Earth and Environmental Sciences

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Prof Frances Wall

Professor of Applied Mineralogy

 F.Wall@exeter.ac.uk

 01326 371831

Overview

Research interests include:

  • Creating a circular economy for technology metals, including crtiical raw materials by considering the whole value system - raw materials from mining and recycling and all of the innovation, business models and regulation in between that create a true circular economy where metals have long and productive cycles of use.
  • Formation of ore deposits, including rare earths, niobium, tantalum and phosphate deposits
  • Carbonatites and alkaline rocks: fundamental controls on their petrogenesis, including mantle metasomatism, and rapidly erupted extrusive carbonatites.
  • Responsible mining including ethical sourcing of metals, LCA, and public perception of mining.
  • Regional development of georesources in Cornwall and SW England, including metals and minerals, geothermal energy and the associated service, education and research sectors.

**Fully funded EPSRC PhD studentship competition for UK and  overseas students is open until 27th February to start 2023/24 -  applicants can choose their topic. I would be pleased to discuss potential topics within the remit of EPSRC, see information: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=4659

Some relevant research links (see also research page for current PhD students):

UKRI Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre in Technology Metals
Circular Economy: A view from the front - Geoscientist article

Deep Digital Cornwall project 

Georesources Cornwall working paper

Check out our Technology Metals for Green Future MOOC on FutureLearn

News of new review of European cobalt deposits

UNESCO Lecture Series: Earth Materials for a Sustainable and Thriving Society

Academic qualifications:

  • BSc Hons first class Geochemistry Queen Mary College, London 
  • PhD Mineral chemistry and petrogenesis of rare earth rich carbonatites, University of London

Professional qualifications and service to learned societies and other organisations and awards

  • former President of the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland (2014, 2015)
  • former General Secretary of the Mineralogical Society
  • former Communication Officer of the International Mineralogical Association
  • former member of Applied Mineralogy Group Committee and Women in Mining membership and education committee

Professional history

  • 2015- Professor of Applied Mineralogy
  • 2007- Associate Professor of Applied Mineralogy
  • 2008-2014 Head of Camborne School of Mines
  • 2007- Natural History Museum, London, UK - Scientific Associate
  • 1984-2007 Various posts including research and petrology programme leader in the Department of Mineralogy, Natural History Museum, London, UK    

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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.

| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1987 |

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

  • Wall F. (2013) Rare earth elements, Critical Metals Handbook, 312-339, DOI:10.1002/9781118755341.ch13.
  • Kavecsanszki D, Moore KR, Rollinson GK, Wall F, Lusty PJL. (2013) Magma mingling between sulphide-rich and carbonatite magmas to form a multi-commodity metal deposit: reconstruction using QEMSCAN® analysis, Mineral Deposit Research for a High-Tech World, volume 1-4, pages 1024-1027.
  • Kavecsanszki D, Moore KR, Rollinson GK, Wall F, Lusty PAJ. (2013) Magma mingling between sulphide-rich and carbonatite magmas to form a multi-commodity metal deposit: reconstruction using QEMSCAN® analysis, MINERAL DEPOSIT RESEARCH FOR A HIGH-TECH WORLD, VOLS. 1-4, pages 1024-1027. [PDF]
  • Broom-Fendley S, Wall F, Brady AE, Gunn AG, Chenery SR, Dawes W. (2013) Carbonatite-hosted, late-stage apatite as a potential source of heavy rare earth elements?, MINERAL DEPOSIT RESEARCH FOR A HIGH-TECH WORLD, VOLS. 1-4, pages 1694-+. [PDF]
  • Van Der Wielen KP, Pascoe R, Weh A, Wall F, Rollinson G. (2013) The influence of equipment settings and rock properties on high voltage breakage, Minerals Engineering, volume 46-47, pages 100-111, DOI:10.1016/j.mineng.2013.02.008.

