Student Fellowship GSF 15-20/ 15-22
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Commencement date:
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Apr-15
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Duration:
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2 years
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Total Amount AUD$:
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$11,320
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6. Title:
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Project 7.2 of the MinEx CRC
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Chief investigators:
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DR Cohen
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Role in Project:
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UNSW Lead
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Source and Scheme:
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MinEx CRC
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Commencement date:
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Jan-22
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Duration:
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3 years
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Total Amount AUD$:
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$420,000
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7. Title:
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Mineral exploration in Laos
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Chief investigators:
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IT Graham, DR Cohen
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Role in Project:
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Co-chief investigator
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Source and Scheme:
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PT Coy Ltd, contract research
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Commencement date:
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Feb-15
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Duration:
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1 year
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Total Amount AUD$:
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$11,470
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8. Title:
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Advanced analytical facilities
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Chief investigators:
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M Aubert, AB Baker, … IT Graham, DR Cohen (and CIs from 15 other organisations)
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Role in Project:
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Chief Investigator
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Source and Scheme:
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ARC, LIEF (LE140100023)
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Commencement date:
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Jan-14
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Duration:
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1 year
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Total Amount AUD$:
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$360,000
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9. Title:
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Geochemical exploration in areas of thick sedimentary rock and calcrete cover
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Chief investigators:
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DR Cohen and NF Rutherford
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Role in Project:
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Chief Investigator
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Source and Scheme:
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Contract to Hillgrove Resources
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Commencement date:
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Jan-21
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Duration:
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2 years
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Total Amount AUD$:
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nfp
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7. Title:
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Geochemical exploration for Ag in Gautemala
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Chief investigators:
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DR Cohen and NF Rutherford
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Role in Project:
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Chief Investigator
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Source and Scheme:
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Contract to Volcanic Gold Mines
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Commencement date:
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Oct-21
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Duration:
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1 year
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Total Amount AUD$:
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nfp
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My Qualifications
BSc (Hons), Sydney University, 1983
MSc, Queen's University in Canada, 1986
PhD, UNSW, 1990
My Awards
Fellow of the Association of Applied Geochemistry (international association), 2000
Fellow of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, 2015
Silver Medal of the Association of Applied Geochemists, 2015
Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales, 2017
My Research Activities
Biogeochemical methods in mineral exploration and general regional mapping. Selective extractions in palaeontology. Use of field-portable analytical methods.
My Teaching
I am the main presenter of GEOS3281 - Applied Geochemistry. I contribute to the introductory geology course GEOS1111, and to the third year GEOS3141 Ore Deposits course.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1968-1988