Mining Engineer Course

Lesson 1 • Types of Mining Operations

Distinguishes surface, underground, and placer mining methods by geology and economics. Provides the classification framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Mining Engineering Roles and Ethics

Defines the engineer's technical, managerial, and ethical responsibilities. Establishes professional standards and codes of conduct that govern practice.

Lesson 3 • Geology Essentials for Mining Engineers

Covers rock types, structural geology, and ore deposit classification relevant to mine planning. Builds geological literacy needed for resource estimation and method selection.

Lesson 1 • Geostatistics and Variography

Introduces spatial continuity analysis through variogram modelling. Variogram parameters directly control interpolation accuracy in block models.

Lesson 2 • Sampling Theory and Practice

Explains sampling errors, protocols, and quality assurance for reliable data collection. Accurate sampling underpins all subsequent resource estimation work.

Lesson 3 • Exploratory Data Analysis

Applies statistical tools to assay datasets to identify grade distributions and outliers. Results guide compositing and domain definition decisions.

Lesson 4 • Block Modelling and Grade Interpolation

Constructs 3-D block models and applies kriging and inverse-distance methods. Students evaluate estimation quality using validation statistics.

Lesson 1 • Economic Cut-Off Grade Analysis

Derives cut-off grades using cost, price, and recovery parameters to define ore and waste. Cut-off grade selection directly shapes mine design boundaries.

Lesson 2 • Open-Pit Design Principles

Applies pit optimisation algorithms and slope stability constraints to generate final pit limits. Students design pushbacks and haul-road alignments within the optimised shell.

Lesson 3 • Underground Mine Layout Design

Designs access development, level spacing, and stope layouts for underground operations. Connects orebody geometry to infrastructure placement and ore flow.

Lesson 4 • Mine Design Software Applications

Demonstrates industry-standard software workflows for pit design, underground layout, and scheduling. Builds practical digital competency applied throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Slope Stability Analysis

Evaluates planar, wedge, and circular failure modes in open-pit and waste-dump slopes. Stability analysis results set safe inter-ramp and overall slope angles.

Lesson 2 • Underground Support Design

Selects and dimensions rock bolts, shotcrete, and steel sets for underground excavations. Support design is validated against rock mass classification and loading conditions.

Lesson 3 • Seismic Hazard and Rockburst Management

Identifies seismic risk in deep mines and applies mitigation strategies to protect workers. Integrates monitoring data with operational controls to reduce rockburst exposure.

Lesson 4 • Rock Mass Characterisation

Quantifies rock mass quality using index tests and classification systems. Classification outputs feed directly into support design and excavation stability assessments.

Lesson 1 • Underground Blast Design

Applies cut-and-fill, ring, and development blast designs to confined underground headings. Confinement and free-face geometry require specialised design approaches.

Lesson 2 • Blast Performance and Environmental Controls

Measures fragmentation, vibration, airblast, and flyrock to evaluate and improve blast outcomes. Environmental controls ensure compliance with community and regulatory limits.

Lesson 3 • Drilling Equipment and Operations

Covers rotary, percussive, and DTH drilling systems used in surface and underground mines. Equipment selection and operational parameters affect hole quality and blast performance.

Lesson 4 • Explosives Properties and Selection

Explains explosive chemistry, detonation physics, and product classification for mining use. Correct explosive selection matches energy output to rock mass and fragmentation goals.

Lesson 1 • Ventilation Fundamentals

Introduces airflow physics, pressure-quantity relationships, and mine network behaviour. These principles underpin all ventilation system design and analysis tasks.

Lesson 2 • Mine Climate and Heat Management

Analyses heat sources and applies cooling strategies to maintain safe working temperatures. Thermal management is critical in deep and hot mines.

Lesson 3 • Ventilation Planning Software

Uses network simulation software to model airflow, pressure, and contaminant distribution. Simulation results validate designs before physical implementation.

Lesson 4 • Contaminant Control Underground

Quantifies diesel particulate, blast fumes, and dust to set dilution airflow requirements. Contaminant control protects worker health and meets occupational exposure limits.

Lesson 1 • Water Management and Discharge

Manages mine water quality, storage, and discharge to meet environmental standards. Integrates water balance modelling with treatment and reuse strategies.

Lesson 2 • Dewatering System Design

Designs sump, pump, and drainage networks to manage predicted inflows in surface and underground mines. System reliability and redundancy are critical design criteria.

Lesson 3 • Hydrogeological Site Assessment

Characterises aquifer types, hydraulic conductivity, and recharge sources at mine sites. Site assessment data drives inflow prediction and dewatering system design.

Lesson 1 • Incident Investigation and Learning

Applies root-cause analysis methods to investigate incidents and prevent recurrence. Effective investigation drives systemic improvement rather than blame assignment.

Lesson 2 • Safety Management Systems

Structures safety policies, procedures, and performance monitoring into a management system. Systematic management sustains safety performance beyond individual interventions.

Lesson 3 • Major Mining Hazard Controls

Addresses controls for ground fall, inrush, fire, explosion, and mobile equipment hazards. Each hazard type requires specific engineering and administrative controls.

Lesson 4 • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Applies structured methods to identify mining hazards and quantify risk levels. Risk assessment outputs prioritise controls and inform safety management plans.