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Study information

Mining and Minerals Engineering - 2019 entry

MODULE TITLEMining and Minerals Engineering CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSM1029 MODULE CONVENERDr Andrew Wetherelt (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 22
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module introduces you to the topic of Mining and Minerals Engineering. Towards the end of the term, you will have the opportunity to deliver a five minute presentation to an audience of peers about a specific mining or minerals topic, which has been chosen from a pre-defined list of topics.

No prior knowledge of the subject is required. This module is unsuitable for non-specialist students and is not recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module will give you an overview of the minerals industry, starting with an historical perspective and leading up to the current day implications of financial, political and environmental constraints. It will also introduce you to mining and minerals engineering, giving you a broad outline of the unit processes involved in the two disciplines. Furthermore, you will learn about the environmental aspects of the minerals industry and sustainability.

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 demonstrate a general understanding of the mining and minerals industry;

2 visualise the underground environment;

3 understand mineral reserves and resources;

4 recognise the fundamental aspects of mineral processing techniques;

5 comprehend the influence of explosives and their usage;

6 appreciate the environmental impact of mining and have an awareness of the sustainability of natural resources;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

7 evaluate and apply knowledge of a range of different concepts relating to mining engineering related material;

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

8 work effectively with others as a member of a group and meet obligations to others;

9 identify strengths and weaknesses in personal study skills and make a plan to address weaknesses using the learning resources available (ELE, ASK and personal tutor);

10 verbally communicate a researched topic using a Powerpoint presentation.

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

- Introduction: brief introduction to the history of mining and impact on civilisation;

- Earth resources, metallic and non-metallic minerals and fossil fuels, their occurrence, location, distribution and usage;

- Implications of financial/political constraints;

- Environmental impact of the extractive industries, concepts of sustainability, biodiversity, remediation and reclamation;

- Mining methods: the role of the mining engineer;

- Definitions of basic mining terms;

- Review of types of ore deposit and exploration techniques;

- The mining process-breaking ground, shaft sinking and tunnelling, stoping support, haulage and hoisting;

- Mineral processing and hydrometallurgy;

- The role of the minerals engineer within the mineral industry;

- Importance of mineralogy and liberation;

- Ore preparation methods, crushing & grinding, screening and classification;

- Physical separation methods, including automated sorting, dense medium separation, gravity separation, magnetic separation, electrostatic separation and froth flotation;

- Hydrometallurgy for the recovery of metals, leaching methods, bacteria assisted leaching, fundamentals of electrolysis applied to metal recovery case studies on kaolin, diamonds, gold and copper;

- Introduction to explosives, properties of explosives, types of detonation, safety issues relating to blasting within the minerals industry.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 39 Guided Independent Study 111 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 36 Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 3 Visits to quarry sites
Guided Independent Study 111 Lecture and assessment preparation; private study

 

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
Personal Development Plan
 
9 Written/verbal
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 30 Written Exams 70 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Types of Explosives 15 750 words 5, 7, 8 Written Feedback
Individual Presentation 15 5 minutes 10 Written Feedback
Examination 70 2 hours 1-6 Tutor Meeting?
         
         

 

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-reassessment
Above Assignments Assignment All Completed over the summer with a deadline in August
Examination Examination All August Ref/Def period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

As above, one piece of Coursework (30%) and/or one Exam (70%).

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:

Hartman, Howard L., 1992, SME Mining Engineers Handbook, SMME Inc., Colorado

Wills, B.A. and Napier-Munn, T.J., 2006, Mineral Processing Technology (6th edition), Butterworth-Heinemann

Web based and electronic resources:

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Powerpoint presentations available on ELE.

Other resources:

The Academic Support Unit have information on development of personal skills.

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Hartman, Howard L. SME Mining Engineering Handbook 3rd SMME Inc., Colorado 1992 978-0873352642
Set Wills, B.A. and Napier-Munn, T.J. Wills’ Mineral Processing Technology 7th edition Butterworth-Heinemann 2006 978-0750644501
Set Wills, B.A. and Napier-Munn, T.J. Mineral Processing Technology Dawson (electronic book) Butterworth-Heinemann 2006 978-0080479477
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 4 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 6th July 2017 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 18th July 2019
KEY WORDS SEARCH Mining; Blasting; Explosives; Minerals Engineering

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