Exploration and Mining 1

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
EAES 2900
Descriptive
Exploration and Mining 1
Department
Earth & Environmental Sciences
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
4.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 Weeks
Max Class Size
20
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Contact Hours

Lecture: 2 hours/week

and

Lab: 4 hours/week

Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning Activities

Lectures and labs. Occasional field trips may be required.

Course Description
This course covers the various stages of the mineral exploration process, from reconnaissance to pre-development. Field trips may be required.
Course Content
  • Mineral economics and industry structure: types of companies, financial markets, commodities, economic cycles
  • Mineral deposits: economic minerals, alteration minerals and coal, deposit models (sedimentary, magmatic, hydrothermal, supergene)
  • Process of exploration: exploration phases, geological methods, remote sensing, geophysical methods, geochemical methods, drilling methods
  • Sampling media, methods and statistics
  • Exploration safety: risk assessment, planning, training, equipment, evacuation
  • Exploration tenure and access: mineral ownership, mineral claims, surface access, guidelines and regulations, interested parties
  • Mining methods
  • Maps and cross-sections showing exploration information, using GIS and other methods
Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • discuss the economic and industrial factors that affect exploration and mining.
  • list major types of mineral deposits.
  • describe the stages of the exploration process, including the methods used to collect and assess information.
  • describe sampling methods, and use appropriate sampling methods to collect soil and rock samples.
  • identify exploration safety risks, and prepare an emergency response plan.
  • describe the process of gaining tenure and access to an exploration property, including identifying interested parties.
  • summarize the common methods of mining.
  • prepare maps and cross-sections to display exploration information.
Means of Assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following: 

Assignments and labs 25 - 40%

Project(s) 10 - 25%

Quizzes 0-10%

Term tests 25%

Final exam 25%

Total 100%

Textbook Materials

Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students. A list of required and textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester. Example texts may include:

  • Stephens, R.; Mineral Exploration and Mining Essentials;  Pakawau GeoManagement Inc, current edition or an equivalent text

Optional Textbooks:  

  • Moon, C.J, Whately, K.G., Evans, A.M.; Introduction to Mineral Exploration; Blackwell Publishing, current edition or an equivalent text
  • Coe, A.L.; Geological Field Techniques;  Wiley-Blackwell Publishing

Additional course materials: "Rite in the Rain" waterproof booklet or equivalent, rock hammer, hand lens, mineral identification kit, safety eyewear

Prerequisites

EAES 1500

and

EAES 1900

and

CMNS (1105 or 1110 or 1111 or 1115 or 1118) or ENGL (any 1100 level course).

Which Prerequisite