RSE4040 - Mineral processing - 2019

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

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

Faculty

Engineering

Organisational Unit

Department of Civil Engineering

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jeff Walker

Coordinator(s)

Dr Hossein Masoumi

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2019 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

MNE3060 or RSE3060

Prohibitions

MNE4040

Synopsis

This unit provides an introduction to the processing technologies used in the minerals industry, their characteristics and how and why they are used. This will also provide an introduction to the underpinning fundamental physical, chemical and transport processes, to demonstrate the influence of raw materials and market needs on processes and products, and the importance of the coordination between mining and processing. The processes used will apply to all minerals: metals, non-metals, coal and the aggregate.

A combination of a project-based approach together with a sequence of sample practicals to provide practice and experience in the use of analysis and design tools will be employed.

Outcomes

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

  1. Comprehend the principles of physical and chemical processes that allow selective separation of minerals from ores, and of elements from mineral concentrates, metals and materials to maximise the recovery of valuable resources.
  2. Synthesise the fundamental processes and equipment design to suit the process objectives and optimise the plant performance.
  3. Analyse the process route for a given ore deposit or source materials and evaluate its economic and environmental impacts and develop measures to improve it.
  4. Apply process flow sheets to synthesise the processes undertaken in mineral and material processing and to evaluate the suitability of a specific technology.

Assessment

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Continuous Assessment: 50%

Examination (2 hours): 50%

Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final examination component, and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.

Workload requirements

3 hours lectures, 2 hours practice classes and 7 hours of private study per week.

See also Unit timetable information