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Study information

Underground Mining - 2019 entry

MODULE TITLEUnderground Mining CREDIT VALUE30
MODULE CODECSMM182 MODULE CONVENERUnknown
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12 12 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 10
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Underground Mining is the second of two core technical modules for the Professional PG Dip / MSc Mining Engineering Programme. The module examines the design, development, operation, optimization and eventual closure of underground mines. It will look at the way near surface deposits can be cost effectively extracted through construction of safe, efficient, underground mines, and the factors that control the optimum design.

The module will particularly explore ground control, ventilation, excavation design, development planning, production management, equipment selection, cost control, tunnelling, and computer-based underground mine design.

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

The module aims to advance your understanding of the basic underground mining principles taught in the Year One Mining Life-Cycle by providing you with the technical mining engineering knowledge used in designing and operating safe and efficient underground mine operations. Underground mining is one of the most technically demanding and safety critical methods of mineral extraction and involves state of the art techniques in rock mechanics, and excavation technology within a highly cost sensitive production environment.

Practical, hands-on activities using case histories and industry data will improve key skills such as field data collection, computer-assisted underground mine design, geotechnical appraisal, ventilation design, production and cost forecasting and safety management. The module emphasizes how the mechanical properties of host rocks and ore influence excavation design, blasting, and mineral processing.

You will undertake a comprehensive mine design report that will simulate the design and planning process including blast designs, equipment selection, among other parameters.

 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

 

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Develop a robust underground mine design incorporating ventilation, geotechnics, hydrogeology, production schedules and equipment selection and a closure plan.

2. Critically evaluate and explain the key components of a underground blast design.

3. Evaluate factors controlling instability and reinforcement design of excavation and recommend support measures.

4. Evaluate factors controlling operations management, equipment matching and production schedules.

 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

5. Integrate information from multiple data sources to design an effective mining operation.

6. Summarize the issues and technical requirements of ventilation and control of the mine atmosphere.

7. Explain how each aspect of underground mine design and operations must be optimized.

 

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

8. Apply personal data-handling skills through critical evaluation of a design problem and produce, to a strict deadline, detailed recommendations/reasoned arguments for an appropriate solution.
 

9. Utilise a full range of computer-based learning resources as an autonomous learner..

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The module will be delivered over a period of 24 weeks using online lectures, PowerPoint presentations, documents and reference material in pdf format, mp3 podcasts, videos, e-tivities, discussion boards; and through face to face teaching, fieldwork and group work as part of a residential course.

The module commences with a review of the key parameters of underground mining including development and access, shaft sinking, ventilation and the mine atmosphere. The module then moves onto mining methods, mobile equipment and maintenance. Key subject areas studied with the module include:

 

Units include:

Unit 1: Mining Methods and Underground Mine Design

Unit 2: Tunnelling and Underground Development

Unit 3: Mining Eqipument, Production and Costs

Unit 4: Mine Ventilation

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 100 Guided Independent Study 200 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities 100 Residentials, Group work, site visits, field trips, discussions, activities, presentations and assessments
Guided independent study 200 Using online resources with help and guidance from UoE staff. Includes e-tivities and discussion boards

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Online e-tivities 6 hours (several short e-tivities) 1-9 Written
Discussion boards Variable 1-9 Written (on discussion board)

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 40 Written Exams 40 Practical Exams 20
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Report 15 1,500 words 1, 3, 5, 8, 9 Written feedback sheet with comments
 Exam 40 1 hour 1-8 Written feedback sheet with comments
Report 25 3,000 words 1-9 Written feedback sheet with comments
Presentation 20 10 minutes 2, 6, 7, 8 Written feedback sheet with comments

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Report Report 1, 3, 5, 8, 9 Approximately 6-8 weeks after residential
Exam Exam 1-8 At next residential
Report Report 1-9 Approximately 6-8 weeks after return of initial assignment
Presentation Annotated powerpoint Presentation 2, 6, 7, 8 Approximately 3 weeks after residential

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

All referral marks are capped at 50%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

online lectures, PowerPoint presentations, documents and reference material in pdf format, mp3 podcasts, videos, e-tivities, discussion boards; and links to the University of Exeter electronic library and its comprehensive resources.

 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Module is largely delivered by a dedicated ELE website that also involves links to external corporate, professional, educational websites and YouTube.

http://www.rockeng.utoronto.ca/roc/Hoek/Hoek.htm - Hoek’s Corner

Brady (2004) Rock mechanics for underground mining

SME Mining Engineering Handbook

 

Other Resources:

The site will have additional literature resources from external professional bodies, technical guides and manuals and use of company annual reports.

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Atlas Powder Company Explosives and Rock Blasting    Field Technical Operations, Atlas Powder Company 1987
Set Gertsch R E and Bullock R L Techniques in Undergoud Mining 1998
Set Hustrulid & Bullock Underground Mining Methods 2001
CREDIT VALUE 30 ECTS VALUE 15
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES CSMM177, CSMM178, CSMM179, CSMM180, CSMM181
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 6th July 2017 LAST REVISION DATE Friday 5th October 2018
KEY WORDS SEARCH Mining professional, Underground Mining, Ventilation.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.