Study information

Discovery - 2021 entry

MODULE TITLEDiscovery CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSMM177 MODULE CONVENERProf Kip Jeffrey (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 12 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 10
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

The module introduces the overall Mining Life Cycle and the sequence of activities involved in the mining business, including: mineral deposit types, mineral exploration, deposit evaluation, mining operations and mineral processing, waste management, closure and remediation, corporate social responsibility (CSR), social license to operate and environmental management.

The module will then focus on:                      

  • The mining business landscape
  • An overview of geology, rock properties and processes of mineral deposit formation
  • Forces driving the demand for minerals and exploration activity
  • Exploration programmes and techniques
  • Mineral economics; including discounted cashflows and risk analysis

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

The module aims to introduce the mining life cycle and allow you to gain a broad understanding of the international mining business. This will form the foundation for more detailed study of each aspect during the following units and in Modules CSMM178, CSMM179 and CSMM180.

The main focus of the module is then an understanding of mineral deposits and the reasons why companies explore for and mine them. It will give you an insight into the international mining business, describe the financial principles that control the exploration and mining process, and look at how mineral exploration is undertaken. The module will finish by demonstrating the need for a robust technical and financial evaluation of a mineral deposit before any decision to mine can be made and this process will form the basis of CSMM178.

 

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. explain the stages and activities that comprise the mining life cycle; and outline the main features of the mining business.
2. summarize the economic factors driving mineral exploration, how exploration programmes are planned and some of the exploration techniques used.
3. outline geological processes that form ore deposits.

 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

4. demonstrate a basic understanding of geology and mineral forming processes, to a level where the student is able to use geological concepts and terminology in both report writing and in reading and interpreting a geological report.
5. explain the factors driving mineral exploration and the fundamentals such as economics, geology, etc.
6. present an overall understanding of the mining business.

 

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

7. select and utilize a full range of online learning resources which includes academic papers, book chapters, discussion boards and online individual and group activities.
8. demonstrate team work in groups of various skills and experience levels, present ideas clearly and concisely, debate ideas and evaluate how one part of a value chain affects the up and down stream activities.
9. demonstrate commercial awareness and use financial principles.

 

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

The module will be delivered over a period of 12 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 first unit will describe the mining life cycle introducing geology and mineral deposits, mineral exploration, mineral extraction and processing, waste management, mine closure and CSR; and will emphasise the interconnections between each aspect. This will act as an introduction for the following units and modules where each element of the life cycle will be covered in greater depth.

Units 2- 5 will develop the topics of geology and mineral deposits formation, mineral exploration, mineral economics and the landscape of the mining business.

Unit 1: Introduction to the Mining Pipeline
Unit 2: Introduction to geology, rock properties
Unit 3: Mineral exploration
Unit 4: The Mining Business
Unit 5: Mineral economics

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 50 Guided Independent Study 100 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities 50 Residentials, group work, site visits, field trips, laboratory exercises, discussions, skills development activities, presentations and assessments.
Guided independent study 100 Using online resources with help and guidance from UoE staff. Includes e-tivities, wiki’s 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 3 hours (several short e-tivities) 1-9 Written
Discussion boards Variable 1-9 Written (on discussion board)
Group presentation 15 minutes 1-9 Verbal

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 50 Written Exams 30 Practical Exams 20
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Short Answer Examination 30 45 minutes 1-7, 9 Written/Verbal
Report/Project 50 15 pages 1-9 Written/Verbal
Individual Presentation 20 10 minutes 1-7, 9 Written/Verbal
         
         

 

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
Short Answer Examination Short Answer Examination 1-7, 9 2nd residential
Report/project Report/project 1-9 One month after 2nd residential
Presentation Presentation (Powerpoint and Skype) 1-7, 9 Approximately 4 – 6 weeks after residential one

 

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/

A list of web resources and academic papers are available through ELE. In addition, the course site contains comprehensive online resources including 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.   

 

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 Moon, C.J., Whateley, M.K.G., Evans, A.M. (eds) Introduction to Mineral Exploration Electronic Blackwell Science 2006
Set Robb, L. Introduction to Ore-forming Processes Blackwell 2005
Set Wellmer Economic Evaluations in Exploration Springer 2008
Set Grotzinger Understanding Earch 5th W H Freeman & Co 2006
Set Marshak Earth: Portrait of a Planet 4th Revised Edition W W Norton & Co 2012
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 6th July 2017 LAST REVISION DATE Monday 5th October 2020
KEY WORDS SEARCH Mining lifecycle, exploration, mining business, mining professional, mineral economics

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