MINING 7070 - Resource Estimation

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2018

Resource and reserve estimation of coal and metalliferous deposits. Geological influences on resource and reserve estimation. Basic resource/reserve reporting with particular reference to the JORC code. Orebody and block modelling. Mine planning process and roles of feasibility studies. Mining economics and business framework. Fundamental financial concepts for mining operations.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MINING 7070
    Course Resource Estimation
    Coordinating Unit School of Civil, Environmental & Mining Eng
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Assessment Exams, quizzes, assignments, group projects
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Chaoshui Xu

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 Explain the mine planning process and the impact of the economic environment on mining
    2 Explain the role of feasibility studies in mine planning
    3 Create coal and metalliferous resource models from exploration datasets using appropriate software tools and various estimation techniques
    4 Criticise the merits and drawbacks of various estimation methods relevant to specific mineral deposit types
    5 Report resources and reserves using the JORC code
    6 Demonstrate an understanding of the time value of money, discount rate, commodity markets and rates of return
    7 Explain the unique characteristics of mining and their implications for mine economics

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
    The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1   1.2   1.3   1.4   1.5   1.6   2.1   2.2   2.3   2.4   3.1   3.2   3.3   3.4   3.5   3.6   

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3,5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,2,3,4,5,6,7
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    3,5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3,5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Course Texts

    • Course Reader (available on MyUni or can be purchased online from Image & Copy)

    Section

    Topic

    Author

    1

    Mine Planning Process

    MTEC

    2

    Economic Environment and Mine Planning

    MTEC

    3

    Roles of Feasibility Study

    MTEC

    4

    JORC Code

    JORC

    5

    Resource Estimation Techniques

    MTEC/Chaoshui Xu

    6

    Financial Concepts

    MTEC

    7

    Mining Economics

    MTEC

    8

    Cost Estimation

    MTEC

    • Lecture slides (available on MyUni)
    • Additional reference texts are listed in the course reader at the end of each section


    Software Tools

    • Surfer 8
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Geostatistics for Windows / Vulcan
    Recommended Resources
    Reference Texts

    • Reference texts are listed in the course reader at the end of each section.
    • Selected additional reading materials are available on MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course uses a number of different teaching and learning approaches including:

    • Lectures
    • Problem-solving tutorials
    • Software demonstrations
    • Self-directed activities
    • Individual assignment
    • Group project
    • Quizzes
    • Examination
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    • Lecturers = 2.0 hours per week;
    • Tutorials/prac = 2.0 hours per week,
    • Group work = 2 - 5 hours per week
    • Self-study = 4 - 8 hours per week
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week Activities & Topics Covered
    1-3 Introduction to mine planning, mining business framework
    Sampling, data analysis, JORC code
    Quiz 1
    Individual assignment starts
    Software training - SURFER
    4-7 Resource estimation: traditional estimation techniques, geostatistics
    Individual assignment due, group project starts
    Quiz 2
    Software training - Geostatistics
    8-11 Financial evaluation of mining projects
    Mining economics
    Cost estimation
    Quiz 3
    Group project due
    12 Course review
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes
    In-class Quiz 1 6 Individual Summative Week 4 1. 2. 5.
    In-class Quiz 2 7 Individual Summative Week 7 4. 5.
    In-class Quiz 3 7 Individual Summative Week 12 6. 7.
    Individual Project 20 Individual Summative Week 5 3. 4. 5.
    Group Project 20 Group Summative Week 11 2. 3. 4. 5.
    Final Exam 40 Individual Summative Exam Period Min 40% 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.
     
    This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    Key assessment submission deadlines:

    Coursework Assignment Due
    Quiz 1 Week 4A
    Individual assignment Week 5B
    Quiz 2 Week 7B
    Group project Week 11A
    Quiz 3 Week 12A
    Final exam Exam period
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

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    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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