A/Prof Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio

Dig deep or dig shallow: investigating epithermal gold in the Philippines

Epithermal deposits are bonanza grade mineralization formed by hydrothermal processes at the shallow crust. The complex tectonic setting of the Philippines – sandwiched between two subduction zones and traversed by a strike-slip fault – resulted in various types of mineralization, foremost of which is epithermal gold deposition. Despite centuries of gold mining in the country, many prospects have yet to be investigated in detail. My talk will focus on these lesser known gold deposits and their mineralization characteristics determined from field observation, microscopy, fluid inclusion, stable isotope and mineral chemistry. I will also share my experiences in studying these less-studied epithermal gold deposits in the Philippines.

Biography

Jill obtained her BS and MS Geology degrees from the University of the Philippines, then moved to Japan for her PhD in Earth Resources Engineering (2012) then post-doctoral stint at the Research Institute of Environment for Sustainability (2012-2015) in Kyushu University. She is now working as an Assistant Professor in the University of the Philippines, while also raising two preschoolers with her husband. Her research and mentoring focuses on the geology, petrology and mineralization of less-studied epithermal gold-porphyry copper deposits. She’s also working on rare earth element potential of nickel laterite deposits in the Philippines. She is currently the Board Secretary of the Geological Society of the Philippines.