MINING 7070 - Resource Estimation

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

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.

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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	Y
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.

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

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 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.

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

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

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

Assessment Summary

Due to the current COVID-19 situation modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching. Assessment details provided here reflect recent updates.

Assessment Task	Weighting (%)	Individual/ Group	Formative/ Summative	Due (week)*	Hurdle criteria	Learning outcomes
Three quizzes	20		Summative
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

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.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

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.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator