Mining Engineering Course

Lesson 1 • Mineral Resources and Commodity Types

Classifies metallic, non-metallic, and energy minerals by formation and economic use. Connects resource type to extraction method selection.

Lesson 2 • Mine Types and Extraction Concepts

Distinguishes surface, underground, and in-situ mining configurations. Introduces selection criteria linking deposit geometry to mine type.

Lesson 3 • History and Evolution of Mining

Traces mining from ancient extraction to modern mechanised operations. Provides context for understanding why current practices and regulations developed as they did.

Lesson 4 • The Mining Engineering Profession

Defines the engineer's responsibilities across planning, operations, and closure phases. Situates the role within multidisciplinary project teams.

Lesson 1 • Resource and Reserve Classification

Applies internationally recognised frameworks to classify measured, indicated, and inferred resources. Distinguishes resources from mineable reserves using modifying factors.

Lesson 2 • Exploration Techniques and Data Collection

Covers geophysical, geochemical, and drilling methods used to delineate ore bodies. Emphasises data quality control critical for resource estimation.

Lesson 3 • Geostatistics and Grade Estimation

Introduces variogram analysis and kriging for spatial grade interpolation. Demonstrates how estimation uncertainty affects mine planning decisions.

Lesson 4 • Rock Types and Geological Structures

Reviews igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock properties relevant to mining. Links structural features such as faults and folds to ore localisation.

Lesson 1 • Slope Stability Analysis

Analyses planar, wedge, and circular failure modes in open-pit and waste dump slopes. Quantifies factor of safety and identifies mitigation measures.

Lesson 2 • Rock Mass Classification Systems

Applies RMR, Q-system, and GSI to characterise rock mass quality. Links classification outputs to support design recommendations.

Lesson 3 • Rock Strength and Failure Criteria

Presents laboratory testing methods and failure criteria for intact rock and discontinuities. Provides strength parameters required for stability analysis.

Lesson 4 • Underground Ground Support Design

Selects rock bolts, shotcrete, and steel sets based on rock mass conditions. Integrates support design with excavation sequencing for safe underground operations.

Lesson 1 • Production Scheduling and Pushback Design

Sequences pushbacks to meet grade, tonnage, and cash flow targets over mine life. Integrates scheduling with equipment availability and ore blending requirements.

Lesson 2 • Drilling and Blasting in Surface Mines

Designs blast patterns, explosive selection, and initiation sequences for bench blasting. Addresses fragmentation prediction and blast damage control.

Lesson 3 • Open-Pit Geometry and Pit Limits

Defines bench height, berm width, overall slope angle, and ultimate pit boundary. Applies economic pit limit algorithms to maximise net present value.

Lesson 4 • Loading and Hauling Systems

Matches excavator and truck capacities to production targets and haul profiles. Evaluates cycle time, fleet size, and haul road design standards.

Lesson 1 • Underground Mine Development

Plans shaft, decline, and level development to access ore zones. Covers excavation sequencing, ventilation requirements, and infrastructure placement.

Lesson 2 • Caving Methods and Mass Mining

Covers block caving, sublevel caving, and panel caving for large, low-grade deposits. Evaluates caveability, draw control, and subsidence management.

Lesson 3 • Cut-and-Fill and Shrinkage Stoping

Applies cut-and-fill to narrow, high-grade, or weak-rock deposits requiring tight grade control. Compares hydraulic, paste, and rock fill options.

Lesson 4 • Room-and-Pillar and Stope Mining

Designs pillar dimensions and extraction ratios for room-and-pillar operations. Extends to rib pillar and open stope configurations in stronger rock.

Lesson 1 • Heat Stress and Thermal Control

Quantifies heat sources from autocompression, machinery, and rock to predict wet-bulb temperatures. Designs refrigeration and cooling systems for deep mines.

Lesson 2 • Fundamentals of Mine Airflow

Applies fluid mechanics principles to airflow through mine networks. Establishes pressure-quantity relationships used in ventilation circuit design.

Lesson 3 • Ventilation Network Design

Balances airflow distribution across parallel and series circuits using network analysis. Designs main, booster, and auxiliary fan installations.

Lesson 4 • Mine Gases and Explosion Prevention

Characterizes methane, carbon monoxide, and diesel exhaust hazards in underground workings. Applies detection, dilution, and isolation controls to prevent ignition.

Lesson 1 • Comminution: Crushing and Grinding

Applies size reduction theory to crusher and mill selection and circuit design. Links energy consumption to target product size and ore hardness.

Lesson 2 • Hydrometallurgy and Leaching

Covers heap leaching, agitation leaching, and solvent extraction for gold, copper, and uranium. Evaluates reagent consumption, recovery, and environmental controls.

Lesson 3 • Gravity and Dense-Medium Separation

Exploits density differences to pre-concentrate or recover heavy minerals. Evaluates jigs, spirals, shaking tables, and dense-medium cyclones.

Lesson 4 • Froth Flotation Principles and Design

Applies surface chemistry to selectively float sulfide, oxide, and industrial minerals. Designs reagent schemes, cell sizing, and circuit configuration.

Lesson 1 • Mine Closure and Land Rehabilitation

Plans progressive and final closure activities to meet regulatory and community commitments. Designs landform, revegetation, and water management for long-term stability.

Lesson 2 • Risk Assessment and Management

Identifies technical, market, and geopolitical risks using structured risk registers. Applies quantitative risk analysis to inform contingency and mitigation planning.

Lesson 3 • Mine Economic Evaluation

Applies discounted cash flow, NPV, IRR, and payback period to rank project alternatives. Conducts sensitivity and scenario analysis on key value drivers.

Lesson 4 • Feasibility Study Development

Structures scoping, pre-feasibility, and feasibility study components and accuracy levels. Defines capital and operating cost estimation methodologies for each study stage.