Scientific mission
Activity of the Department of Mineral Resources and Geomaterials is oriented towards several directions:
- Mineralogical and geochemical investigation of ore and non-ore deposits in Slovakia and elsewhere in the World. Traditional analytical methods (electron probe micro-analysis, X-ray diffraction) are combined with fluid inclusion microthermometry, Raman spectrometry, and stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry (C, O, S) to characterize ores, raw and dump materials mineralogically, chemically and structurally. This approach supported by thermodynamic modelling has been employed to decipher origin of polymetallic ore deposits of Central Slovakian volcanics, magnesite, siderite, barite and stibnite deposits of the Slovakian Ore Mountains, a polymetallic ore deposit in Kosovo, apatite-magnetite deposits in Mozambique and Iran, and carbonatite deposits of China.
- Deciphering thermal history of sedimentary basins from the viewpoint of a possible exploitation of oil and gaseous hydrocarbons. For this purpose, we develop a complex of geochemical methods, including structural analysis of clay minerals, fluid inclusion microthermometry, and vitrinite reflectance. These methods have been employed to investigate possible oil and gas occurrences in Cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary basins of Western Carpathians.
- Mineralogical investigation in a broader sense aimed at non-traditional occurrences in Slovakia, critical elements and description of new or rare mineral species.
- Material analysis of historical artefacts and artworks with the aim of determining mineral compositions of medieval pigments, glazes and plasters, and petrographic investigation of sacral objects and historical buildings for the purpose of their restoration. This task is accomplished using traditional mineralogical, petrographic and imaging techniques combined with non-destructive sample analyses using Raman spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence.
Staff
- Head of department:
doc. RNDr. Vratislav Hurai, DrSc.
- Staff:
RNDr. Adrián Biroň, CSc.
RNDr. Igor Broska, DrSc.
Mgr. Stanislava Budačová
RNDr. Marian Janák, DrSc.
doc. RNDr. Stanislav Jeleň, CSc.
RNDr. Júlia Kotulová, PhD.
Mgr. Sergii Kurylo, PhD.
RNDr. Jaroslav Lexa, CSc.
RNDr. Ján Madarás, PhD.
Mgr. Tomáš Mikuš, PhD.
Mgr. Stanislava Milovská, PhD.
Mgr. Rastislav Milovský, PhD.
RNDr. Igor Petrík, DrSc.
RNDr. Ľubica Puškelová
RNDr. Pavol Siman, PhD.
Mgr. Jozef Vlasáč, PhD.