Mining Engineering Principles: Exploration to Innovation Course

Lesson 1 • Mining Industry Structure and Stakeholders

Maps the roles of operators, contractors, regulators, and communities. Clarifies how decisions flow across the industry ecosystem.

Lesson 2 • Core Engineering Disciplines in Mining

Introduces geology, geotechnical, mechanical, and environmental engineering roles. Shows how disciplines integrate throughout a mine's life cycle.

Lesson 3 • Mine Life Cycle Overview

Outlines exploration, development, production, and closure phases. Establishes the framework used throughout the entire course.

Lesson 4 • Mineral Types and Economic Significance

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

Lesson 1 • Economic Cutoff Grade Analysis

Calculates breakeven cutoff grades using cost and price inputs. Connects resource estimation directly to economic viability decisions.

Lesson 2 • Geological Mapping and Remote Sensing

Covers surface mapping techniques and satellite-based data acquisition. Builds the spatial awareness needed for targeted exploration programs.

Lesson 3 • Drilling Programs and Core Analysis

Explains rotary, diamond, and reverse-circulation drilling methods. Links drill program design to reliable subsurface data collection.

Lesson 4 • Resource Classification Frameworks

Applies internationally recognized confidence categories to mineral inventories. Enables students to assign inferred, indicated, and measured classifications.

Lesson 1 • Production Scheduling and Sequencing

Applies scheduling logic to maximize net present value while meeting operational targets. Links schedule outputs to capital and operating cost profiles.

Lesson 2 • Capital and Operating Cost Estimation

Structures cost estimates using factored, parametric, and bottom-up methods. Provides the financial inputs required for feasibility decision-making.

Lesson 3 • Scoping and Prefeasibility Studies

Defines the purpose and accuracy requirements of early-stage studies. Establishes decision gates that govern project advancement.

Lesson 4 • Mine Design Criteria and Constraints

Identifies geotechnical, environmental, and infrastructure constraints shaping design. Translates constraints into actionable design parameters.

Lesson 1 • Surface Mine Water Management

Designs dewatering, diversion, and runoff control systems for surface operations. Prevents water-related disruptions and environmental non-compliance.

Lesson 2 • Loading and Hauling Systems

Evaluates shovel-truck, conveyor, and in-pit crushing systems for material movement. Matches equipment selection to production rate and cost targets.

Lesson 3 • Open-Pit Design Fundamentals

Applies slope stability and pit optimization principles to open-pit geometry. Connects design choices to ore recovery and waste management outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Drilling and Blasting in Surface Mines

Covers blast design, explosive selection, and fragmentation prediction for surface operations. Ensures safe and productive rock breakage practices.

Lesson 1 • Caving Methods and Mass Mining

Explains block caving, sublevel caving, and longwall mechanics for high-tonnage extraction. Addresses subsidence prediction and drawpoint management.

Lesson 2 • Supported and Unsupported Mining Methods

Compares room-and-pillar, cut-and-fill, and open stoping for varying ground conditions. Guides method selection based on ore geometry and rock mass quality.

Lesson 3 • Underground Access and Development

Covers shaft, decline, and adit development for underground access. Establishes the infrastructure foundation for all underground production methods.

Lesson 4 • Underground Rock Support Systems

Selects and designs bolting, shotcrete, and steel arch support for excavation stability. Integrates ground support with geotechnical monitoring programs.

Lesson 1 • Flotation Principles and Circuit Design

Explains reagent chemistry, cell hydrodynamics, and circuit configuration for flotation. Optimizes recovery and grade through reagent and circuit adjustments.

Lesson 2 • Physical Separation Techniques

Applies gravity, magnetic, and electrostatic separation to concentrate valuable minerals. Matches separation method to ore mineralogy and liberation characteristics.

Lesson 3 • Comminution: Crushing and Grinding

Covers jaw, cone, and SAG mill circuits for size reduction of run-of-mine ore. Connects energy consumption to liberation size and downstream recovery.

Lesson 4 • Hydrometallurgical Processing

Covers leaching, solvent extraction, and electrowinning for metal recovery from solution. Addresses reagent management and solution purification steps.

Lesson 1 • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Applies HAZID, FMEA, and bow-tie methods to mining hazard scenarios. Builds the analytical foundation for all risk control decisions.

Lesson 2 • Occupational Health and Dust Management

Controls silica, coal dust, and diesel particulate exposures to protect worker health. Links exposure monitoring to engineering and administrative controls.

Lesson 3 • Ground Control and Geotechnical Safety

Manages rockfall, slope failure, and seismic hazards through monitoring and engineering controls. Directly reduces the leading cause of mining fatalities.

Lesson 4 • Emergency Response and Mine Rescue

Designs emergency response plans for fire, inundation, and entrapment scenarios. Prepares teams to execute coordinated rescue operations effectively.

Lesson 1 • Environmental Impact Assessment

Structures baseline studies, impact prediction, and mitigation planning for mining projects. Provides the regulatory foundation for project approval.

Lesson 2 • Waste Rock and Tailings Facility Management

Designs stable waste rock dumps and tailings storage facilities with long-term integrity. Addresses geotechnical and geochemical risks throughout the facility life.

Lesson 3 • Mine Closure Planning and Financial Assurance

Develops closure cost estimates and financial assurance instruments for regulatory compliance. Ensures adequate funding for all post-closure obligations.

Lesson 4 • Acid Mine Drainage Prevention and Treatment

Identifies sulfide oxidation pathways and applies passive and active treatment systems. Prevents the most persistent environmental liability in mining.