units

MNE4020

Faculty of Engineering

18 September 2017 22 November 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Engineering
OfferedClayton Second semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Professor Jerry Tien

Synopsis

This unit covers the feasibility design of surface and/or underground hard rock mining operations. As part of the mine design process a range of factors based on site-specific geological, geographical and engineering considerations are considered, including surface features, mine layout, equipment selection, staffing and scheduling, cost estimation, risk analysis, sustainability and community expectations. Specialized mine design software are used for short- and long-term planning to facilitate the design process. The design is undertaken by teams which are required to prepare and present a feasibility study report. Teamwork, project management and presentations skills are assessed, in addition to the technical analysis and content of the final design.

Outcomes

At the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to:

  • develop a feasibility plan for a hard rock mine project
  • develop and evaluate specifics of hard rock deposit characteristics in mine layout, production planning, equipment selection, mine reclamation with life-cycle analysis considerations suitable for developing a feasibility design
  • analyse and evaluate various engineering planning concepts such as capital budgeting, cut-off grades, breakeven analysis, pit and underground layout optimization to develop a feasibility design
  • prepare a sensitivity analysis based on empirical and market cost and revenue assumptions and their impacts on predetermined corporate goals
  • produce a feasibility study plan for a hard rock mine project
  • prepare and present the feasibility report to various audiences

Assessment

Individual and group written reports and oral presentations: 100%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jeffrey Walker

Workload requirements

3 hours practice class, 9 hours private study per week

Prerequisites

MNE3040 and MNE3050

Co-requisites

None

Prohibitions

None