Courses & Units

Geometallurgy KEA711

Introduction

Geometallurgy involves a quantified and comprehensive approach to ore characterization in terms of critical processing attributes. These include blasting, crushing, grinding, liberation, recovery and environmental management. Key outcomes of improved geometallurgical knowledge are improved forecasting, reduced technical risk, enhanced economic optimization of mineral production, and the improved sustainability of mining operations. This unit introduces a range of techniques to improve the information that geologists produce in the mine environment that are relevant to mining engineers and metallurgists. It provides participants with the knowledge and skills to enhance communication between mining engineers, metallurgists and geologists in a mining environment. Geometallurgy is available as both an OPTIONAL unit in the Mastery block of the Master of Economic Geology degree or as one of three CORE OPTION capstone coursework units (two selected) that may be taken during the Research/Project block of the degree. This unit is delivered in two (one 6-day and one 5-day) intensive study blocks, which involve approximately 50 hrs of lectures and 20 hrs of practicals and tutorials. A further 90 hrs work on assignments is completed in six weeks either side of, and the four weeks in between, the two intensive study blocks.

Summary

Unit name Geometallurgy
Unit code KEA711
Credit points 25
College/School College of Sciences and Engineering
School of Natural Sciences
Discipline Earth Sciences
Coordinator Doctor Angela Escolme
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Postgraduate

Availability

This unit is currently unavailable.

Note

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Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

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Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the significance and impact of geological variability (e.g. mineralogy, texture, elemental composition) throughout the mining value chain
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of different tools and testing methods for characterising geometallurgical domains
  • Use geometallurgical knowledge to enhance the sustainability and feasibility of mining projects and inform best practice in waste management, energy and water use
  • Devise and evaluate geometallurgical programs to enhance the sustainability of mining (e.g. reduced energy consumption, improved metal recovery and waste management, minimise detrimental environmental and social impacts).
  • Communicate geometallurgy concepts, results and interpretations to various stake holders in oral and written reports

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
not applicable

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

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Teaching

Teaching Pattern

This unit is delivered in two (one 6-day and one 5-day) intensive study blocks, which involve approximately 50 hrs of lectures and 20 hrare expected to complete an additional ~4 hrs independent learning per week over 12 weeks (e.g. recommended readings, reviewing lectures, individual research, etc)

AssessmentAssessment Task 1. Introductory Talk (Case study site selection)|Assessment Task 3: Gold deportment and recovery assignment (15%)|Assessment Task 4: Quantitative mineralogy assignment. (15%)|Assessment Task 6: Social licence video post. (15%)|Assessment Task 2: Case study oral presentation (20%)|Assessment Task 5: Geometallurgy project (35%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

There are no required reading materials for this unit

Recommended

All recommended reading materials for this unit are provided via the unit MyLO page.

LinksBooktopia textbook finder

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