Earth and Environmental Sciences

Photo of Dr Benedikt Steiner

Dr Benedikt Steiner

Senior Lecturer and MSc Programme Director in Exploration and Mining Geology

 B.Steiner@exeter.ac.uk

Overview

I am an exploration geologist focusing on the development and implementation of geochemical exploration methods in an integrated geological-geochemical-geophysical exploration targeting framework. I have previously worked as an exploration professional for Rio Tinto Exploration, and in my current role as Senior Lecturer and MSc Programme Director in Exploration and Mining Geology at Camborne School of Mines, I am  involved in the development and teaching of a variety of subjects applied to mineral exploration and mining to under- and postgraduate learners. Previously, I developed a number of short courses which I taught at universities in the UK, Austria, Germany, Poland, Estonia and Myanmar.

I am a Qualified Person for JORC, NI43-101 and PERC compliant reporting and evaluation. My work has fundamentally contributed to the re-assessment of the regional mineral and exploration potential of the Vosges Mountains, NE France. A particular focus of current investigations are the occurrence of Variscan Sn-W, Li-Cs-Ta and Mesozoic-Cenozoic base metal systems.

Key Research Interests:

  • Exploration Geochemistry in tropical and glaciated terrains
  • Integrated geological-geochemical-geophysical target generation 
  • GIS applications, geological database management and statistical mineral potential mapping
  • Geology of the Fennoscandian Shield, Burmese Mineral Belts, and Central African Copperbelt
  • Critical, precious and base metals, pegmatite-hosted hydrothermal ore deposits

Summary CV:

  • 2010-2016: Project Geologist, Rio Tinto Exploration, Namibia & Zambia
  • 2009-2010: Junior Geologist, Neftex Petroleum Consultants, UK.
  • 2009: MSci Geology, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London
  • 2007: Vordiplom, University of Tübingen, Germany

Associations:

  • Chartered Fellow of the Geological Society of London (CGeol)
  • Chartered Member of the European Federation of Geologists (EurGeol)
  • Chartered Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEGF)
  • Bund Deutscher Geowissenschaftler (BDG)
  • Associate of the Royal School of Mines (ARSM)

Publications

Selected regional exploration reports:

  1. Steiner, B., Savin, V.A., Nkabelane O.N. (2020). Follow-up exploration, scout drilling and mineralogical characterisation of the Gatumba Cluster Li-Cs-Ta pegmatites, Nyiramuganza PTA, Rwanda. Report compiled for the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board. 114p. 
  2. Steiner, B., Savin, V.A., Nkabelane O.N. (2020). An integrated geological, geochemical and geophysical investigation of Thorium anomalies and other REE occurrences in the Rukarara PTA, Butare Complex, Southern Rwanda. Report compiled for the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board. 112p.
  3. Steiner, B., Savin, V.A., Nkabelane O.N. (2020). An investigation of Thorium anomalies and other REE occurrences in the Kirimbi PTA, western Rwanda. Report compiled for the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board. 87p.
  4. Steiner, B., Savin, V.A., Nkabelane O.N. (2020). Exploration for structurally-controlled tungsten mineralisation in the Shyembe Belt PTA, western Rwanda. Report compiled for the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board. 95p.
  5. Steiner, B., Savin, V.A., Nkabelane O.N. (2020). An investigation into organic-rich sedimentary rocks and the energy resource potential of the Nyamasheke PTA, Western Rwanda. Report compiled for the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board. 63p.

Peer-reviewed journal articles:

  1. Steiner, B.M., Barnet, J.S.K., 2021. Resource potential of one of Earth’s final remaining frontiers: the Siberian Platform. Geology Today, 37(1), 19–23

  2. Barnet, J.S.K., Steiner, B.M., 2021. Unravelling the complex geological evolution of one of Earth’s final remaining frontiers: East Siberia. Geology Today, 37(1), 13–18.

  3. Steiner, B., Hughes, H.S.R., 2020. Exploring the link between employer needs,  employability and postgraduate module design in a contemporary mining education framework. European Geologist Journal, 50, 63-68.

  4. Steiner, B., Rollinson, G.K., Condron, J.M. (2019). An Exploration Study of the Kagenfels and Natzwiller Granites, Northern Vosges Mountains, France: A Combined Approach of Stream Sediment Geochemistry and Automated Mineralogy. Minerals, 9(12), 750-779.

  5. Steiner, B. (2019) Tools and Workflows for Grassroots Li-Cs-Ta (LCT) Pegmatite Exploration. Minerals, 9(8), 399-422. 

  6. Steiner, B. (2019) W and Li-Cs-Ta geochemical signatures in I-type granites - A case study from the Vosges Mountains, NE France. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 197, 238-250.

  7. Steiner, B. (2018) Using Tellus stream sediment geochemistry to fingerprint regional geology and mineralisation systems in Southeast Ireland. Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 36, 45-61.

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Publications

Copyright Notice: Any articles made available for download are for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the copyright holder.

| To Appear | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |

To Appear

  • Steiner B, Barnet J. Resource potential of one of Earth’s final remaining frontiers: the Siberian Platform, Geology Today, volume 37(1), pages 19-23.

2022

2021

  • Steiner B. (2021) Stream Sediment Geochemistry and Automated Mineralogy as Exploration Tools for LCT-Pegmatite and Granite-related Mineralisation: Case studies from the Leinster Granite (Ireland) and the Vosges Mountains (France).

2020

  • Steiner B, Hughes H. (2020) Exploring the link between employer needs, employability and postgraduate module design in a contemporary mining education framework, European Geologist, volume 50, no. 50, pages 63-68. [PDF]

2019

2018

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Further information

Teaching

In 2012, after a number of conversations with industry and academic representatives, Benedikt realised that something could be done to improve the knowledge of geoscience students in applied disciplines that are of critical relevance to the mineral exploration and mining industry. A focus in developing teaching and short course materials was therefore initially put on drilling methods, complemented later on with applied geochemistry. All courses establish the critical link between theoretical background commonly taught in academic environments and the highly practical nature of applied exploration methods in the minerals industry. The MSc degree programmes and short courses are therefore equally suited for both young professionals and seasoned exploration veterans who would like to refresh their knowledge and generate new ideas for their projects by looking at and discussing a number of aspects from a different angle.  

Current teaching activities include:

  • CSM3151: Exploration Techniques
  • CSMM047: Research Project
  • CSMM195: Ore Deposit Geology
  • CSMM110: Techniques in Mining Geology
  • CSMM189: GIS and Remote Sensing
  • CSMM192: Advanced Geoscientific Software and Data Management
  • CSMM193: Exploration Targeting
  • CSMM194: Exploration and Mining Geology

Additional short courses include:

  • ArcGIS for Miners and Mineral Explorationists (2-5 days)
  • Drilling Methods in Mineral Exploration (2 days)
  • Drilling Methods in Mining & Mineral Exploration with a focus on Geotechnical Logging (2 days)
  • Geochemical Interpretation Tools for Exploration and Mining Geologists: Examples from Ireland, Finland and Sub-Saharan Africa (2 days)

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