KLS SC80 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FIELD COURSE "Structural Geology for Discovery - The Atacama Transect " With Dr. Matias Sanchez and Mr. Hugo Alcota Northern Atamaca Region (Copiapo,  - Diego de Almagro - El Salvador - Bahia Ingles) CHILE June 23 (Monday) to June 29 (Sunday), 2025 (5 full days & 2 half days)

 

A Field Course on Structural Geology Frameworks for Porphyry Copper, IOCG, and Epithermal Gold Systems in the Chilean Andes

Introduction 

This five-full days and two-half-days field course is designed for geologists in mineral exploration seeking to deepen their understanding of structural geology frameworks for Porphyry Copper, IOCG, and Epithermal Gold Systems. It examines the structural, stratigraphic, and magmatic-metallogenic evolution of the Andean orogen across the Atacama Region of northern Chile.

Participants will engage in regional and district-scale structural cross-section construction and geological synthesis across five distinct magmatic-metallogenic belts, analyzing the structural architecture, geological framework, and key structural controls of mineralized systems from the Jurassic to the Miocene.

Course Format and Delivery  

The short course will be led by Dr. Matias Sanchez and and assisted by local geologist, Mr Hugo. The course will run for 5 full field days throughout the Copiapo and Northeast areas.  There will be morning power point lectures and then field lectures, each day.  As well there will be a 1/2 day of morning lectures and Q&A on the last day, Sunday, June 29, 2025.  A comprehensive field guide will be provided.

Key structural domains covered in the course include:

This intensive field trip days will take place from June 24 to June 28, with arrivals and departures scheduled for June 23 and June29, respectively. The course begins in Copiapo and ends in Bahía Inglesa, a scenic coastal town known for its stunning beaches and relaxed atmosphere - it may not be warm enough to swim though due to that time of year being the beginning of Winter there, but there will be  lovely views and nice restaurants nearby.  Also close by is Playa La Virgen with similar water and sand and is apparently like a Caribbean beach.

The Atacama desert is considered one of the best places in the world for stargazing, providing unparalled views of the constellations, planets and the Milky Way.  40% of the worlds astronomic observation centres are in Northern Chile. The moon phase has a new moon on June 25th, so the sky should be dark and in favourable conditions to see the stars during our days of the course. The will sun set around 5:55pm during our time there too. The Astronomical Observatory Inca de Oro is neabry to our route and we will try to have access or if not, we plan to still have a stargazing viewing night.
It would be worth it to see the Musea Mineralogico de la University de Atacama. It is apparently the best mineral collection in all of Chile.  Unfortunately we will have no time to see it during also their limited hours and so it not part of our field course, but if you have some time before or after the course, I am sure it would be well worth it. And it is free!

Bahia Inglesa

Salar de Pedernales  (Salt flats)

Playa La Virgen

Astronomical Observatory Inca de Oro

El Salvador city, planned out like a Roman soldier helmet

Musea Mineralogico de la University de Atacama in Copiapo

Who should attend:
The course places special emphasis on recognizing key structural controls that influence mineralization, with direct applications for project generation and targeting. No prior experience in Andean geology or advanced structural geology training is required, making it accessible to a broad range of exploration geologists.

Itineray:
Day 1 - afternoon arrival, pick-up at airport if feasible, hotel check-in and welcome dinner
Day 2- Full Field Day 1:  Jurassic-Cretaceous Belts: The Atacama Fault Zone and the Manto Verde IOCG Framework
Day 3- Full Field Day 2:  Paleocene and Eocene Belt: Pre-Cordillera Frontal Thrust and the El Salvador PCD Framework
Day 4- Full Field Day 3:  Eocene Belt: The Potrerillos Fault and Thrust belt and PCD Framework
Day 5- Full Field Day 4:  Miocene Belt: Maricunga, Salar de Pedernales Basin and the La Coipa Framework
Day 6- Full Field Day 5:  Cretaceous Belt: Chañarcillo basin and the Candelaria - Punta del Cobre IOCG District
Day 7: morning lecture and Q&A wrap up, good-byes, hotel check-out, drop-off at airport if feasible

Reguired equipment and terrain and altitude considerations:
All participants should bring field boots, a rock-climbing type helmet (or hard hat) with a chin strap, a high visibilty field vest, wind goggles and field type clothing.
Most outcrops are accessible via roads or short traverses on foot but some are more involved, hence all participants should be comfortable walking up and down steep traverses with uneven terrain at times for up to 30 minutes at a time. And out in the field for sometimes 1-2 hours at a time. 
We will be travelling by vehicle up to altitudes of 3800 metres (on Day 4), and around 3500 metres on some other days, hence altitude sickness is a possibility for some participants. We though will be sleeping at lower altitudes of approximately 2500m.  The course is best for participants who already know that they will not have any altitude issues up to 3800 metres. You can also usually obtain an altitiude test at a clinic in your local city to see if you will be okay or not.
We will also have an extra vehicle to drive down anyone to lower altitudes as/if needed.

The course is presented and taught in English with some help in Spanish as needed.

Dr. Matías Sánchez is a structural geologist and Director of Fault Rocks Inc., with over 20 years of experience in mineral exploration and research on porphyry Cu, IOCG, epithermal and orogenic gold, and sediment-hosted systems. His work spans the Andes, North American Cordillera, Tethyan, and Appalachian orogens.   He holds a geology degree from Universidad de Concepción, Chile, an M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Royal Holloway University of London, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at MDRU, University of British Columbia.   His expertise includes structural-alteration-mineralization mapping, structural and tectonic interpretation, and the integration of geological data, geophysics, satellite imagery, and elevation models for exploration targeting and project generation. He is actively engaged in advancing practical techniques for structural analysis, publishing research, and delivering professional development courses for the mining industry.

Mr. Hugo Alcota is an economic geologist with nearly 25 years of experience in mineral exploration, specializing in porphyry copper, IOCG, and epithermal systems. He has been a key member of discovery teams for major deposits, including Toki and RT Norte in the Chuquicamata district, Andina, and El Salvador.   His expertise includes structural and alteration mapping, drill core logging, and integrated data analysis for exploration targeting. He spent nearly 20 years at Codelco, followed by key roles at Vale and Marimaca Copper, contributing to exploration models and target generation. Hugo has also co-authored technical publications on Andean metallogeny and continues to advance structural geology applications in mineral exploration.

$5497 CAD early registration (to Fri June 13, 2025)  |  $5797 CAD  late registration (after Fri June 13, 2025)
(Approximately $3,790 USD for the early price & $4,070 USD for the late price)

Fee includes: Five & 1/2 (5.5) full days of instruction, 6 nights double-occupancy lodging (June 23 to June 29), welcome arrival dinner, 5 full days of meals (breakfast, picnic lunch, group dinners) & 1 breakfast on the last day, ground transportation to field sites, fuel, permits, tuition fees, field deposit fees, guidebook with pre-selected relevant papers, and participation certificate. 

Getting to Copiapo:
1. Plane; Copiapo has an interntaional and domestic airport called Copiapo (CPO). All international flights first go thru Santiago.

Space is limited for all Courses. Register early to avoid disappointment.
KLS Geological reserves the right to cancel Short Courses that do not meet minimum attendance requirements by the early fee date.

Minimum of 14 participants required by the early registration date
Maximum of 22 participants overall

Payments accepted by cheque, wire and bank transfers, and all major credit cards

Register here by filling in the attached registration form, and sending it back by email, fax or by mail

Please contact Karie Smith at karie@klsgeo.com for more information....