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Dr Seán McClenaghan

Assistant Professor

Email: mcclens@tcd.ie
Tel: + 353 1 896 1585 
Office: Museum Building, Office 0.18D

Research

My research focuses on dissecting ore deposit systems through the application of bulk geochemical and advanced micro-analytical techniques. Much of this research has centred on the mineralogy and residence of precious metals and energy critical elements in sulphide and gangue minerals from ore deposits as well as waste tailings. The growing need for these elements in technological and green energy applications makes the characterisation of both existing reserves and prospective regions for exploration critical to addressing current supply restrictions and future demand. I continue to actively research the petrogenesis of REE and critical trace elements in hydrothermal exhalative systems and have also initiated several research streams investigating geochemical variations in carbonate hosted Zn-Pb deposits of the Irish Midlands, Devonian granite-hosted Sn-W-Mo-Cu deposits and a wide range of epigenetic Au, Ag, and base-metal systems.

Trinity College Dublin, mining and exploration companies active in Ireland (Teck Resources, Boliden, Lisheen Mine, Connemara Mining and Lundin Mining), as well as Geology alumni have joined forces to establish this sponsored position in Economic Geology.

GOLD_INSIGHT

Projects

I currently supervise 3 postgraduate students on geochemistry projects in the Irish Midlands as they pertain to the carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn deposits. Students will elucidate isotopic and trace-element systematics within bedrock, till, soils, peat and vegetation surrounding areas of known mineralization in the development of geochemical vectors for exploration; projects are supported by the IRC and EU (Marie Currie - IsoNose framework) as well as Industry sponsors TECK and Boliden. I am currently looking for students interested in postgraduate research opportunities on epithermal base-metal (Glendalough), granite-hosted Sn-W-Mo, and Pb-Zn deposits within Ireland and around the world.

Teaching

Senior Sophister
GL4419 Economic Geology

Publications

McClenaghan, S.H., Lentz, D.R., and Powe, E.M., in prep (2014), Petrology and geochemistry of the copper zone at the Brunswick No. 12 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. Economic Geology Special Issue - Developing a Stronger Understanding of Copper Resources for the Future.

McClenaghan, S.H., Thorne, K.G., and Rogers, N., 2014, Granite-related mineralization and alteration in the Acadian Plutonic Belt: Implications for Sn-W-Mo-Cu exploration in central New Brunswick. Field Guidebook B1, Fredericton, Geological Association of Canada/Mineralogical Association of Canada, 85p.

Pilote, J.-L., Barr, S.M., Wilson, R.A., McClenaghan, S.H., Kamo, S., McNicoll, V.J., and Bevier, M.L., 2012, Precise age and petrology of Silurian-Devonian plutons in the Benjamin River – Charlo area, northern New Brunswick. Atlantic Geology, v.48, p. 97-123.

McClenaghan, S.H., Walker, J.A., and Lentz, D.R., 2010, Trace-element contents of base-metal concentrates from the Caribou Mine, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick: Implications for the recovery of indium from mill products. In Geological Investigations in New Brunswick for 2009. Edited by G.L. Martin. Department of Natural Resources; Minerals, Policy and Planning Division, Mineral Resource Report 2009−1, p. 1-27.

McClenaghan, S.H., Lentz, D.R., Martin, J., and Diegor, W.G., 2009, Gold in the Brunswick No. 12 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, Canada: evidence from bulk ore analysis and laser ablation ICP–MS data on sulfide phases. Mineralium Deposita, v.44, p. 523-557.

McClenaghan, S.H., and Al, T., 2009, Environmental geochemistry, reclamation, and remediation techniques as applied in the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. 24th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium, Field Trip Guide Book, Fredericton, International Association of Applied Geochemists, 126p.

McClenaghan, S.H., Lentz, D.R., and Diegor, W.G., 2009, Rare earth element variations in volcanogenic massive sulfides, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick: evidence from laser ablation ICP–MS analyses of phosphate accessory phases. In Proceedings of the 24th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium, Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada. Edited by D.R. Lentz, K.G. Thorne, and K.-L. Beal. Association of Applied Geochemists, v.1, p. 181-184.

McClenaghan, S.H., Lentz, D.R., and Powe, E.M., 2009, Distribution of Cu-rich massive sulfides at the Brunswick No. 12 deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. In Proceedings of the 24th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium, Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada. Edited by D.R. Lentz, K.G. Thorne, and K.-L. Beal. Association of Applied Geochemists, v.1, p. 507-510.

Zagorevski, A., Rogers, N., van Staal, C.R., McClenaghan, S.H., and Haslam, R., 2007, Tectonostratigraphic relationships in the Buchans area: A composite of Ordovician and Silurian Terranes. In Current Research, Report 07-1. Edited by C.P.G. Pereira and D.G. Walsh. Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources, Geological Survey, p. 103-116.

McClenaghan, S.H., Lentz, D.R., and Beaumont-Smith, C.J., 2006, The gold-rich Louvicourt volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, New Brunswick: A Kuroko analogue in the Bathurst Mining Camp. Exploration and Mining Geology, v.15, p. 127-154.

McClenaghan, S.H., Lentz, D.R., and Fyffe, L.R., 2006, Chemostratigraphy of volcanic rocks hosting massive sulphide clasts within the Meductic Group, southwestern New Brunswick. Exploration and Mining Geology, v.15, p. 241-261.

MacLellan, K.L., Lentz, D.R., and McClenaghan, S.H., 2006, The Brunswick No. 6 massive sulfide Cu zone, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada: Petrology, Geochemistry, and Genesis. Exploration and Mining Geology, v.15, p. 53-76.

Walker, J.A., Lentz, D.R., and McClenaghan, S.H., 2006, The Orvan Brook massive sulfide deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. Exploration and Mining Geology, v.15, p. 155-176.

McClenaghan, S.H., Lentz, D.R., and Walker, J.A., 2005, Back-arc basin constraints and the role of extension in the formation of Ordovician volcanogenic massive sulfides, Bathurst Mining Camp, Canada. In Proceedings of the 8th Biennial SGA meeting, Beijing, China, Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, 4p.

McCutcheon, S.R., Walker, J.A., Bernard, P., Lentz, D.R., Downey, W.S., and McClenaghan, S.H., 2005, Stratigraphic setting of base-metal deposits in the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. Geological Association of Canada – Mineralogical Association of Canada Joint Meeting, Field Trip Guide Book, 105p.

McClenaghan, S.H., Lentz, D.R., and Cabri, L., 2004, Form of gold in massive sulfides: Textural evidence for the syngenetic deposition of gold in pyrite and arsenopyrite, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. Canadian Mineralogist, v.42, p. 851-871.

McClenaghan, S.H., Goodfellow, W.D., and Lentz, D.R., 2003, Gold in massive sulfide deposits, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick: Distribution and genesis. In Massive sulfide deposits in the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick and Northern Maine. Economic Geology Monograph 11, p. 303-326.

McCutcheon, S.R., Walker, J.A., and McClenaghan, S.H., 2001, The geological settings of massive sulfide deposits in the Bathurst Mining Camp: a synthesis. In Current Research 2000. Edited by B.M.W Carroll. New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy, Mineral Resource Report 2001-4, p. 63-95.