Study information

Minerals Engineering - 2021 entry

MODULE TITLEMinerals Engineering CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSM3040 MODULE CONVENERDr Robert Fitzpatrick (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 16
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module will cover the basic unit processes in mineral processing and hydrometallurgy. We will then bring these processes together to consider the treatment methods for a range of important metalliferous and industrial mineral deposits.

The module requires the completion of Mining and Minerals Engineering (in Year One), or an equivalent subject for those directly entering Year Two of the programme.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to give you an understanding of minerals engineering from the perspective of the mining engineer. Completing the module will allow you to undertake the Minerals Engineering part of the feasibility study.

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 Understand the unit processes involved in minerals engineering;

2 Produce metallurgical balances, calculate efficiencies and work with cost information;

3 Comprehend how a processing route for a range of minerals and metals is put together using the basic unit processes;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

4 Analyse performance data to judge process efficiency;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

5 Digest and review a range of information and to present a summary of findings in written form to a deadline.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
Mineral Processing:
- Importance of mineralogy, liberation and concentration;
- Economic efficiency and the use of smelter contracts;
- Comminution: crushing, types of crushing equipment and crushing circuits;
- Grinding equipment (rod, ball, SAG and fine grinding mills);
- Comminution energy and Bond's equation;
- Screening and screen equipment;
- Classification principles and equipment (spiral classifiers, bucket wheel desanders, hydrocyclones);
- Automated sorting and application of specific sensors;
- Dense medium separation, theory, medium selection, equipment and efficiency determination;
- Gravity concentration equipment (jigs, spirals, shaking tables, cones, Knelson, Falcon) and applications;
- Magnetic and high-tension separation: design and application of low and high intensity magnetic separators; separation of beach sands;
- Froth flotation: general principles, flotation reagents and examples of their use, flotation devices and circuit design;
Hydrometallurgy:
- Leaching methods (in-situ, heap, agitation, BIOX);
- Solvent extraction, ion exchange, selective precipitation, use of activated carbon(CIP and CIL);
- Electrowinning and electro-refining, using copper and aluminium as examples;
Minerals Engineering Case Studies:
- Selected mineral/metal case studies from copper, aggregates, kaolin, gold, beach sands, iron ore, lead-zinc and diamonds;
Laboratory Sessions (Virtual or ‘in-person’):
- Overview of lab-scale process equipment and linkage to full-scale processes;
- Grinding and flotation: evaluation of flotation tests on a sulphide feed.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 36 Guided Independent Study 114 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 30 Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 6 Tutorials
Guided Independent Study 114 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
Not Applicable      

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 35 Written Exams 65 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Examination 65 2 hours 1-5 Exam Mark
Report of processing test work (using historic results)
 35 2,000 words equivalent 1-2, 4-5 Written

 

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
Summative Assessment Additional Assessment 1-5 August Ref/Def Period
Examination Additional Examination 1-5 August Ref/Def Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

As above, one piece of Coursework (35%), and/or one Examination (65%).

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:

SME Mineral Processing Handbook (N.L. Weiss, editor), 1985. Vol. 1 and 2.

A range of recent journal publications will be provided to cover developments in Minerals Engineering.

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
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
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Wednesday 11th January 2017 LAST REVISION DATE Tuesday 18th May 2021
KEY WORDS SEARCH Mineral Processing; Hydrometallurgy; Minerals Engineering

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