Lecture: 2 hours/week
and
Lab: 4 hours/week
Lectures and Labs. Occasional field trips may be required.
- Evaluation of advanced mineral exploration properties, resource/reserve estimation, mine project feasibility
- Mining methods (underground, open pit, solution mining) and mining equipment/technology
- Geological mapping in open pits and underground mines
- Mineral processing
- Environmental impacts, protection and mitigation
- Mine closure
- Case studies of exploration leading through mining
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- calculate a simplified reserve estimate.
- describe mining methods and their associated technology and processing.
- explain geological tasks in a mine, including mapping, core logging and others.
- discuss environmental concerns and mitigation strategies used in exploration and mining.
- describe the process of mine closure.
- compare and contrast case studies of mineral exploration and mining.
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%
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, current edition or an equivalent text
Additional course materials: "Rite in the Rain" waterproof booklet or equivalent, rock hammer, hand lens, mineral identification kit, safety eyewear