Helen McCoy-West (Helen Cocker on OrcidID and Google Scholar) 

Lecturer and Researcher in Geoscience, Economic Geology Research Centre (EGRU)

My main areas of interest are petrology, geochemistry, mineralogy, and geochronology, with a focus on igneous systems and ore deposits. My research primarily investigates the role of magmas in ore deposit formation. My current research at JCU is focussed on the geochemistry and geochronology of igneous rock suites in the Mt. Isa Inlier, predominantly in the Mary Kathleen Domain.

My previous research projects include:

• Mineralogy and geochemistry of epithermal Au-Ag deposits in New Zealand
• Mineralogical aspects of ironsands in New Zealand and how mineralogical variation affects the iron and steel manufacturing processes
• Geochemistry and geochronology of igneous suites associated with porphyry Cu±Au deposits to investigate the impact of sulfide saturation on porphyry formation

 

Other roles:

Earth Science Major coordinator (Townsville)

Honours (Earth Science) coordinator

Gender Equity Action and Research (GEAR) committee

CSIRO STEM professionals in schools participant

 

Teaching

• EA2220: Minerals and Magmas (Level 2; CNS & TSV)
• EA3130: Advanced Petrology (Level 3; TSV)
• EA5048: Minerals and Magmas (Level 5; TSV)
• EV3454: Natural Hazards (Level 3; CNS & TSV)
• EV5454: Natural Hazards (Level 5; CNS & TSV)

Interests

Research

• Igneous petrology
• Economic geology
• Magmatic and hydrothermal ore deposits
• Geochemistry
• Geochronology

Teaching

• Natural hazards
• Volcanology
• Mineralogy and petrology
• Geochemistry

Experience

• 2020 to present - Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2020 - Post doc researcher, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2012 to 2016 - PhD candidate, Australian National University (Canberra)

Research Disciplines

• Geology (3705)
• Geochemistry (3703)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Expanding knowledge (2801)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Le T, Dirks P, Sanislav I, Harris C, Huizenga J, McCoy-West H and Manestar G (2022) Quartz oxygen isotopes from Tick Hill area in Mount Isa Inlier: indication of a regional fluid overprint. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 69 (3). pp. 439-452
• Le X, Dirks P, Sanislav I, Huizenga J, McCoy-West H and Manestar G (2021) Geochronological constraints on the geological history and gold mineralization in the Tick Hill region, Mt Isa Inlier. Precambrian Research, 366.
• Le T, Dirks P, Sanislav I, Huizenga J, Cocker H and Manestar G (2021) Geological setting and mineralization characteristics of the Tick Hill Gold Deposit, Mount Isa Inlier, Queensland, Australia. Ore Geology Reviews, 137.
• Park J, Campbell I, Malaviarachchi S, Cocker H, Hao H and Kay S (2019) Chalcophile element fertility and the formation of porphyry Cu ± Au deposits. Mineralium Deposita, 54. pp. 657-670
• Lowczak J, Campbell I, Cocker H, Park J and Cooke D (2018) Platinum-group element geochemistry of the Forest Reef Volcanics, southeastern Australia: implications for porphyry Au-Cu mineralisation. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 220. pp. 385-406
• Cocker H, Valente D, Park J and Campbell I (2016) Using platinum group elements to identify sulfide saturation in a porphyry Cu system: the El Abra porphyry Cu deposit, northern Chile. Journal of Petrology, 56 (12). pp. 2491-2514
• Cocker H, Mauk J and Rabone S (2013) The origin of Ag–Au–S–Se minerals in adularia-sericite epithermal deposits: constraints from the Broken Hills deposit, Hauraki Goldfield, New Zealand. Mineralium Deposita, 48. pp. 249-266

Book Chapters

• Mauk J, Cocker H, Rogers H, Ogiliev J and Padya A (2016) Geometallurgy of ironsand from the Waikato North Head deposit, New Zealand. In: AusIMM Monograph 31: Mineral Deposits of New Zealand�Exploration and Research. The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Carlton, pp. 435-442

Other research outputs

• Cocker H, Park J and Campbell I (2016) Sulfide saturation during the magmatic evolution of porphyry Cu ± Au systems. Abstracts from the 4th International Workshop on Highly Siderophile Element Geochemistry. 11-14 July 2016, Durham, UK

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Understanding the geologic connection between Cape York and Zealandia: Insights from the Laura Basin (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Refining Tephrostratigraphic approaches in Deep Time through Glass Melt Inclusion and Isotopic Fingerprinting of Heavy Mineral Separates in Heavy Minerals (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• The critical mineral potential of the Kennedy Igeous Association: petrogenesis, tectonic setting and metallogeny (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Investigating Global REE ion adsorption deposits to understand their genesis: Investigating trace element and REE stable isotope systematics. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.