Resource Estimation and Mine Planning

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
ENGP X412
Course ID icon
Course ID
206842
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East, Mawson Lakes
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Chemical Engineering
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Chaoshui Xu
Course level icon
Course level
4
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

Resource estimation lays the foundation for subsequent mine planning process. Proper mine design and mine planning are critical to ensuring the successful exploitation of the identified mineral resources. This course covers the fundamental concepts in resource estimation and mine planning process including JORC code, geostatistics, open pit and underground strategic mine planning and financial evaluations of mining projects. This course is the pre-requisite to the capstone course of the program: Mine Design and Feasibility Study.

Course learning outcomes

  • Create resource models from exploration datasets using appropriate software tools and estimation techniques
  • Report resources and reserves using the JORC code
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the mine planning process
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the time value of money, commodity markets and their impact on mine planning
  • Develop open pit optimal strategic mine plans including pushback selection, ultimate pit limit analysis and production scheduling
  • Apply algorithms and computer software to compliment the strategic mine optimisation process
  • Create realistic, integrated financial models for the evaluation of mining projects
  • Understand the basic applications of linear programming for mine optimisations

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 57836
Section
Section FR01
Size
Size 40
Available
Available 40
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 2:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C4-17
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 2:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C4-17
Class number
Class number 59963
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 200
Available
Available 200
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Adelaide City Campus East ,
Class number
Class number 57837
Section
Section PR01
Size
Size 40
Available
Available 40
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 2:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 108
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 2:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 108
Class number
Class number 57838
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 40
Available
Available 40
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 4:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ2-32
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 4:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ2-32

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.