Mines are made not found. In order to assess if a mineral deposit is potentially viable to develop into a mine both the mineralisation and the host rocks in which it sits need to be fully characterised. This involves understanding the geological context of the deposit, and a range of methods to investigate the 3d geological setting. Specific investigations are then undertaken that allow the mineral resource to be evaluated in terms of its tonnage, grade and technical properties. In order to create an excavation, both surface and underground, it is important to understand the engineering characteristics of the material being excavated – both the mineralisation and surrounding host rocks. The module provides an insight into how resource evaluation is undertaken and how rock mass quality influences excavation method and excavation stability. The module provides fundamental understanding of rock mechanics and soil mechanics principles related to excavation and provides fundamental geotechnical knowledge that is a pre-requisite for subsequent design-related modules.

In order to develop a mine it is important to understand both the mineral resource and the engineering characteristics of the material being excavated. Building on the Mining Life Cycle (CSM1288DA) the module will provide explore to Earths geological resources.  You will examine key rock types (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) both in hand specimens and in the field, and how their constituent minerals and structures define a range of rock properties. You will learn about the identification and classification of the principal mineral and rock groups, including ore specimens, and how to interpret simple geological maps. The module will also cover geological investigation methods, and classical and geo-statistical estimation techniques that are used for quantifying mineral resources in the mining industry; covering the stages from mineral exploration to resource modelling and resource classification.

The module also provides an understanding of the mechanics of rock and soil behaviour and its influence on excavation behaviour, design and, importantly, stability. The module provides pre-requisite material for all subsequent geotechnical-related modules. It provides basic knowledge for assessment of material properties, evaluation of rock failure criteria and an awareness of their impact on design or use of materials. Field-based mapping exercises are used to emphasize and consolidate key aspects of geology and how rock mass quality will affect excavation stability and the use of potential stabilisation methods.

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

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

The module covers the geological context of a mineral deposit, what the deposits and surrounding rocks may be composed of, how this information can be gained, recorded and used; and its impact on a future mining proposition or operation. It then covers the key principles of geomechanics and how the properties of rocks can be measured and used to design excavation and assess stability of structures. These technical principles will underpin future modules on excavation design. The module involves field and laboratory exercises to provide practical experience in a number of these topics.

• Global geology and plate tectonics
• Rocks and minerals, and their identification
• Classification of rock types and their properties
• Economic mineralogy and mineral deposits
• Structural geology- planes and discontinuities
• Geological maps and sections
• Physical properties of rocks and soils
• Drilling, sampling and field geological data collection.
• Quality assurance and quality control of data
• Mineral resource estimation techniques – classical, variography and simple geostatistics
• Resource classifications and reporting codes
• Geomechanics: rock mass classification, laboratory and field test methods, strength and deformation of geological materials (including uniaxial, triaxial and tensile strength; point load index: Schmidt rebound hardness; rock failure criteria), rock mass strength, discontinuity shear strength, impact of groundwater flow.
• Introduction to factors influencing design of excavations including in-situ stress, stresses induced by excavation and structural controls on stability.
• Rock mass mapping and use of stereo nets for visualization of discontinuity orientation data.

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

Basic reading:

• Moon, C.J., Whateley, M.K.G., Evans, A.M. (eds) 2006 Introduction to Mineral Exploration Blackwell Science
• Robb, L. 2005 Introduction to Ore-forming Processes Blackwell
• Grotzinger 2006 Understanding Earth (5th  ed) W H Freeman & Co
• Marshak 2012 Earth: Portrait of a Planet (4th Revised Edition) W W Norton & Co
• Darling P (ed.)  2011 SME Mining Engineering Handbook: (3^rd Ed). Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration
• Kearey P. 2009 Global Tectonics (3^rd ed) Chapter 13.2, Economic Geology, Global Tectonics, Wiley-Blackwell

Reading list for this module: