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James Lambert-Smith
Lecturer in Exploration and Resource Geology
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
My expertise lies in the genesis of hydrothermal mineral deposits, with a particular focus on gold, copper and critical minerals such as tin and tungsten. I employ techniques such as stable isotope geochemistry and fluid inclusion analysis to investigate the origins of ore-forming fluids, the processes they undergo at sites of metal deposition, and the sources of their metal cargo. My work plays a role in informing exploration strategies for new mineral resources. I am also interested in sustainability issues surround artisanal and small scale mining.
I engage in research collaborations with industrial partners, with a focus on co-creating enhanced geological models. I strongly believe in the potential of these collaborations to provide the mineral resources necessary for society to achieve net-zero emissions in the coming decades.
As the lead for the Critical Metals theme at the Cardiff University Net Zero Innovation Institute, I am committed to fostering innovative research and collaboration and I aim to bridge the gap between academia and industry, driving forward research that not only pushes the boundaries of our scientific understanding of mineral deposits but also has a tangible impact on our society and environment.
Publication
2024
- Monteiro, M. et al. 2024. Critical Notes on Co-production: Empirical Analyses on Sustainable Mining Co-design in Northern Brazil. In: Greco, C. ed. Politics and Practices of the Ethnographies of Biomedicine and STEM. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, (10.1007/978-3-031-65797-9_6)
2023
- Torvela, T., Lambert-Smith, J. S. and Chapman, R. J. eds. 2023. Recent advances in understanding gold deposits: From Orogeny to Alluvium. Vol. 1. The Geological Society. (10.1144/sp516)
2022
- Torvela, T., Chapman, R. and Lambert-Smith, J. 2022. An introduction to Recent Advances in Understanding Gold Deposits: from Orogeny to Alluvium: the importance of multi-method approaches and developing a characterization. Geological Society Special Publications 516(1) (10.1144/SP516-2022-196)
2020
- Lambert-Smith, J. S., Allibone, A., Treloar, P. J., Lawrence, D. M., Boyce, A. J. and Fanning, M. 2020. Stable C, O, and S isotope record of magmatic-hydrothermal interactions between the Falémé Fe Skarn and the Loulo Au systems in Western Mali. Economic Geology 115(7) (10.5382/econgeo.4759)
2017
- Lawrence, D., Allibone, A., Chang, Z., Meffre, S., Lambert-Smith, J. S. and Treloar, P. J. 2017. The Tongon Au Deposit, Northern Côte d’Ivoire: an example of Paleoproterozoic Au Skarn Mineralization. Economic Geology 112(7), pp. 1571-1593. (10.5382/econgeo.2017.4522)
2016
- Lambert-Smith, J. S., Rocholl, A., Treloar, P. J. and Lawrence, D. M. 2016. Discriminating fluid source regions in orogenic gold deposits using B-isotopes. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 194, pp. 57-76. (10.1016/j.gca.2016.08.025)
- Lambert-Smith, J. S., Lawrence, D. M., Vargas, C. A., Boyce, A. J., Treloar, P. J. and Herbert, S. 2016. The Gounkoto Au deposit, West Africa: Constraints on ore genesis and volatile sources from petrological, fluid inclusion and stable isotope data. Ore Geology Reviews 78, pp. 606-622. (10.1016/j.oregeorev.2015.10.025)
- Lambert-Smith, J. S., Lawrence, D. M., Müller, W. and Treloar, P. J. 2016. Palaeotectonic setting of the south-eastern Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier, West Africa: New insights from igneous trace element geochemistry and U-Pb zircon ages. Precambrian Research 274, pp. 110-135. (10.1016/j.precamres.2015.10.013)
- Lawrence, D. M., Lambert-Smith, J. and Treloar, P. J. 2016. A review of gold mineralization in Mali. In: Bouabdellah, M. and Slack, J. F. eds. Mineral Deposits of North Africa. Mineral Resource Reviews Springer, pp. 327-351., (10.1007/978-3-319-31733-5_13)
Articles
- Torvela, T., Chapman, R. and Lambert-Smith, J. 2022. An introduction to Recent Advances in Understanding Gold Deposits: from Orogeny to Alluvium: the importance of multi-method approaches and developing a characterization. Geological Society Special Publications 516(1) (10.1144/SP516-2022-196)
- Lambert-Smith, J. S., Allibone, A., Treloar, P. J., Lawrence, D. M., Boyce, A. J. and Fanning, M. 2020. Stable C, O, and S isotope record of magmatic-hydrothermal interactions between the Falémé Fe Skarn and the Loulo Au systems in Western Mali. Economic Geology 115(7) (10.5382/econgeo.4759)
- Lawrence, D., Allibone, A., Chang, Z., Meffre, S., Lambert-Smith, J. S. and Treloar, P. J. 2017. The Tongon Au Deposit, Northern Côte d’Ivoire: an example of Paleoproterozoic Au Skarn Mineralization. Economic Geology 112(7), pp. 1571-1593. (10.5382/econgeo.2017.4522)
- Lambert-Smith, J. S., Rocholl, A., Treloar, P. J. and Lawrence, D. M. 2016. Discriminating fluid source regions in orogenic gold deposits using B-isotopes. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 194, pp. 57-76. (10.1016/j.gca.2016.08.025)
- Lambert-Smith, J. S., Lawrence, D. M., Vargas, C. A., Boyce, A. J., Treloar, P. J. and Herbert, S. 2016. The Gounkoto Au deposit, West Africa: Constraints on ore genesis and volatile sources from petrological, fluid inclusion and stable isotope data. Ore Geology Reviews 78, pp. 606-622. (10.1016/j.oregeorev.2015.10.025)
- Lambert-Smith, J. S., Lawrence, D. M., Müller, W. and Treloar, P. J. 2016. Palaeotectonic setting of the south-eastern Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier, West Africa: New insights from igneous trace element geochemistry and U-Pb zircon ages. Precambrian Research 274, pp. 110-135. (10.1016/j.precamres.2015.10.013)
Book sections
- Monteiro, M. et al. 2024. Critical Notes on Co-production: Empirical Analyses on Sustainable Mining Co-design in Northern Brazil. In: Greco, C. ed. Politics and Practices of the Ethnographies of Biomedicine and STEM. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, (10.1007/978-3-031-65797-9_6)
- Lawrence, D. M., Lambert-Smith, J. and Treloar, P. J. 2016. A review of gold mineralization in Mali. In: Bouabdellah, M. and Slack, J. F. eds. Mineral Deposits of North Africa. Mineral Resource Reviews Springer, pp. 327-351., (10.1007/978-3-319-31733-5_13)
Books
- Torvela, T., Lambert-Smith, J. S. and Chapman, R. J. eds. 2023. Recent advances in understanding gold deposits: From Orogeny to Alluvium. Vol. 1. The Geological Society. (10.1144/sp516)
Research
As a researcher I am committed to using my expertise to support progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. My research is primarily focused on understanding the hydrothermal and magmatic processes that lead to the economic concentration of gold in the Earth’s crust. This work aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) as it involves innovative techniques and collaborations with industrial partners to ensure the impact of the research extends beyond academia.
In addition to hydrothermal gold mineralisation, I am part of an interdisciplinary group working on sustainable development issues in artisanal and small-scale mining with colleagues from Unicamp in Brazil. This work directly contributes to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting sustainable mining practices.
Currently, I am applying the knowledge gained from my research on gold deposits to better understand ore-forming systems that give rise to concentrations of Critical Metals in support of the recently published UK Critical Mineral Strategy. These metals are crucial for the transition to net zero, aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
I am also interested in the concept of ultimately recoverable resources and the distribution of rocks with metal concentrations below current mining capabilities.
Teaching
I teach fundemental concepts in resource geology (including metal, industrial mineral and aggregate deposits, energy resources and hydrogeology) to first year students. I also lead a second year exploration case studies module, which includes an introduction to handling real-world mineral exploration data using industry computer software.
I lead field courses in Cornwall and North Wales, and coordinate industrial placmenents for the Exploration Geology BSc program at Cardiff.
Biography
Career Overview
- Critical Metals Theme Lead - Net Zero Innovation Institute (NZII) at Cardiff University (2023 - present).
- External Examiner for the Exploration Geology and Mining Geology MSc programmes at Cambourne School of Mines (2021-present).
- Lecturer in Exploration and Resource Geology – School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University (2017- present).
- Lecturer in Applied Geology and Metamorphic Petrology – School of Geography and Geology, Kingston University, UK (2014 - 2017).
- Postgraduate Demonstrator - School of Geography and Geology, Kingston University, UK (2010-2013).
- Exploration and Resource Geologist Internship - Apex Minerals, Western Australia (2008).
Education and Qualifications
- Fellow of the Higher Education Acadamy (2020).
- PhD Economic Geology – Kingston University funded by Randgold Resources (2010 - 2014).
- MSci Geology – University of Southampton, UK (2005 - 2009).
Editorial Roles
- Associate Editor for Ore Geology Reviews (2020-present).
Professional Memberships
- Fellow of the Geological Society of London.
- Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG).
Supervisions
I am interested in supervising PhD students in the areas of:
- Metallogenesis
- Mineral deposits and mineral exploration
- Hydrothermal fluids
- Applied mineralogy
- Stable isotope geochemistry applied to ore deposits
Current supervision
Charles Routleff
Contact Details
+44 29208 74323
Main Building, Room 2.11, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT