GEOLOGY

I graduated in geology in 1985 at Aberystwyth and since that time much of my work has been in this and related fields. Through a long-standing interest in mineralogy and ore deposits I have focussed much of my geological research towards the interplay between mineral deposits and regional geological processes through time.

I was trained in mineral exploration by the BGS and in the commercial sector spent time working for and eventually managing a gold exploration project in the Scottish Dalradian, where a significant swarm of narrow but high-grade auriferous veins was examined. More recently I have worked in the Dolgellau Gold-belt, North Wales, where geological controls on high-grade gold-shoots are the key to success.

One of my key research interests is in the relationship between mineralisation and deformation. This led in the late 1990s to my discovery that the gold-bearing veins of the Dolgellau area pre-date the regional Acadian deformation. They were for years believed to post-date it. For a substantial bibliography of Welsh geology and mineralisation please click HERE. For a list of publications please click HERE.

Reference: Mason, J.S., Fitches, W.R and Bevins, R.E. (1999) Evidence for a pre-tectonic origin for the auriferous vein-type mineralisation in the Dolgellau Gold-belt, North Wales. Transactions of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy (Section B, Applied earth science), 108, B45-B52.