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Hyperspectral Imaging for Mining and Mineral Resources 

Step into the cutting edge of mining technology with our dynamic course on Hyperspectral Imaging for Mining and Mineral Resources. Designed for professionals eager to harness the power of advanced imaging, this program offers hands-on experience with visible to long-wave infrared spectrometers and real-world data collection techniques.

 

The 2nd edition of the Short Course on Hyperspectral Imaging for Mining and Mineral Resources will take place from January 5-14, 2026 

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UA students must enroll in MIN/MNE/GEOS 404/504H through UAccess to participate in the course and fill out this form, for organizational purposes.

Course details 

Hyperspectral Imaging for Mining and Mineral Resources introduces participants to hyperspectral imaging using visible- to long-wave infrared imaging spectrometers. Participants will learn how to collect laboratory and ground-truth spectral data of rocks and minerals, and to process and interpret hyperspectral data from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Airborne, Satellite, and tripod-mounted systems for mining and mineral resources. The course also delves into future applications of hyperspectral imaging in mining and mineral resources.

 

This course lasts 10 days and includes lectures, laboratories, field trips, and a hands-on project. 

 

Topics covered in the Lectures

  • Physics (Interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter);
  • Mineral, vegetation, and gases spectra (VNIR-SWIR, MWIR-LWIR, FLWIR, Raman);
  • Laboratory, field, drill core, aircraft, satellite measurements with imaging and non-imaging infrared spectrometers (VNIR-SWIR, MWIR-LWIR, Raman);
  • Spectral Collections [Field collection: UAS – drone, Tripod (VNIR-SWIR, LWIR), Field measurements (Raman, VNIR-SWIR, Niton XRF), Laboratory measurements (VNIR, SWIR, MWIR Imagers, ASD/Spectral Evolution), Drill core measurements];
  • Instrument calibration and storage of data in spectral data cubes and libraries;
  • Preprocessing of image data, laboratory, and field measurements, assessments of data quality;
  • Spectral interpretation strategy: linking spectra to mineral/rock composition;
  • Mineral mapping rock samples, drill core, airborne (UAS-drone and aircraft), spaceborne; 

  • Link infrared spectra to rock/mineral properties, mineral processing, geometallurgical properties;

     

Topics covered in the Labs

  • Laboratory measurements (Specim FX-10, SWIR camera, Specim FX-50, FNeoscanner, ASD/Spectral Evolution)
  • Laboratory measurements and analysis of minerals using HSI data
  • Measurements and analysis of rocks and/or core using laboratory HSI data
  • Analysis of VSWIR Satellite HSI data
  • Analysis of field collection HSI data 

  • Analysis of LWIR HSI data

     

Field trip

Field collection of Tripod (VNIR, SWIR, MWIR Imagers) and Field measurements (Raman, VNIR-SWIR, Niton XRF) at San Xavier Mine.

 

Audience 

This short course was designed for graduate students, upper-level undergraduates, members of industry, and other professionals.

 

Venue and logistics 

The lecture and laboratory sessions are held at the Gould-Simpson Building, located at 1040 East 4th Street, Tucson, AZ 85721-0077. Campus Map here.

 

Fees and Registration 

The fee for the short course is US$3,500 (early registration fee, see registration form for more information). After that, the course fee increases to US$3,700.

What your registration fee payment entitles you to:

  • Short course handbook, laboratory materials, and software
  • Two coffee breaks per day (coffee, tea, pastries) during lecture sessions
  • Lunches (boxed sandwich meals) for field days
  • All transportation during field trips 

What you pay for:

  • Hotel for all nights
  • Meals (except for the box lunch)

  • Airfare or other form of transportation to and from Tucson

     

Meet the Instructor

Dr. Riley earned a B.S. in Geology from Oregon State University, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from The Ohio State University. Before arriving at the University of Arizona in 2022, he spent over 20 years working on advanced research and development using hyperspectral sensors across from the visible through longwave infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum for the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC), a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), and several DoD/IC contractors. He was a Battalion Commander in the Army Reserve with earlier deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Additionally, he is the Chief Technology Officer for a Canadian start-up focused on software automation, hyperspectral imaging analytics, and integrating subject matter expertise with machine learning and artificial intelligence. Dr. Riley’s research primarily focuses on hyperspectral and multispectral imaging and its relevance in mining, mineral resources, and geological sciences and engineering.

 

Information for non-US residents

Non-US residents or citizens who want to participate in the short course must have a US visa or check whether they are eligible for an ESTA. If you have to apply for a U.S. visa to enter the U.S, we work with you to ensure you have the necessary documents for your application. Please note that we do not initiate visa applications.

During the course, you will be asked to sign a “Statement of Honoraria Recipients” (used in association with expenses associated with the activities of foreign visitors who come to the US on visa types B1/B2 and WB/WT). We will also make a photocopy of your passport page showing the photograph and expiration date, and the passport page showing the visa, or alternatively, Mexican Border Crossing Card (Nationals of countries that participate in the “US visa waiver program” do not need a visa to enter the US).