Course overview
This course provides a basic introduction to the fundamental operations involved in mining engineering. Topics to be covered include stages in the life of a mine, resources evaluation, mine planning and design, surface and underground mining methods, drilling and blasting, rock support systems, haulage and hoisting, mineral processing, mine ventilation, mine safety and environment, future mining.
Course learning outcomes
- Understand what the mining industry is about and why it exists (coal, metalliferous, industrial minerals and precious metals)
- Remember basic mining methods/terminology, underground and open pit mine layouts, stages in the life cycle of a mine and the elements of mine planning
- Evaluate current and future developments in mining industry as part of a project work
- Analyse the impact of mining on health, safety, society and the environment
- Understand methodologies for resource estimantion, classification of resources and researves, techniques for mineral processing and extractive metallurgy
- Apply basic theoreictial concepts and methods to solve basic problems on geomechanics, mine geotechnical engineering, resource estmation, mine ventilation, mine design and equipment selection