CSM1288DA - Mining Life Cycle and Professional Practice (2023)

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MODULE TITLEMining Life Cycle and Professional Practice CREDIT VALUE30
MODULE CODECSM1288DA MODULE CONVENERUnknown
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module is the introductory overview to the programme. It covers the wide range of activities that need to be undertaken to find a mineral deposit, evaluate it, extract the ore and process it to a saleable product – as well as the impact that this may have on the environment and communities in which they operate. The concepts covered will be developed in more detail in subsequent modules but this covers a range of underpinning concepts that will help contextualise these later modules. This will also allow you to evaluate your own role and mining operations, and how your contribution fits in to the other activities that will be taking place in other departments and by other specialists and colleagues. 

AIMS - intentions of the module

The module introduces the overall Mining Life Cycle and gives an introductory overview into the sequence of activities involved in mining. This includes: mineral deposit types, mineral exploration, deposit evaluation, mining operations and mineral processing, waste management, closure and remediation, corporate social responsibility and environmental & social governance. This module will also embed key skills such as group work, effective communication and professionalism as well as an appreciation of reputational risk and expectations of workplace and professional behaviours.

On successful completion of this module you should be familiar with these Knowledge and Skills as specified in the Mine Management Apprenticeship Standard (ST1309):

K1 The Mining life cycle including the key regulations, standards and guidance that influence the design, construction and operations and closure of mining operations

K2 Physical geology on the mine environment, including the physical properties of the rock, soil, and mineral deposits and impact of weathering, plate tectonics and geomorphic features.

K3 The impact of structural geology, including features such as dip, faulting, rock strength and the principles of elasticity

K4 Design principles of mines and layout including geology and geomechanics, layout, size, and position of mine entries and roadways, and the systems and equipment used for extraction and mine support.

K10 Mineral preparation, processing, and waste management techniques including the use of separation techniques, methods of concentration and further refining, the handling and transport of bulk solids and the safe, sustainable disposal of mineral wastes and tailings.

K11: How to design the operation to extract the reserves in a legislatively compliant, economic, ecological and socially acceptable manner.

K16 The different stages of projects including the principles of planning, scheduling, and sequencing to ensure effective life of mine plans. The ways of managing, influencing and controlling outcomes, through the application of project management techniques.

K19The principles of mine closure and legacy risk management.

K20 The impact of a mining operation through its life cycle using the principles of asset integrity, environmental and social impact assessment methodologies and the application of current industry best practice to support an environmentally robust and sustainable operation.

K21 Financial and economic strategies, including budgets, financial management and accounting. The influence of commodity prices, feasibility studies, financial reports incorporating cash flow, capital and profit and loss.

K28 How to develop and implement operational strategy and plans including approaches to identify and classify mineral reserves.

S1 Specify the system for supporting the excavation, using information such as the characteristics of the geology, rock formations, data from modelling and measurements taken.

S12 Review quality control standards and ensure that these are effectively and consistently applied and where necessary take corrective action.

S19: Use evidence-based tools, qualitive and quantitative analysis techniques to demonstrate an ethical approach to problem solving and making decisions that improve the safety, operational and environmental performance of the underground operation.

S20: Specify the machinery and equipment to support the overall safety and production.

 

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
4. Understanding resource classification, estimation and the importance of QA/QC in data collection and interpretation
5. Summarize the production cycle and explain the main mining and mineral processing methods.
6. Articulate the principles of mine closure, environmental and socio-environmental impacts of mining

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

7. Demonstrate a basic understanding of geology and mineral forming processes
8. Explain the factors driving mineral exploration and the fundamentals such as economics, finance operational activity and geology.
9. Present an overall understanding of the mining business. 
10. Evaluate technical and financial data to draw appropriate conclusions.
11. Explain how mining and processing techniques relate to other aspects of the mining life cycle.
12. Summarize social and environmental issues associated with mining
 

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

13. Select and utilize a full range of online learning resources which includes academic papers, book chapters, discussion boards in support of the syllabus
14. Demonstrate collaboration between colleagues of various skills and evaluate how one part of a value chain affects the up and downstream activities.
15. Demonstrate commercial awareness and use financial principles.
16. Use Excel and visualization software to interrogate data.
17. Sort, manipulate and present financial & technical data in a way that facilitates effective analysis and decision making.
18. Produce high quality visual and oral presentations
19. Plan and manage self-study time and tasks
20. Understand professional and behavioural issues relating to the workplace and industry with consideration of relevant ethical and legal topics.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The module delivers an overview and introduction to the many aspects that contribute to the development, operation and eventual closure of a mining operation. Many of these topics will be covered in more detail in specific modules throughout the course.

The module starts with an introduction to the Mining value chain and mining life cycle with examples from different operations and commodities. The module then introduces these key mining activities and the underpinning knowledge of the geosciences, mineral resources and their extraction.

  • Essential geological concepts will be covered including an introduction to rock types, minerals, structures and processes. This will then be developed into an initial discussion of how mineral deposits form, their mineralogy, geological setting, structural controls, characteristics and classification.
  • This will include initial ideas on the difference between rocks and the rock mass that controls mining excavations and support.
  • The process of mineral exploration including factors affecting exploration investment, stages of exploration, a range of techniques that can be used and examples of exploration programmes.
  • Characteristics of the mining business and basic financial principles including NPV and DCF
  • Basic introduction to the methods of geological interpretation, resource estimation, classification of resources and reserves, and reporting codes.
  • Introduction to the range of surface and underground mining methods including excavation techniques, drill and blast, loading & haulage, support and the underground mining cycle.
  • Principles of mineral processing including role of ore characteristics, crushing & grinding, separation techniques, concentration and products.
  • Waste production, storage and disposal including waste rock piles and tailings dams
  • Social, economic and environmental impacts of exploration activities and mining operations and introduction to the concepts of social licence to operate.
  • Ethical and reputational issues in mining including professionalism and workplace behaviour.
  • Mine closure and remediation – including aftercare.

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 60.00 Guided Independent Study 44.00 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning Activity 36 Online Lectures & Webinars
Scheduled Learning Activity 12 Residential 
Scheduled Learning Activity 12 Site based Group Activity
Guided Independent Study 44 Use of online learning materials.  Completion of assessments required to monitor progress.  Consultation with academic staff.

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
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
Exam 50 1.5 hours All Verbal
Poster & Presentation 50 AO poster / 15 min 1, 5, 11, 13, 18, 19 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
Exsm Resubmission All Programme schedule dependent
Poster & Presentation Resubmission 1, 5, 11, 13, 18, 19 Programme schedule dependent
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

All passed components of the module will be rolled forward and will not be reassessed in the event of module failure

 

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:

  • Moon, C.J., Whateley, M.K.G., Evans, A.M. (eds) Introduction to Mineral Exploration Electronic Blackwell Science 2006
  • Robb, L. Introduction to Ore-forming Processes Blackwell 2005
  • Wellmer Economic Evaluations in Exploration Springer 2008
  • Grotzinger Understanding Earch 5th W H Freeman & Co 2006
  • Marshak Earth: Portrait of a Planet 4th Revised Edition W W Norton & Co 2012

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 30 ECTS VALUE 15
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 4 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Friday 19 August 2022 LAST REVISION DATE Tuesday 12 December 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Mining Engineering, Life Cycle, Geology