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

Lecturer and Researcher in Geoscience

Economic Geology Research Centre (EGRU)

Originally from New Zealand, I became interested in science at school. A particular intrigue in dynamic geological processes like earthquakes and volcanoes lead me to study geology at university and ultimately become a geologist!

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
• Stable metal isotopes in magmatic and hydrothermal systems

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:

Bachelor of Geology coordinator

Earth Science Major coordinator (Townsville)

Honours (Geology/Earth Science) coordinator

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)
• 2009 to 2011 - Research and teaching assistant, University of Auckland (Auckland, New Zealand)

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 Primary or 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.