MODULE TITLE Economics, Processing & Environment CREDIT VALUE 15

MODULE CODE CSMM135 MODULE CONVENER Unknown

DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 3-4 weeks

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 55

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

The module provides the opportunity for graduates from a range of disciplines to study important aspects of the mining cycle. These include mineral economics,
processing of mineral ores to produce concentrates or metal and environmental impacts and remediation techniques. When linked to other specific modules, it
forms part of the specialist training for the MSc in Mining Engineering, Mining Geology and Exploration Geology.
AIMS - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide you with a broad understanding of both the macro-economic and the industry specific economic environment in which mines and
projects operate and are evaluated. It introduces you to financial analysis and explores how technical and operational parameters influence the revenue stream
and cost structure at mines.

This module has been designed to develop a systematic understanding of the unit processes used in mineral processing and an appreciation of how these unit
processes are combined to produce an overall treatment system for a range of minerals and metals.
This module familiarises the student with the legal and regulatory environmental framework within which companies explore, exploit and manage mineral
resources. It highlights the key environmental impacts and issues arising from mineral exploration and exploitation and introduces concepts of Social Licence To
Operate and Corporate Social Responsibility.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 understand the basic principles of mineral economics and perform simple financial techniques in the appraisal of mining operations;
2 demonstrate an understanding of how mineral processing and hydrometallurgical techniques can be used to produce saleable mineral and metal products;
3 comprehend the effect of mining on the environment, the planning of extractive operations to minimise impact, and the legislation associated with the
environmental impact of mining. Knowledge of how to deal with environmental damage and disasters associated with mining.
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
4 communicate knowledgeably with others on economic, processing and environmental issues associated with mining.
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:
5 utilise a full range of computer-based learning resources;
6 professionally present written information;
7 plan and manage self-study time and tasks; accessing additional resources to provide sufficient independent study in support of the syllabus.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
Economic Topics
1. Mineral Economics. Industry fundamentals and macro-economic environment. The effects of supply and demand in perfect markets and the real world, key
price drivers that effect mineral commodity prices. Development of price forecasts and metal market studies. Introduction to capital expenditure, operating costs
and unit/cash cost curves.
2. Financial Analysis. Role of cash flow modelling & financial analysis/valuation of mining projects and operations. Coverage of the main components of such an
analysis. General coverage of risk/sensitivity analysis, the main technical and engineering factors considered and the most common sources of business risk in
the mining industry.

Processing Topics
1. Mineralogy and Geometallurgy: Introduction to the link between mineralogy of an ore and the selection of a mineral processing circuit. Importance of early
identification (during exploration phases) of suitability of mineralisation for cost effective processing.
2. Metallurgical efficiency and metallurgical balances; 2 product formula, NSR, unaccounted losses and gains.
3. Comminution: types and application of various crushers, grinding mills (rod, ball and autogenous, stirred media).
4. Screening & Classification: Types of screen, classification fundamentals and review of equipment including hydrocyclones.
5. Dense Medium Separation (DMS): Types of medium for plant and laboratory use, Dynamic and gravitational vessels, DMS circuits, evaluation of DMS
performance.
6. Gravity concentration: sluices, cone concentrators, spiral concentrators, jigs, shaking tables and centrifugal separators (Knelson, Falcon and Mozley MGS)
7. Sensor-based ore sorting. Selection of sensors and application in the minerals industry
8. Magnetic and electrostatic separation. Classification and examples of low and high intensity magnetic separators. Superconducting magnetic separation.
Example of treatment of beach sand concentrates
9. Froth Flotation. Classification of reagents, mechanical and pneumatic flotation cells, flotation circuits. Examples of collectors, activators and depressants for a
range of mineral ores. Hydrometallurgy. Leaching methods (in-situ, heap, agitation, BIOX), solvent extraction, ion exchange, use of activated carbon.
Electrowinning and electro-refining, using copper and aluminium as examples.
10. Laboratory exercise. Grinding, froth flotation and data analysis.

Environmental Topics
1. Issues associated with the environmental impact of mining, both opencast and underground. Visual impact, noise, dust, effects on watercourses and
groundwater, effects of chemicals used in processing, acid mine drainage.
2. Methods for amelioration of impacts.
3. Environmental legislation and global legislative and socio-economic environments in context of the extractive industries
4. Environmental Case studies – research and discussion based investigations

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 38.00 Guided Independent Study 112.00 Placement / Study Abroad

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 38 Lectures
Guided Independent study 112 Private Study
 ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Size of Assessment (e.g. ILOs
Form of Assessment Feedback Method
duration/length) Assessed
Analysis of a mineral separation experiment (froth Feedback during the laboratory
2 hrs 2, 5
flotation) practical

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework 10 Written Exams 75 Practical Exams 15

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

% of ILOs Feedback
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)
Credit Assessed Method
Assignment 1a
4-6 sides of A4 text plus supporting tables and diagrams etc.
SWOT/PESTLE Analysis of a Mine’s/Project’s Environmental 10 3,4,5-7 Written
in a short report format
Scenario
Assignment 1b
POSTER
15 POSTER (AO) prepared as pdf file by group exercise 3, 4, 5-7 Written
Group presentation of the key aspects of a Mine’s/Project’s
Environmental Scenario
Personal tutor
Examination 75 2 hours 1-3

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Coursework New assignment 1a 3, 4, 6-7 May
Examination New examination 1-3 May

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN Search
Mining Valuation Handbook - Mining and Energy Valuation for
Set Rudenno, Victor 3rd Edition John Wiley & Sons 2009 [Library]
Investors and Management
Set Wanless R.M. Finance for Mine Managers Chapman & Hall 1983 [Library]
Set Open University Physical resources and environment. Course 268 Open University 1995 [Library]
Wills, B.A. and Napier- Dawson Butterworth
Set Mineral Processing Technology 2006 9780080479477 [Library]
Munn, T.J. (electronic book) Heinemann

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None

CO-REQUISITE MODULES None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No

ORIGIN DATE Wednesday 11 January 2017 LAST REVISION DATE Friday 15 September 2017

KEY WORDS SEARCH Economics; processing; environment.