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. Further work on assignments is completed before, between and after the two intensive study blocks.
Summary
| Unit name | Geometallurgy |
| Unit code | KEA711 |
| Credit points | 25 |
| College/School | Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences |
| Discipline | CODES ARC |
| Coordinator | Doctor Angela Escolme |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Postgraduate |
Sustainable Development Goals
The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.
Availability
Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August
Learning Outcomes
- Explain how geological variability impacts the mining value chain
- Select and evaluate tools/samples to characterise geometallurgical domains
- Develop and validate geometallurgical proxies to predict ore processing performance
- Apply geometallurgical insights to improve operational outcomes and the sustainability of mining
- Communicate geometallurgy concepts, results and interpretations to various stakeholders in oral and written reports
Fee Information
2027 fee information will be available in August.
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) |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Assessment 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 and online forum posts (15%)|Assessment Task 2: Case study oral presentation (20%)|Assessment Task 5: Geometallurgy project (35%) |
| Timetable | View 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. |
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.