Undergraduate - Course4618 - Bachelor of Mining Engineering (Honours)

NOTE: This course has had one or more changes made to it since publication on 1 October 2012. For details of changes, please consult the 2013 Handbook change register2013 Handbook change register (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2013handbooks/2013-change-register.html).

This course is concerned with extracting and processing ores from the earth. It requires the use of mathematics, computer applications, physical sciences including geoscience, and economics to be able to manage mining operations from exploration to the final processing stage.

The course covers mine design and operation, both surface and underground, ventilation systems, mineral processing, mine feasibility and environmental aspects. This requires a wide range of skills relating to technology, finance, people and the environment. The emphasis of the course is on sustainable development so that the environmental footprint of mining is minimised.

Mining engineers work with a wide range of people, both professional and non- professional. Good communication skills are therefore essential.

The course is a combination of theory and practice, is essentially problem-based, and has significant input from the mining sector.

Graduates from this course are expected to be able to:

• understand and proficiently apply the relevant sciences and scientific methods to mining engineering practice, to design solutions to complex problems
• identify and critically appraise the principles of the management of physical, human and financial resources associated with the practice of mining engineering
• identify and synthesise the constraints posed by economic factors, safety considerations and environmental impacts on mining engineering practice and use them to inform professional judgements
• determine, analyse and proficiently apply theoretical and numerical analysis of phenomena to predict, design, control and optimise the performance of mine systems
• research, identify, conceptualise, investigate, and interpret knowledge from different areas to synthesise a coherent approach to the solution of mining engineering problems or design of a mine project
• understand and critically evaluate the performance of a mining engineering system in terms of economics, safety and the environment, and implement approaches to minimise any adverse impact on the environment (physical, social and economic) leading to sustainable development
• critically evaluate assumptions and arguments
• recognise the need for, and implement, continuous change to improve outcomes
• develop and implement creative approaches to problem solving, including the use of computer based methods
• communicate effectively on both technical and general issues with peers, associates, clients and the general public
• function as an effective individual or as part of a team
• plan, organise and use resources efficiently
• demonstrate the highest standards of personal performance
• demonstrate commitment to self directed learning for continuing education
• understand the responsibilities of mining engineers to the community, the engineering profession and the industrial and business world
• demonstrate commitment to ethical standards and legal responsibilities to the community and the profession.

Vacation work/industrial experience

In order to fulfil the requirements of the various degree regulations and Engineers Australia, all engineering students must complete 12 weeks of approved engineering work experience and submit a report on that work. Such work is normally undertaken in the vacations between second and third years and/or between third and fourth years (but may also be taken between first and second years). Students who have completed all academic requirements for their degrees are not eligible to graduate until this work experience has been completed and a satisfactory report submitted.

For information about professional recognition of Faculty of Engineering courses visit http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2012handbooks/undergrad/eng-03.html

This course consists of core and elective units, and foundation units if required.

Level one includes the basic sciences such as mathematics, physics and chemistry, combined with one introductory mining engineering unit. The large majority of students entering the faculty have completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), and references in the following paragraphs are to the prerequisite VCE subjects. Some domestic and international students enter the faculty with equivalent qualifications, and advice about unit choice for students with qualifications other than the VCE may be obtained from the faculty administration offices. Foundation units are required for students who have not completed appropriate VCE studies.

The core discipline areas of mining engineering include field geology, mineral processing, environmental change and resource estimation, mining systems/planning, coal mine/hard rock/mine design, geotechnics, geoengineering and geoscience. In each of these areas, the course has a unit that lays the foundations of the discipline at level two, followed by an advanced unit that provides a significant engineering practice component at level three.

At level four the orientation is towards professional and project-based units.

The award of an honours grade in engineering is based on academic achievement.

Level 1

Core units

• ENG1020 Engineering structures
• ENG1040 Engineering dynamics
• ENG1060 Computing for engineers
• ENG1091 Mathematics for engineering
• ESC1011 Planet Earth and its environment: The cosmic connection
• MNE1010 Introduction to mining

Foundation units

Students who have not completed VCE units 3 and 4 of Chemistry or Physics and/or Specialist mathematics are required to select one or two appropriate foundation units(s):

• ENG1070 Foundation chemistry
• ENG1090 Foundation mathematics
• PHS1080 Foundation physics

Elective units

Select none, one or two units from:

• ENG1010 Process systems analysis
• ENG1050 Engineering materials
• ENG1061 Engineering profession
• ENG1081 Physics for engineering
• ESC1022 Planet earth: Dynamic systems; environmental change and resources

Total: 48 points

Level 2

Core units

• CIV2206 Mechanics of solids
• CIV2242 Geomechanics 1
• CIV2263 Water systems
• ENG2091 Advanced engineering mathematics A
• ESC2111 The dynamic Earth I: Building of continents and the environment
• MNE2010 Mine power and drainage

Electives

12 points from the following:

• CIV2207 Computing and water systems modelling
• ESC2132 Field geology
• ESC2122 The dynamic Earth II: Global processes*

* This unit is required as a prerequisite for students planning to enrol in the level three elective unit ESC3162.

Total: 48 points

Level 3

Core units

• ENE3608 Environmental impact assessment and management systems
• MNE3010 Rock mechanics
• MNE3020 Mine systems planning
• MNE3030 Mine ventilation
• MNE3040 Surface mining systems
• MNE3050 Underground mining systems
• MNE3060 Drilling and blasting

Electives

• 6 points from the list of electives below

Total: 48 points

Level 4

Core

• MNE4xxx Hard rock mine design and feasibility project
• MNE4xxx Coal mine design and feasibility project
• MNE4xxx Mine management and economics
• MNE4xxx Mineral processing
• MNE4xxx Mining research project I
• MNE4xxx Mining research project II

Electives

• 12 points from the list of electives below

Total: 48 points

Electives

• ESC3162 Ore deposit geology and global metallogeny*
• ESC3190 Hydrogeology and environmental geoscience
• ESC3201 Deformation and metamorphism of the crust**
• CIV3204 Engineering investigation
• CIV3248 Groundwater and environmental geoengineering
• CIV4248 Ground hazards and environmental geotechnics
• MNE4xxx Advanced mine ventilation
• MNE4xxx Mining asset management and services
• MNE4xxx Mine disaster, rescue and recovery
• MNE4xxx Mine health and safety

* Requires ESC2111 and ESC2122 (level two elective) as prerequisites.

** Recommended elective (by School of Geosciences, Faculty of Science).