Mark Barton Email & Phone Number

My background and interests are in geology and geochemistry and the many applications to mineral resources. Having started as an experimental petrologist interested in mineral systems, my interests and those of my students and colleagues have expanded across many settings – from subduction zone metasomatism to contact metamorphism to arc-scale processes to many types of ore systems. A related passion has been to work with others to create organizations that address major ongoing needs, whether in mineral exploration (co-founding Bronco Creek Exploration with former students), or catalyzing and developing multi-disciplinary approaches to mineral resource challenges (CMR, LPEG, LIMR, SMMR).Backround on Lowell Program, CMR, Lowell IMR, and SMMR When recruited to Arizona, part of the appeal to me was the opportunity to work with other to address exciting opportunities and meet evolving challenges related to mineral resources. Building on an idea from the 1980s to rebuild connections among minerals disciplines across campus, I created the Center for Mineral Resources (CMR) in 1994 as a co-op among industry, USGS and UA. A major focus was on the geology and mineal deposits of Mexico. That co-op (and many related activities) evolved over time with other input into a focus on porphyry copper lifecyles. Through this work, our strong existing curriculum, and with the generous support of David Lowell, we created the new Lowell Program in Economic Geology (LPEG) in 2002, with Eric Seedorff as the inaugural Lowell Chair. Using his industry experience and lots of input, Eric led development of a new professional masters degree (the PSM). This provided additional flexibility for students returning to school for professional training, as well as for continuing professional eduction through intensive 10-day field-based courses (e.g. advanced ore deposit mapping). Given struggles in engineering and unrealized opportunities on campus, we worked with Mary Poulton (Mining Engineering) to create the Institute for Mineral Resources (subsequently endowed as the Lowell IMR in 2008) to enhance interactions and catalyze minerals-related activiies across campus. Major funding from Science Foundation Arizona and industry brought together people from across campus (10 colleges involved). Ultimately, this led in 2022 to the creation of the new trandiscipinary, state-funding School of Mining and Mineral Resources (SMMR) of which LIMR is part. SMMR and LIMR have unique structures, facilitating colloborations, research and education in ways that no traditional organization can.