2012

2011

  • Kuzyura AV, Litvin YA, Okoemova VY, Vasiliev PG, Wall F, Jeffries T. (2011) Experimental study of interphase partitioning of rare elements in diamond forming eclogite-carbonatite and peridotite-carbonatite systems, Vestnik Otdelenia nauk o Zemle RAN, volume 3, no. Special Issue, pages 1-7, DOI:10.2205/2011nz000190.
  • Adey EA, Shail RKS, Wall F. (2011) Roşia Montană stakeholder conflict: “Our mountains bear gold yet we are begging from door to door, SRMining 2011 First International Seminar on Social Responsibility in Mining, Santiago, Chile, 19th - 21st Oct 2011.
  • Wall F. (2011) Rare earths and rare metals in carbonatites, IAEG 2011 Conference – Rare Earths and Rare Metals: how much do you love your smartphone?, Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone, Ireland, 14th - 15th May 2011.
  • Wall F. (2011) What are rare metals and what are they used for?, IAEG 2011 Conference – Rare Earths and Rare Metals: how much do you love your smartphone?, Radisson Blu Hotel Athlone, Ireland, 14th - 15th May 2011.
  • Do Cabo VN, Sitnikova MA, Wall F, Ellmies R, Henjes-Kunst F, Gerdes A, Downes H. (2011) Mid and heavy REE in carbonatites at Lofdal, Namibia, Goldschmidt 2011, Prague, Czech Republic, 15th - 19th Aug 2011, Mineralogical Magazine, volume 75.
  • Wall F, Dowman E, Treloar P, Rankin AH. (2011) Multiple phases of fenitisation and REE-enrichment in fenites around carbonatites – implications for future exploration targets, Fermor 2011: Ore Deposits in an Evolving Earth, Geological Society Of London, 7th - 9th Sep 2011.
  • Anderson KF, Wall F, Moon C, Rollinson G. (2011) Geometallurgy of Iron Ores from Liberia and Cameroon, Fermor 2011: Ore Deposits in an Evolving Earth, Geological Society Of London, 7th - 9th Sep 2011.
  • Wall F, Mitchell P, Buckle T, Lee T, Stanley S. (2011) Opportunities and Challenges in the future supply of rare earths: developing metrics for responsible sourcing, Fermor 2011: Ore Deposits in an Evolving Earth, London, 7th - 9th Sep 2011.
  • Adey E, Shail RK, Wall F, Varul M, Whitbread-Abrutat P, Baciu C, Ejdemo T, Lovric I, Udachin V. (2011) Corporate social responsibility within the mining industry: case studies from across Europe and Russia, Sustainable Development in the Minerals Industry, Aachen, 14th - 17th Jun 2011.

2010

2009

  • Wall F. (2009) A review of rare earth element ore deposits, with particular reference to carbonatites, Mineral Deposits Studies Group Applied Mineralogy Group, Camborne School Of Mines, University Of Exeter, Uk, 6th - 7th Jan 2009.
  • Wall F. (2009) A review of rare earth element ore deposits, with particular reference to carbonatites, Mineral Deposits Studies Group Applied Mineralogy Group, Camborne School Of Mines, University Of Exeter, Uk, 6th - 7th Jan 2009.
  • Humphreys ER, Bailey K, Wall F, Hawkesworth CJ, Kearns S. (2009) Highly heterogeneous mantle sampled by rapidly erupted carbonate volcanism, 9th International Kimberlite conference, Frankfurt, Germany.
  • Macdonald R, Belkin HE, Wall F, Baginski B. (2009) Compositional variation in the chevkinite group: new data from igneous and metamorphic rocks, MINERALOGICAL MAGAZINE, volume 73, no. 5, pages 777-796, DOI:10.1180/minmag.2009.073.5.777. [PDF]
  • Humphreys ER, Bailey K, Hawkesworth CJ, Wall F. (2009) Carbonate inclusions in mantle olivines: Mantle carbonatite, GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, volume 73, no. 13, pages A564-A564. [PDF]
  • Moore KR, Wall F, Divaev FK, Savatenkov VM. (2009) Mingling of carbonate and silicate magmas under turbulent flow conditions: Evidence from rock textures and mineral chemistry in sub-volcanic carbonatite dykes, Chagatai, Uzbekistan, Lithos, volume 110, pages 65-82, DOI:10.1016/j.lithos.2008.11.013.

