Underground Production Systems

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2024/05

Institute / School :

Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability

Unit Title:

Underground Production Systems

Unit ID:

ENGIN3501

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

(ENGIN2502)

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

(ENMIN3020)

ASCED:

030303

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

Within the mining industry underground production is a major part of the industry. This unit allows participants to develop their knowledge of underground mining and will equip them with skills to be able to analyse how underground mining fits into the economy and develop solutions to the challenges of extracting material underground.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component:

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the unit the students are expected to be able to:

Knowledge:

K1.	Recognise the significance of the mining industry in the economy

K2.	Select the parameters used in determining which production system should be used

K3.	Recognize the effect of dilution on profitability and the relationship between dilution and recovery

K4.	Understand mine hoisting and transport systems in shafts declines and underground tunnels

K5.	Interpret various loading/transport systems in underground stoping and development

K6.	Identify the resources required for each method including: capital and operating costs, personnel and equipment, development requirements

Skills:

S1.	Investigate the best mining system for an ore deposit

S2.	Evaluate problems related to profit and ore dilution

S3.	Select appropriate tools to generate simple plans and sections of mine development

S4.	Evaluate if a given mineral deposit is likely to be profitable

S5.	Select equipment for underground hoisting and transport systems

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Synthesize knowledge and develop solutions to underground mining in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts

A2.	Develop short, medium and long term plans and schedules for an underground mine

Unit Content:

•Mining and the economy
•Setting up a new mine
•Social, political and environmental issues
•Selecting an underground production system
•Dilution and recovery
•Mining methods
•Hoisting and transport
•Loading and hauling
•Mining methods resource requirements
•Mass moment of inertia
•Kinetics of a rigid body

Graduate Attributes:

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting
1.	K1-6, S1-5, A1-2	A conceptual design assignment that will encompass numerical modelling techniques	Report	20 - 30%
2.	K1-6, S1-5, A1-2	A detailed design and site analysis	Report	20 - 30%
3.	K1-6, S1-5, A1-2	Examination of some or all of the unit content.	Examination	40 - 60%

Adopted Reference Style:

Other (IEEE: Refer to the library website for more information)

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency

Engineers Australia - Stage 1 (Professional): 2017 accreditation & AQF

Attribute			Assessed	Level
1 Knowledge and Skill Base
	1.1 Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.
		1.1.1 Engages with the engineering discipline at a phenomenological level, applying sciences and engineering fundamentals to systematic investigation, interpretation, analysis and innovative solution of complex problems and broader aspects of engineering practice.	Yes	Advanced
	1.2 Conceptual understanding of the, mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
		1.2.1 Develops and fluently applies relevant investigation analysis, interpretation, assessment, characterisation, prediction, evaluation, modelling, decision making, measurement, knowledge management and communication tools and techniques pertinent to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
	1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
		1.3.1 Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge and skills in at least one specialist practice domain of the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
	1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
		1.4.1 Identifies and critically appraises current developments, advanced technologies, emerging issues and interdisciplinary linkages in at least one specialist practice domain of the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		1.4.2 Interprets and applies selected research literature to inform engineering application in at least one specialist domain of the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
	1.5 Knowledge of contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
		1.5.1 Identifies and understands the interactions between engineering systems and people in the social, cultural, environmental, commercial, legal and political contexts in which they operate, including both the positive role of engineering in sustainable development and the potentially adverse impacts of engineering activity in the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		1.5.2 Is aware of the founding principles of human factors relevant to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
2 Engineering Application Ability
	2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
		2.1.1 Identifies, discerns and characterises salient issues, determines and analyses causes and effects, justifies and applies appropriate simplifying assumptions, predicts performance and behaviour, synthesises solution strategies and develops substantiated conclusions.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.2 Ensures that all aspects of an engineering activity are soundly based on fundamental principles - by diagnosing, and taking appropriate action with data, calculations, results, proposals, processes, practices, and documented information that may be ill-founded, illogical, erroneous, unreliable or unrealistic.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.3 Competently addresses engineering problems involving uncertainty, ambiguity, imprecise information and wide-ranging and sometimes conflicting technical and non-technical factors.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.6 Critically reviews and applies relevant standards and codes of practice underpinning the engineering discipline and nominated specialisations.	Yes	Advanced
3 Professional and Personal Attributes
	3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
		3.2.1 Is proficient in listening, speaking, reading and writing English, including: a) comprehending critically and fairly the viewpoints of others; b) expressing information effectively and succinctly, issuing instruction, engaging in discussion, presenting arguments and justification, debating and negotiating to technical and non-technical audiences and using textual, diagrammatic, pictorial and graphical media best suited to the context; c) representing an engineering position, or the engineering profession at large to the broader community; d) appreciating the impact of body language, personal behaviour and other non-verbal communication processes, as well as the fundamentals of human social behaviour and their cross-cultural differences.	Yes	Advanced
		3.2.2 Prepares high quality engineering documents such as progress and project reports, reports of investigations and feasibility studies, proposals, specifications, design records, drawings, technical descriptions and presentations pertinent to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced