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Dr. Sean Mc Clenaghan

Assistant Professor (Geology)
MUSEUM BUILDING
      
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Dr. Sean Mc Clenaghan

Assistant Professor (Geology)
MUSEUM BUILDING

 mcclens@tcd.ie

 3531896 1585


In 2013, Dr. Sean Harrison McClenaghan, BSc., MSc., PhD., PGeo was appointed to the Assistant Professor position in Economic Geology in the Department of Geology, Trinity College Dublin. Sean has been an active researcher in mineral deposits geology for 15 years, with a wide range of professional experience in governments, academia and the exploration industry. He is an expert on the trace-element geochemistry of hydrothermal systems, in particular Pb-Zn massive sulfide deposits. Focussed research has taken advantage of the most up to date, state of the art analytical techniques available (e.g., Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, Laser-Ablation ICP-MS) with the goal of dissecting ore-forming systems. Classic research streams have focussed on the form and distribution of Au in volcanic and shale-hosted massive sulfides as well as dissecting high temperature feeder zones in the search for useful trace-element vectors. Some of his more recent work has focussed on the trace-element systematics of hydrothermal apatite in large Zn-Pb deposits. Through the course of this research, Sean elucidated controls on Rare Earth Element (REE) transport and deposition, revealing anomalous signatures in phosphate minerals. Practical industry-directed studies have focussed on the analysis of ores, concentrates and waste tailings with the goal of optimizing production. Much of the research output detailed here has focussed on the application of advanced geochemical techniques to the exploration (vectoring) for Pb-Zn deposits and development of ore resources. In the coming years, focus will be directed towards applying this advanced research expertise on Irish ore systems with the goal of fostering knowledge, exploration and development of Ireland's mineral wealth.
Project Title
 Novel geochemical methods for mineral exploration in Irish peatlands
From
2014
To
2016
Summary
The terrain in which geologists explore is becoming more mature. With most of the near surface (easy-to-find) deposits discovered, exploration geologists are now focussing their attention towards "blind deposits" buried beneath peatland, thick glacial overburden and barren cover rock. Refinement of existing exploration techniques and development of new analytical methods are required to advance exploration the next level. Conventional soil geochemical surveys in Ireland have employed Aqua Regia and Multi-Acid extraction/digestion techniques in their analytical methodology. These methods have been highly successful in delineating mineralisation in the British and Irish Isles; however, in peatland settings, conventional geochemistry is known to produce spurious results. This research is developing criteria for geochemical exploration in Irish peatlands making use of techniques such as Ionic Leach, Enzyme Leach, and biogeochemistry as well as state of the art instrumentation. These novel methods, which have not been widely used in Ireland, are increasingly being employed globally to detect blind deposits and have great potential for success in the peatlands of Ireland.
Funding Agency
Irish Research Council
Programme
Employment Based Postgraduate Programme
Project Type
M.Sc
Project Title
 Characterising dispersed metal plumes in surficial soils and sediments in the Irish Midlands: Using isotope fingerprints to develop vectors in mineral exploration
From
2014
To
2017
Summary
Fingerprinting the dispersion of metal, trace-element and stable isotopic (Zn, Pb, Cu, Fe) signatures in vegetation, soil and glacial tills overlying Pb-Zn deposits. Three-dimensional modelling of the metal plume features a chemical profile reconstructing the full isotopic pathway from metal deposit to soil. Characterizing the metal and isotopic haloes surrounding carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn deposits and within their overlying sediments has wide applications for the Irish Midlands and glacial terranes, worldwide.
Funding Agency
European Union - Marie Curie Framework
Programme
IsoNose
Project Type
2 PhD Projects
Person Months
36
Project Title
 Raw Materials Characterization
From
Sept 2015
To
Sept 2019
Summary
Characterisation of Raw materials across a range of mineral deposit types, worldwide. iCRAG
Funding Agency
Science Foundation Ireland
Programme
iCRAG
Project Type
4 PhD + 2 PDoc Fellows
Person Months
48
Project Title
 Resolving the Paragenesis of Gold in Co. Wicklow
From
Sept 2018
To
Sept 2019
Summary
Geological Survey of Ireland Short Call Funding for a project investigating the setting of gold at the Avoca VMS depsosit, SE Ireland.
Funding Agency
Geological Survey of Ireland
Programme
Short Call Research
Project Type
Research
Person Months
12
Project Title
 ERAMiN II Gold Insight
From
Sept 2018
To
Sept 2021
Summary
Using microanalytical tools to resolve the setting of precious metals in complex structural terranes.
Funding Agency
ERAMIN/ERANET - GSI
Programme
ERAMIN
Project Type
Post-Doc Fellow
Person Months
36