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

  • Krasnova NI, Petrov TG, Balaganskaya EG, Garcia D, Moutte J, Zaitsev AN, Wall F. (2004) Introduction to phoscorites: occurrence, composition, nomenclature and petrogenesis, Phoscorites and carbonatites from mantle to mine, Mineralogical Society, 45-74, DOI:10.1180/mss.10.02.
  • Lee MJ, Garcia D, Moutte J, Williams CT, Wall FM. (2004) Carbonatites and phoscorites from the Sokli Complex, Finland, Phoscorites and carbonatites from mantle to mine, Mineralogical Society, 133-162, DOI:10.1180/mss.10.05.
  • Wall F, Zaitsev AN. (2004) Phoscorites and carbonatites from mantle to mine: The key example of the Kola Alkaline province, Mineralogical Society Bulletin, no. 140, pages 3-9.
  • Wall F. (2004) Letters from volcanoes, Geology Today, volume 20, no. 6, DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2451.2004.00476.x.
  • Wall F. (2004) Feature, Geology Today, volume 19, no. 6, pages 206-211, DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2451.2004.00433.x. [PDF]
  • Wall F. (2004) Letters from volcanoes, Geology Today, volume 20, no. 5, pages 181-184, DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2451.2004.00476.x. [PDF]
  • Wall F, Zaitsev AN. (2004) Rare earth minerals in Kola carbonatites, Phoscorites and Carbonatites from Mantle to Mine: the Key Example of the Kola Alkaline Province, Mineralogical Society, 43-72. [PDF]
  • Wall F. (2004) An illustration of the evolution and alteration of carbonatites using REE,Sr –rich carbonatites at Nkombwa, Zambia, Deep-seated magmatism: Its sources and their relation to plume processes’, pages 48-67.
  • Wall F, Zaitsev AN. (2004) Phoscorites and Carbonatites from Mantle to Mine: the Key Example of the Kola Alkaline Province, Mineralogical Society. [PDF]
  • Krasnova NI, Petrov TG, Balaganskaya EG, Garcia D, Wall F, Moutte J, Zaitsev AN. (2004) Introduction to phoscorites: occurrence, composition, nomenclature and petrogenesis. Pp. 43_72 in: (F. Wall, and A.N. Zaitsev editors). Mineralogical Society Series, 10. Mineralogical Society, London, Phoscorites and Carbonatites from Mantle to Mine: the Key Example of the Kola Alkaline Province, Mineralogical Society, 43-72. [PDF]
  • Lee MJ, Garcia D, Moutte J, Wall F, Williams CT. (2004) Carbonatites and phoscorites from the Sokli Complex, Finland, Phoscorites and Carbonatites from Mantle to Mine: the Key Example of the Kola Alkaline Province, Mineralogical Society, 129-158. [PDF]

2003

  • Wall F. (2003) From the general secretary, Mineralogical Society Bulletin, no. 136.
  • Stoppa F, Rosatelli G, Wall F, Le Bas MJ. (2003) Texture and mineralogy of tuffs and tuffisites at Ruri Volcano in western Kenya: a carbonatite, melilitite, mantle-debris trio, Periodico di Mineralogia, volume 72, pages 181-204.
  • Wall F. (2003) 4TH EuroCarb Workshop, Canary Islands, Spain, 16th-21st September 2003, Abstract Volume, 4TH EuroCarb Workshop, Canary Island, 16th - 21st Sep 2003.
  • Rosatelli G, Wall F, Le Bas MJ. (2003) Potassic glass and calcite carbonatite in lapilli from extrusive carbonatites at Rangwa Caldera Complex, Kenya, MINERALOGICAL MAGAZINE, volume 67, no. 5, pages 931-955, DOI:10.1180/0026461036750152. [PDF]
  • FWall, Le Bas MJ, Rosatelli G. (2003) Potassic glass and calcite carbonatite in lapilli from extrusive carbonatites at Rangwa Caldera Complex, Kenya, Mineralogical Magazine, volume 67, no. 5, pages 931-955, DOI:10.1180/0026461036750152.
  • Wall F. (2003) 4TH EuroCarb Workshop, Canary Islands, Spain, 16th-21st September 2003, Abstract Volume, 4TH EuroCarb Workshop, Canary Island, 16th - 21st Sep 2003.

2002

  • Mihailova Y, Krasnova NI, Kretser Y, Wall F, Pakhomovsky Y. (2002) Inclusions in minerals of Kovdor intrusion of ultrabasic, alkaline rocks and carbonatites as indicators of the endogenic evolution processes, Pp. 296-320 in: Deep-seated magmatism, magmatic sources and the problem of plumes.
  • Zaitsev AN, Demény A, Wall F, Sindern S, Sitnikova MA, Karchevsky PI. (2002) Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of carbonatite complexes from the Kola Peninsula, Russia, GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, volume 66, no. 15A, pages A868-A868. [PDF]
  • Zaitsev AN, Demény A, Sindern S, Wall F. (2002) Burbankite group minerals and their alteration in rare earth carbonatites-source of elements and fluids (evidence from C-O and Sr-Nd isotopic data), Lithos, volume 62, no. 1-2, pages 15-33, DOI:10.1016/S0024-4937(02)00084-1.

2001

  • Wall F, Zaitsev AN, Mariano AN. (2001) Rare earth pegmatites in carbonatites, Journal of African Earth Sciences, volume 32, no. 1, pages a35-a36, DOI:10.1016/s0899-5362(01)90065-x.
  • Bowden P, Wall F, Schürmann L. (2001) ‘Spinifex-textured’ pegmatitic crystallisation in carbonatites, Journal of African Earth Sciences, volume 32, no. 1, pages a11-a12, DOI:10.1016/s0899-5362(01)90027-2.
  • Wall F, zaitsev AN, Mariano AN. (2001) Wall, F., Zaitsev, A.N. and Mariano, A.N. (2001) Rare earth pegmatites, , 32, A35-A36, Journal of African Earth Sciences, volume 32, pages A35-A36.
  • Gehor S, wall F, Liferovich R. (2001) Formation, exploration and exploitation of economic deposits associated with mantle carbon, Programme, Abstracts and Participants, 14-20 September 2001, Finland And Russia, 14th - 20th Sep 2001, RES TERRAE - Publications of the Dept of Geology, Univ. Oulu, Ser. A, volume 20.
  • Wall F, Sitnikova MA, Zaitsev AN, Chakhmouradian AR, Subbotin VV. (2001) Evolution of chemical composition of rock-forming carbonates in Sallanlatvi Carbonatites, Kola Peninsula, Russia, Journal of African Earth Sciences, volume 32.
  • Bühn B, Wall F, Le Bas MJ. (2001) Rare-earth element systematics of carbonatitic fluorapatites, and their significance for carbonatite magma evolution, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, volume 141, no. 5, pages 572-591, DOI:10.1007/s004100100261.
  • Gehor S, wall F, Liferovich R. (2001) Formation, exploration and exploitation of economic deposits associated with mantle carbon, Programme, Abstracts and Participants, 14-20 September 2001, Finland And Russia, 14th - 20th Sep 2001, RES TERRAE - Publications of the Dept of Geology, Univ. Oulu, Ser. A, volume 20.
  • Gehor S, wall F, Liferovich R. (2001) Formation, exploration and exploitation of economic deposits associated with mantle carbon, Programme, Abstracts and Participants, 14-20 September 2001, Finland And Russia, 14th - 20th Sep 2001, RES TERRAE - Publications of the Dept of Geology, Univ. Oulu, Ser. A, volume 20.
  • Lee MJ, Garcia D, Moutte J, Wall F, Williams CT, Woolley AR. (2001) Pyrochlore chemistry and the transition from Ca-carbonatites and phoscorites to Mg-Fe carbonatites at Sokli (Finland), Journal of African Earth Sciences, volume 32, pages A24-A25.

