Study information

Recovery - 2021 entry

MODULE TITLERecovery CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSMM179 MODULE CONVENERProf Kip Jeffrey (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 0 1
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 10
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module focuses on the operational aspect of mining covering the range of mining methods, the extraction cycle, types of mining equipment, transportation methods, mineral processing techniques, the sale of mineral products and the responsible treatment of mine waste. Topics include:

  • Mining methods - an overview of the main surface and underground mining methods
  • The mining cycle and transportation - how the mine extracts and moves material around the mining operation and the financial implications of efficient mine planning
  • Mineral processing - an overview of the main methods
  • Mine waste and waste management
  • Mineral products and net smelter return calculations

You must have completed Module CSMM177 & CSMM178 before starting this module and will also use the knowledge, concepts and terminology of the mining lifecycle introduced in these to help complete CSMM179.

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module focuses entirely on the operations aspect of mining; how the ore is recovered from the ore body and the selection of the most appropriate mining method, how the ore is transported within the mining operation, mineral processing and recovering the final product followed by the sale of mineral products.

This provides you with an overview of operational mining and enables them to link back to the geoscience, evaluation and economic data used, and decisions made, at the beginning of the mining life cycle and used to make the operating decisions during mine planning.

 

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 main mining and mineral processing methods, and circumstances under which each might be utilized.

2. summarize the production cycle and explain the optimization of production equipment and processes to maximize operational efficiency.

 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

3. evaluate technical and financial data to draw appropriate conclusions.

4. explain how mining and processing techniques relate to other aspects of the mining life cycle.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

5. produce high quality visual and oral presentations.

6. demonstrate technical report writing skills.

 

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

The material will be delivered over a period of 12 weeks using online lectures, PowerPoint, pdf’s, mp3 podcasts, videos, e-tivities, discussion boards and part of a residential course. The material will be arranged according to the mining life cycle view and emphasise the interconnections between each aspect by building on material from modules CSMM1771 & CSMM178.

You will examine the fundamental topics of mining and mineral processing methods, management of wastes and the sale of mineral products. Mining of deposits by surface and underground, as well as less conventional techniques will be described, followed by the mineral processing techniques that can be used to separate the mineral product from its host and waste materials. This will include the circumstances under which each might be best deployed. Mine waste represents one of the major challenges to the industry and safe disposal design and management will be addressed. 

These mining, transportation, processing and waste management activities are all deployed with the aim of creating a sustained supply of saleable products, and the module will conclude with a review of the ways in which these products are marketed and sold.

Unit 1: Surface mining operations (including dredging and marine mining)

Unit 2: Underground mining operations

Unit 3: Mineral processing

Unit 4: Mine waste management

Unit 5: Mineral Products

 

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, discussions, activities, presentations and assessments
Guided independent study 100 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 3 hours (several short e-tivities) 1-6 Written
Discussion boards Variable 1-6 Written (on discussion board)

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 75 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 25
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Individual Poster and presentation 25 A0 poster and 15 minutes 1-5 Verbal/Written
Report 50 3,000 words 1-4, 6 Verbal/Written
Site-report 25 5 pages 1-4, 6 Verbal/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
Individual Poster and presentation Individual Poster and presentation 1-5 4-6 weeks after residential 2
Report Report 1-4, 6 8-10 weeks after residential 2
Site-report Site-report 1-4, 6 8-10 weeks after residential 2

 

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 Waltham, T Foundations of Engineering Geology 3rd Taylor and Francis 2009 978-0415469609
Set Wills, B.A. and Napier-Munn, T.J. Wills' Mineral Processing Technology: An Introduction to the Practical Aspects of Ore Treatment and Mineral Recovery 7th Butterworth Heinman. 2006
Set Peter Darling Mining Engineering Handbook 3rd Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc Colorado 2011
Set Lottermoser BG Mine Wastes: Characterization, Treatment and Environmental Impacts 3rd edition. Springer, Heidelberg 2010
Set Wellmer Economic Evaluations in Exploration Springer 2008
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES CSMM177, CSMM178
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
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 Professional, mining methods, mining operations, mineral processing, mine waste, net smelter return

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