Page 1 of 2
Details Date
Peer Reviewer of papers for Minerals, Mineralium Deposita, Ore Geology Reviews, Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 2010-Present
President - International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits 2019 - 2023
Ex Officio Council Member Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits - SGA 2019 - 2023
Council Member Irish Association of Economic Geology - IAEG 2015 - 2019
Editor Gangue Newsletter, Mineral Deposits Division, Geological Association of Canada 2012-2014
Test Bank Contributor for Pearson Publishing 2013-2014
Details Date From Date To
Society of Economic Geologists - SEG 2003 Present
International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits - IAGOD 2013 Present
The Mineralogical Society - MinSoc 2024 Present
Irish Association of Economic Geologists - IAEG 2013 Present
Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada 2008 Present
Geological Association of Canada, Mineral Deposits Division 2006 Present
Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum 2008 2014
Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits 2003 2022
Atlantic Geological Society 2004 2014
Sabina Strmi" Palinkaš, Frida Riple Forsberg, Rolf Birger Pedersen, Håvard Hallås Stubseid, Seán H. McClenaghan, Jorge E. Spangenberg, Metallogenic model of the Lykling ophiolite-hosted lode Au deposit, Scandinavian Caledonides: Insight from fluid inclusions, mineral chemistry and stable isotope geochemistry, Ore Geology Reviews, 173, 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  URL
T. Ucar, S.H. McClenaghan, D.R. Lentz, Alteration and mineralization features of the Akcal Epithermal Gold Deposit, Biga Peninsula, Western Anatolia, Turkey: Evidence for low-sulfidation Au-Ag-Sb mineralization, Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  URL
Qing Sun, Xiaobo Zhao, Chunji Xue, Reimar Seltmann, Sean H. McClenaghan, Yangjie Li, David T.A. Symons, Neoproterozoic tectonic shift from collisional orogenesis to intraplate extension in the Yili Block, southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt, PRECAMBRIAN RESEARCH, 2022, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
Zhou, Lingli, Riegler, Thomas, Bonnetti, Christophe, McClenaghan, Sean, Kamber, Balz, Revisiting the Happy Jack Uraninite Reference Material: A Combined Electron Beam and Laser Ablation In Situ Study, GEOSTANDARDS AND GEOANALYTICAL RESEARCH, 46, (4), 2022, p735 - 749, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
Gisbert, G., Tornos, F., Losantos, E., McClenaghan, S.H., Pons, J.M., Videira, J.C., Brodbeck M., Vectors to ore in replacive volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits of the northern Iberian Pyrite Belt: Major and trace element mineral chemistry, Ore Geology Reviews, 147, 2022, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
Sun, Q., Zhao, X., Xue, C., Seltmann, R., McClenaghan, S.H., Chu, H., Wang, M., Two episodes of Late Paleozoic mafic magmatism in the western Tianshan Orogen: From Carboniferous subduction to Permian post-collisional extension, Gondwana Research, 109, 2022, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
Brodbeck, M., McClenaghan, S.H., Kamber, B.S., Redmond, P., Metal(loid) Deportment in Sulfides from the High-Grade Core of the Bingham Canyon Porphyry Cu-Mo-Au Deposit, Economic Geology, 117, 2022, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
Bing Yu, Qingdong Zeng, Hartwig E. Frimmel, Jinhui Yang, Lingli Zhou, Foteini Drakou, Sean H. Mcclenaghan, Yongbin Wang, Ruiliang Wang, The genesis of Xindian gold deposit, Liaodong Peninsula, NE China: Constraints from zircon U"Pb ages, S"Pb isotopes, and pyrite trace element chemistry, Resource Geology, 72, (1), 2022, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
Yu, B., Zeng, Q., Frimmel, H.E., Zhou, L., McClenaghan, S.H., Drakou, F., Wang, Y., Chen, P., Yu, Magmatic-hydrothermal origin of the Xinfang gold deposit, Liaodong Peninsula, China, revealed by in-situ S"Pb isotopes and trace element analyses of pyrite, Resource Geology, 71, (2), 2021, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
McClenaghan, S.H., Intra-Granular Distribution of Energy Critical Elements in Sulphide Minerals: Resolving Paragenesis and Resource Potential Through Laser Ablation ICP-MS, Proceedings of the 15th Quadrennial Symposium of IAGOD, 15th Quadrennial International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits, Salta, Argentina, August 28-31, 2018, edited by Daniel Rastelli, Dolores Álvarez, Noelia Iannizzotto, Ines Korzeniweski, Cintia Marquetti,Feliciano Pagnanini, Javier Peroni, Susana Segal , 15, IAGOD, 2019, pp292 - 293, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
  