2000

  • Wall F, Bulakh AG, Nesterov AR, Zaitsev AN, Pilipiuk N, Kirillov AS. (2000) Sulfur-containing monazite-(Ce) from late-stage mineral assemblages at the Kandaguba and Vuoriyarvi carbonatite complexes, Kola peninula, Russia, Neues Jahrbuch fuer Mineralogie Monatschefte, volume 2000, pages 217-233.

1999

  • Cressey GC, Wall F, Cressey BA. (1999) Differential REE uptake by sector growth of monazite, Mineralogical Magazine, volume 63, pages 813-828.

1998

  • Bulakh AG, Le Bas MJ, Wall F, Zaitsev AN. (1998) Ancylite-bearing carbonatites of the Sebylyavr massif, Kola peninsula, Russia, Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, volume 1998(4), pages 171-192.
  • Wall F, Zaitsev AN, Le Bas MJ. (1998) REE-Sr-Ba minerals from the Khibina carbonatites, Kola peninsula, Russia: their mineralogy, paragenesis and evolution, Mineralogical Magazine, volume 62, pages 225-250.

1997

1996

1995

1993

1992

  • Le Bas MJ, Keller J, Tao Kejie, Wall F, Williams CT, Zhang Peishan. (1992) Carbonatite dykes at Bayan Obo, Inner Mongolia, China, Scientia Geologica Sinica, no. Suppl. 1992, pages 130-138.
  • Le Bas MJ, Kellere J, Kejie T, Wall F, William CT, Peishan Z. (1992) Carbonatite dykes at bayan Obo, inner Mongolia, China, Mineralogy and Petrology, volume 46, no. 3, pages 195-228, DOI:10.1007/bf01164647. [PDF]

1991

  • Woolley AR, Barr MWC, Din VK, Jones GC, Wall F, Williams CT. (1991) Extrusive carbonatites from the Uyaynah Window, United Arab Emirates, Journal of Petrology. 32, 1143-1167, volume 32, pages 1143-1167.

1987

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Further information

Research

I welcome other PhD enquiries related to my research interests and have a number of overseas students funded by scholarships from their home countries.

ONGOING AND RECENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

  • LiFT  - NERC hightlight topic, Lithium for Future Technologies
     
  • Greenpeg - H2020 funded innovation project. New Exploration Tools for European Pegmatite Green-Tech Resources. Leader of environmental and social workpackage
     
  • CrEAM - EPSRC Network on Critical Elements and Materials
     
  • MIREU - H2020 coordinating and support action. Creating a network of European mining regions. 2017-2020
  • REMIX - Interreg Europe project to improve regional mining-related policies, working with Cornwall Council and all local stakeholders, and sharing experience and learning with eight other countries across Europe.2017 - 2021
     
  • HiTech AlkCarb  - H2020 funded. New exploration models to explore deeper for alkaline rocks and carbonatites. February 2016- 2020. Twitter - @HiTech_AlkCarb 
     
  • SoS RARE. NERC Security of Supply of Minerals consortium grant, with the British Geological Survey, Univerisites of Leeds, Sheffield, St Andrews and Brighton and academic and industry partners. May 2015 to April 2019. Link to Grants on the web   Twitter - @sosrare. Includes  Ed Loye (project management and industry relations), Rob Pell (PhD) on Responsible Sourcing of rare earths
     
  • New Geomodels for Zambian Carbonatites. PhD being carried out by Michael Musialike
     
  • Geological controls on upper crustal heat flow for deep geothermal energy in Cornwall. PhD being carried out by Chris Dalby. First supervisor Robin Shail
     
  • Europe's cobalt resource potential for supply to low carbon vehicles. PhD being carried out by Stefan Horn based at the British Geological Survey, first supervisor Evi Petavratzi
     
  • 'Uranium Mining in Greenland'. PhD Sociology being carried out by Florian Abraham. First Supervisor Susan Molyneux-Hodgson
     
