Zhaoshan Chang, professor of geology and geological engineering and Charles F. Fogarty Endowed Chair in economic geology at Colorado School of Mines, was awarded the 2026 SEG Silver Medal by the Society of Economic Geologists.
Established in 1980, the medal is awarded to recipients in mid-career for “excellence in original work in the geology of mineral deposits.” It is one of the highest awards given annually by SEG. Chang has been a member of SEG for more than a decade.
Chang’s research focuses on ore forming processes, vectors/zoning patterns, discriminators and indicators that can be directly used in exploration, distal signatures of mineralization and other related topics. His labs conduct short wavelength infra-red spectral analysis, LA-ICP-MS trace element analysis, dating and single fluid inclusion composition analysis.
A member of the Mines faculty since 2018, Chang holds a PhD in economic geology from Washington State University and a bachelor’s degree and a PhD in economic geology from Peking University, China. Prior to Mines, he was on faculty at James Cook University and University of Tasmania, both in Australia.
With more than 6,000 members in over 100 countries, SEG is a leading global nonprofit dedicated to advancing the understanding, development and stewardship of Earth’s resources through geoscience. Members from both academia and industry connect through SEG to focus on the minerals and metals essential to society.
About Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society – all to create a more prosperous future.