Page 1 of 4
McClenaghan, S.H., Humby, P.L., Kavanagh, R., 'EIT Raw Materials RM @Schools Raw Materials Handbook and Toolkit Teaching Materials', EIT Raw Materials, Online, EIT Raw Materials, 2023, -, Digital research resource production, PUBLISHED
Zhong S., Seltmann R., Zhu J., McClenaghan S., Editorial: Accessory mineral geochemistry and its application in mineral exploration, Frontiers in Earth Science, 2023, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
McClenaghan, S., Stratford, J., Technical report to Dalradian Gold Ltd. A petrographic and geochemical study of the Curraghinalt Gold Deposit, Industry Report - Dalradian Resources, iCRAG, 2020, Report, PUBLISHED
Brodbeck, M., McClenaghan, S., Geochemical Report - August 2020 Precious Metal and Energy-Critical Element Deportment in Cu ores from the Quebrada Blanca Deposit TECK Resources Limited, Industry Report - TECK, iCRAG, 2020, Report, PUBLISHED
Brodbeck, M., McClenaghan, S., Final Report of metal deportment at the Relincho and La Fortuna porphyry deposits for Nueva Union, Industry Report - TECK, iCRAG, 2020, Report, PUBLISHED
Stratford, J., McClenaghan, S., Final technical report to Bowpark Exploration Ltd: A petrographic and geochemical study of the cloonacool gold prospect, Industry Report - Bowpark Exploration Ltd., iCRAG, 2020, Report, PUBLISHED
Brodbeck, M., McClenaghan, S., Preliminary Report - February 2019 South American Porphyry Research, TECK Resources Ltd., Industry Report - TECK, iCRAG, 2019, Report, PUBLISHED
Brodbeck, M., McClenaghan, S., Report La Fortuna/Relincho Drill Core Sampling August 2018 NuevaUnión Core Facilities, Vallenar and Relincho Camp, Chile, Industry Report - TECK, iCRAG, 2019, Report, PUBLISHED
Stratford, J., McClenaghan, S., Geochemical paragenesis of pyrite associated with orogenic gold and Curraghinalt, Northern Ireland, Industry Report - Dalradian Resources, iCRAG, 2019, Report, PUBLISHED
McClenaghan, S., Resolving the Paragenesis of Precious Metals in the Avoca District: Implications for late Orogenic gold at Kilmacoo Co Wicklow, Geological Survey of Ireland Short Call Report, Geological Survey of Ireland, 2019, Report, PUBLISHED

  


Page 1 of 3
Award Date
MA Trinity College Dublin 2022
William Harvey Gross 2014
Barlow Memorial Medal 2008
Magee Third Century Postgraduate Merit Award 2005
W.J. Wright Graduate Fellowship 2003
John F.H. Teed, Q.C. Memorial Prize in Science 1993
Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Undergraduate Award 1993
My research encompasses a wide range of mineral deposit types with a general focus on trace mineral vectoring. This is applied through geochemical and isotopic analysis of materials with the aim of identifying elemental variations, which demonstrate an observed trend towards mineralization. Within these dynamic environments, we can determine the physiochemical processes controlling dispersion of elements along mineralized trends as well as in the near-surface environment where deposits may be hidden under deep profiles of alluvium, peat and soil; recent projects have investigated geochemical and isotopic vectors in glacial till, soils, peat and vegetation. This geochemical vectoring research approach is currently being applied to a range of mineral deposit types around the world, including porphyry Cu-Mo, volcanogenic massive sulphides (Cu-Pb-Zn), Banded Iron Formations, Carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn, and Orogenic Au systems. Complimentary work has also focussed on the occurrence of Critical Raw Materials (CRM) in a wide range of these mineral deposit systems and their associated waste tailings and spoils. Research projects have been initiated on this CRM research worldwide through targeted Trinity-iCRAG projects and international collaborators. The initiation and continued operation of our Raw Materials Characterization Laboratory features Laser Ablation ICP-MS instrumentation that facilitates much of this research and that of iCRAG users, as well as attracting collaboration from around the globe with research partnerships developed with Norway, Sweden, Spain, Poland, France, Turkey, Tunisia, Iran, Canada, U.S.A., Chile, China and the U.K. Supporting research into the development and use of analytical standards are vital to the continued growth of our Trinity facilities and competitiveness, globally. Altogether, this holistic approach to geochemical dispersion around mineral deposits is unique and not typically encountered in mineral deposit research programs. This research programme is consistent with current global research trends, and relies upon continued innovation within the analytical facilities at Trinity College.