  • An enhanced understanding of the thermal and fluid history of a Variscan metallogenic province from critical metal investigations: The antimony and tungsten-bismuth deposits of south-west England. PhD being carried out part time by Eimear Deady, British Geological Survey. First supervisor Kate Moore
     
  • Socio-Economic Sustainability of Mining and Minerals Operations. PhD being carried out by Rezki Syahrir, co-supervisor Kip Jeffrey, Penda Diallo

Impact

Deep Digital Cornwall project - ERDF-funded and working with 40 small and medium-sized business in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly until 30 June 2023 to encourage more research and innovation and create a brilliant globally competitive digital sector connected to the underground. Check out the website for more details.

Spin off company and examples of industry research partners

CrEAM - EPSRC Network on Critical Elements and Materials - produced a Birmingham Policy Commission report on technology-critical metals.

Examples of previous projects:

  • Impact Accelerator Award. To exchange knowledge gained as the result of the NERC-funded catalyst grant Geology to Geometallurgy of Critical Rare Earth. Ed Loye was part time associate research fellow.
     
  • Tellus South West high resolution geophysical survey and TellusHow NERC innovation project
  • ImpactMin FP7 project (Impact Monitoring of Mineral Resources Exploitation), leading WP3 on socio-economic aspects of mining, including public perception of mining and the carbon footprint of the mining industry.(completed)

Recently completed PhD and MSc by Research projects:

  • Socio-Economic Sustainability of Mining and Minerals Operations. PhD being carried out by Rezki Syahrir, co-supervisor  Penda Diallo, Kip Jeffrey,
     
  • Mineralogy and mineral processing to optimise recovery of synchysite-(Ce) and apatite from carbonatite at Songwe Hill, Malawi. PhD project by Safaa Al Ali, co-supervised by Richard Pascoe, and in collaboration with Mkango Resources Ltd.
  • Targeting concentrations of mid and heavy rare earths in alkaline provinces. PhD project by Sam Broom-Fendley, co-supervised by Gus Gunn, Britiish Geological Survey. Funded by NERC, CASE partner Leominex (Mkango).
  • The geological controls on the heavy rare earth element enriched alteration zone at Area 4, Lofdal, Khorixas, Namibia. MSc by research by Ed Loye, funded by Namibia Rare Earths Inc
  • A geological study of the potential for rare earth element by-product recovery from Greek and other bauxite deposits. MSc by Research project by Evangelos Mouchos
     
  • Improved liberation and energy utilisation in materials breakage using high voltage pulses. PhD project  by  Klaas Peter van der Wielen in collaboration with SELFRAG AG.  
     
  • Geometallurgy of iron ores. PhD project by Kelvin Anderson, with logistic support from Afferro Mining
     
  • Using carbonate volcanism to understand mantle processes. NERC CASE PhD by Emma Humphreys-Williams, co-supervised by Professor C.J. Hawkesworth FRS and the late Professor D.K. Bailey. 
     
  • Postmagmatic Mineralisation and Fluid Processes in Carbonatite systems. PhD project, completed by Emma Dowman, joint with Kingston University, co-supervised by Professor A.H. Rankin, Professor Peter Treloar.
     
  • The Geology, Mineralogy and Geochemical features of the primary HREE-enriched Carbonatite Complex at Lofdal, Namibia, PhD project completed by Vicky do Cabo, Geological Survey of Namibia. Co-supervisor Professor Hilary Downs, Birkbeck College, London.
     
  • Developing exploration tools for high purity quartz and rare metals in the south Norwegian Bamble-Evje pegmatite cluster PhD project completed by Ben Snook. First supervisor Ben Williamson Co-funded by Norwegian Geological Survey. 

Teaching

Module leader for CSMM220 Mining the Future

Contribute to:
CSM1040 Dynamic Planet
CSM1030 Geology
CSM3061 Energy Resource Geology
CSMM047 Research Project and Dissertation


ENEM105  Low Carbon Vehicles and Transport 

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