Dr. David Käter

Petrographic, geochemical and micro-analytic investigation of sulfide paragenesis, cobalt deportment, lithogeochemistry and controls of mineralization in a sediment-hosted Cu-Co deposit in the Central African Copperbelt, DRC.

I reviewed and researched recent developments for end uses of rare earth elements, analyzed historical rare earth element demand and modelled future demand for each application, compiled and visualized historical and forecast data, contributed to the written rare earth elements market report, and liaised with industry professionals and Roskill analysts and managers.

During my postgraduate research in the Raw Materials Spoke at iCRAG and University College Dublin, I investigated the geochemistry and magmatic-hydrothermal transition in lithium pegmatites to improve rare-element pegmatite formation models and to assess their implications for geochemical exploration strategies. I have gained experience combining economic geology, geochemistry and data science, and working on multiple scales – from sub-mm to the regional scale.

I provided help and assistance to students during practical exercises, led groups of students in field classes, evaluated and graded student work, provided assistance to instructors and lecturers, and invigilated examinations.

Sample preparation for cosmogenic nuclide dating

Master's thesis: Mineralogical-petrological characterisation of the Chelyabinsk meteorite using Raman spectroscopy and electron beam micro analysis.

Research internship in the Archaeometry working group, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany. Topic: Mineralogical and geochemical characterisation of medieval smelter slags from the Harz Mountains and their implications for the historic smelting process. Analytical methods: Microscopy, SEM-EDX, XRF, LA-ICP-MS

Sample preparation for cosmogenic nuclide dating

Student research assistant in the Petrology working group, Institute of Mineralogy, Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany. Tasks: colorimetric determination of the oxidation state of iron in rocks and glasses from sample preparation to analysis; preparative laboratory work.

Internship in the Mineral Resources group at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Hannover, Germany. Tasks: Petrography of thin sections of the Merensky Reef; phase and grain size analysis as well as µXRF data processing using ENVI classic. Analytical methods: Microscopy, XRF, LIBS

Temporary work for R+T planning office, Darmstadt, Germany. Survey and evaluation of bicycle paths in Hannover, Germany

Exhibition guide for students from elementary to secondary school at IdeenExpo 2011, Hannover, Germany.

Student research assistant at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany. Tasks: preparative laboratory work.

Rare element enrichment processes in LCT pegmatites and implications for geochemical exploration

Mineralogy and Petrology