| Effective Term: | 2026/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability |
| Unit Title: | Underground Production Systems |
| Unit ID: | ENGRG3403 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 030303 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit introduces the principles and practices of underground mining methods used for the extraction of ore bodies at depth. It explores the selection, design, and operation of key underground mining systems, including self-supported open stoping methods, cut-and-fill methods, and caving methods. Emphasis is placed on orebody characterization, mining method selection, mining production design and implementation, access development, ground support, drainage control, ventilation, equipment selection, and material handling systems (including hoisting and transportation). Through a combination of theoretical content and applied assessments, students will develop the ability to evaluate the suitability of various mining methods for specific mineral deposits, considering geotechnical, economic, and environmental factors. |
| 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: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | |  | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Recognise the significance of the mining industry in the economy |
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| K2. | Select the parameters used in determining which underground mining system should be used |
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| K3. | Recognize the effect of mining recovery and dilution rates on profitability and their relationships |
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| K4. | Understand mine hoisting and transport systems in shafts declines and underground tunnels |
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| K5. | Interpret various loading/transport systems in underground mining and development |
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| K6. | Identify the resources required for common underground mining methods |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Select the best mining system for an ore deposit |
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| S2. | Evaluate problems related to mining profitability, ore recovery and ore dilution |
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| S3. | Select appropriate tools to generate simple plans and sections of mine development |
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| S4. | Evaluate if a given mineral deposit is likely to be profitable |
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| S5. | Select equipment for underground hoisting and transport systems |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Synthesize knowledge and develop solutions to underground mining in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialized contexts |
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| A2. | Plan and design an underground mining project |
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| 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 |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate high-level skills to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups Students will be required to display (in person and/or online) high-level skills in-person and/or online in: • Effective verbal and non-verbal communication via a range of synchronous and asynchronous methods • Active listening for meaning and influencing • High-level empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating extended conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply leadership skills and behaviours Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating, contributing to, and enabling collegial environments • Showing self-awareness and the ability to self-reflect for personal growth • Inspiring and enabling others • Making informed and evidence-based decisions through consultation with others • Displaying initiative and ability to solve problems | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complex and ambiguous environments, using their imagination to create new ideas Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically on complex problems • Synthesising, evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Proposing alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts through deep inquiry • Proposing creative solutions in problem solving | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work proficiently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks Students will be required to display high-level skills in: • Finding, accessing, collating, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and appropriately and securely sharing complex digital information at a high-level • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Using digital tools appropriately to conduct research • Contributing proficiently to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and utilising digital learning opportunities | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to think ethically and sustainably. Students will be required to display skills in: • The responsible conduct of research • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in multiple global economic environmental and societal contexts • Demonstrating commitment to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Generating research solutions which are sustainable,ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable • Extending lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Demonstrate extended actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, S1, S3, A1 | Mining method selection and justification for given mineral deposits | Analytical Report | 10 - 20% | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2 | Numerical questions and designs | Assignment Report | 20 - 40% | | 3. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2 | Final Test/Examination | Oral Examination of Design project | 40 - 60% |
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