Module Information | Study information

MODULE TITLE	Process Mineralogy and Geometallurgy	CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	CSMM434	MODULE CONVENER	Prof Hylke J Glass (Coordinator), Dr Robert Fitzpatrick

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS	0	11	0

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	10

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

The module gives graduates from a range of disciplines the opportunity to study the fundamentals of process mineralogy and geometallurgy. The module introduces you to the main analytical techniques used to analyse rock and minerals and how these can be integrated to support and enhance physical test work. It also gives you practical experience of testwork guided by mineralogy and will help you to devise analytical strategies to evaluate results during processing and in academic studies.

The module will also introduce the key concepts of geometallurgy which is an over-arching subject area encompassing process mineralogy and geo statistics.

The module contains a group project and is very helpful if you do analytical work done as part of the MSc research project.

If you take this module, you should have a basic understanding of physical chemistry and would benefit from a basic knowledge of mineralogy. Support and guidance in self-study to improve understanding in these areas can be provided. This module is suitable for non-specialist students and those on interdisciplinary pathways.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module is designed to give you practical experience and a theoretical understanding of process mineralogy by introducing you to the main analytical methods applied in minerals processing and how these can be best utilised to support and enhance physical test work. The module will give you an understanding of the principles of geometallurgy, its links to process mineralogy and its importance for reducing risk in minerals processing. Innovations in geometallurgy and process mineralogy will be discussed and critically analysed.

It also aims to enable choice of the most appropriate analytical methods and strategies for routine analysis and for research. Furthermore, it teaches you best practice in sampling design, data handling and quality control.

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 systematic understanding of the main geochemical analytical techniques, including most recent innovations, and their application to minerals processing;

2. Describe the principles of process mineralogy and how analytical techniques can be used to support and enhance physical test work.

3. Describe the principles of geometallurgy and explain its importance in reducing risk, summarise the latest innovations and trends in geometallurgy.

4. Explain the types of deposits which most benefit from a geometallurgical approach and describe how such an approach is developed into working practice.

5. Demonstrate knowledge of sampling, data handling and quality control techniques.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

6. Select and use appropriate computer based tools for analysis, design and communication of designs.

7. Select and use laboratory and field instrumentation appropriately and correctly.

8. Work safely in laboratory, workshop environments etc., and promote safe practice.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

9. Obtain and process information from a wide range of sources, which may be conflicting, analyse it critically and apply this information in engineering applications.

10. Communicate effectively and persuasively using the full range of currently available methods.

11. Learn independently, plan and manage self-study time and tasks; accessing additional resources to provide sufficient independent study in support of the syllabus.

12. Work in a team, which may be multi-disciplinary.

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

Process mineralogy topics

1. Consideration of the characteristics of mineral and rock samples and other materials relevant to minerals processing;

2. Analytical techniques including sampling and processing of results for:

Whole sample chemical techniques: EDS and WDS X-ray fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry;
Whole sample mineralogical techniques: X-ray diffraction plus very brief introduction to transmission electron microscopy, synchrotron techniques;
Spatially-resolved techniques: SEM, electron beam microanalysis;
Quantitative spatially-resolved techniques: QEMSCAN, MLA;
Other techniques: Raman spectroscopy, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy.

3. Practical project work integrating quantitative mineralogical analysis to inform processing, adopting a process mineralogical approach.

Geometallurgy topics

1. Introduction to geometallurgy: overview of the role of geometallurgy in the mineral extraction industry. Including the general principles and techniques associated with geometallurgy and the links to process mineralogy.

2. Geostatistical modelling: overview of geostatistical techniques used to model the spatial distribution of key processing properties in a geometallurgical framework.

3. Case studies: Examples of the application of geometallurgical modelling to mines and mineral deposits.

4. Discussion of the latest innovations and trends in geometallurgy, including critical interaction with relevant research menuscripts and conference proceedings.

Laboratory exercises

1. Students will undertake a process mineralogy investigation, including designing a test programme, interpreting analytical data and completing experiments.

Health and safety engagement

1. The health and safety implications related to comminution, physical separation will be covered. This will include discussion of safe use of devices which produce ionising radiation, the dangers of working with different mineral types, controlling and handling of chemicals, safety aspects of industrial processes and safe lab practices.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	35	Guided Independent Study	120	Placement / Study Abroad	0

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activity	20	Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activity	15	Laboratory practicals
Guided independent study	120	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

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	50	Written Exams	50	Practical Exams	0

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of Credit	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Coursework	25	4000 word equivalent	1-2, 5-11	Electronic or written
In class test	25	1 hour	1-5	Electronic or written
Examination	50	1.5 hours	1-4, 11	Personal tutor

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
Coursework	New assignment	1-2, 5-11	Ref/def period
In class test	New test	1-5	Second half of term 2
Examination	New examination	1-4, 11	Ref/def period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

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/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

http://app.knovel.com/

Online version of 'Chemistry of Gold Extraction':

https://app.knovel.com/hotlink/toc/id:kpCGEE000D/chemistry-gold-extraction/chemistry-gold-extraction

Online version of 'Mineral Processing Plant Design, Practice and Control Proceeding':

https://app.knovel.com/hotlink/pdf/id:kt008LYW71/mineral-processing-plant/guiding-process-introduction

Online version of 'SME Mining Engineering Handbook - Quality Monitoring in Chemical Analysis':

https://app.knovel.com/hotlink/pdf/id:kt008JZ252/sme-mining-engineering/quality-monitoring-in

Online version of 'Wills' Mineral Processing Technology':

https://app.knovel.com/hotlink/pdf/id:kt00URXX21/wills-mineral-processing/geometallurgy

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module:

Type	Author	Title	Edition	Publisher	Year
Set	Marsden, John O. & House, C. Iain	Chemistry of Gold Extraction	2nd	Ch. 2. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME)	2006
Set	Wills, Barry A. & Finch, James A.	Wills' Mineral Processing Technology - An Introduction to the Practical Aspects of Ore Treatment and Mineral Recovery	8th	Elsevier	2016
Set	Mular, Andrew L., Halbe, Doug N. & Barratt, Derek J.	Mineral Processing Plant Design, Practice, and Control Proceedings, Volumes 1-2 - Ch 17.		Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME).	2002
Set	Rollinson, Hugh R.	Using Geochemical Data: Evaluation, Presentation, Interpretation		Longman Geochemistry Series	1993
Set	Darling, Peter	SME Mining Engineering Handbook (4.4.1 - Quality Monitoring in Chemical Analysis)	3rd	Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME).	2011
Set	Gill, Robin	Modern Analytical Geochemistry		Pearson Education	1997
Set	Jones, Meurig P.	Applied Mineralogy: A quantitative approach		Graham & Trotman	1987

CREDIT VALUE	15	ECTS VALUE	7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	7	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Thursday 18th October 2018	LAST REVISION DATE	Monday 8th April 2019

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Process mineralogy, geo-metallurgy, analytical techniques, QEMSCAN, chemistry, minerals, spatially resolved techniques, ore variability

Process Mineralogy and Geometallurgy - 2019 entry