Mineral Processing I

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:

Mineral Processing I

Unit ID:

SCMET3100

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

Nil

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

Nil

ASCED:

030305

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

Mineral processing is a major and vital part of the mining industry. This course allows participants to develop knowledge of the principles and practices applied in the mineral processing area. It will equip participants with technical skills and abilities to analyse how mineral processing fits into the economy of the industry, and, develop solutions to the challenges and efficiencies of extracting any valuable mineral or metal.

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 apply:

Knowledge:

K1.	Recognise and explain the significance of mineral processing in the mining industry and its impact on the industry economy

K2.	Identify closed and open comminution systems, describe the essential difference between them, and recognise their importance in the design of mineral processing plants.

K3.	Identify the essential difference between crushing and grinding processes.

K4.	Identify critical operating parameters of different equipment and understand the systems for monitoring and controlling them.

K5.	Discuss the principles of gravity separation and interpret their importance in the design of gravity concentrating circuits.

K6.	Evaluate the importance of maintenance and any required adjustment of the mineral processing plant equipment including size reduction units, classifiers, and gravity separation equipment.

Skills:

S1.	Investigate and solve problems involving systems commonly found in mineral processing applications

S2.	Investigate, and present evidence of, problem-solving and calculations within mineral processing in a clear, logical, and concise way.

S3.	Analyse and create graphical presentations of technical data commonly generated in mineral processing applications.

S4.	Compare and contrast equipment typically used in minerals processing and interpret laboratory-scale units.

S5.	Evaluate the performance of laboratory-scale mineral processing units with respect to industrial standards.

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Synthesize from the knowledge gained and develop solutions to comminution and gravity separation circuits in a range of technical functions.

A2.	Solve real mineral processing problems through symbolic, numeric, and experimental analysis.

Unit Content:

•Mineralogical assessment
•Sampling theory and Gy`s formula
•Metallurgical accounting
•Comminution processes - crushing and grinding
•Laboratory and industrial screening
•Classification methods
•Gravity separation processes
•Dense media separation
•Coal preparation

Graduate Attributes:

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting
1.	K1-5, S1-3, A1-2	Tutorial problems	Assignment	20% - 40%
2.	K3-6, S1-5, A1-2	Practical exercises	Reports on practical exercises	20% - 40%
3.	K1-5, S1-5, A1-2	Engagement in all learning activities including attendance and participation in classes, exercises, recomended and supplementary readings and other activities as sugested.	Test	40% - 60%

Adopted Reference Style:

Australian Harvard

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency

Threshold Learning Outcomes - Science: Initial

Attribute			Assessed	Level
1 Understanding Science
	1.1 Demonstrate a coherent understanding of science.
		1.1.1 Articulating the methods of science and explaining why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry.	Yes	Advanced
		1.1.2 Explaining the role and relevance of science in society.	Yes	Advanced
2 Scientific Knowledge
	2.1 Exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge.
		2.1.1 Demonstrating well-developed knowledge in at least one disciplinary area.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.2 Demonstrating knowledge in at least one other disciplinary area.	Yes	Advanced
3 Inquiry and Problem Solving
	3.1 Critically analyse and solve scientific problems.
		3.1.1 Gathering, synthesising and critically evaluating information from a range of source.	Yes	Advanced
		3.1.2 Designing and planning an investigation.	Yes	Advanced
		3.1.3 Selecting and applying practical and / or theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation.	Yes	Advanced
		3.1.4 Collecting, accurately recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from scientific data.	Yes	Advanced
4 Communication
	4.1 Be effective communicators of science.
		4.1.1 Communicating scientific results, information, or arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes, and using a variety of modes.	Yes	Advanced
		4.1.2 Communication to other audiences.	Yes	Advanced
5 Personal and Professional Responsibility
	5.1 Be accountable for their own learning and scientific work.
		5.1.1 Being independent and self-directed learners.	Yes	Advanced
		5.1.2 Working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context.	Yes	Advanced
		5.1.3 Demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to their disciplinary area and personally practising ethical conduct.	Yes	Advanced

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

Attribute			Assessed	Level
1 Knowledge and Skill Base
	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	Intermediate
2 Engineering Application Ability
	2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
		2.2.1 Proficiently identifies, selects and applies the materials, components, devices, systems, processes, resources, plant and equipment relevant to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		2.2.9 Understands the need for systematic management of the acquisition, commissioning, operation, upgrade, monitoring and maintenance of engineering plant, facilities, equipment and systems.	Yes	Advanced
	2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
		2.3.1 Proficiently applies technical knowledge and open ended problem solving skills as well as appropriate tools and resources to design components, elements, systems, plant, facilities and/or processes to satisfy user requirements.	Yes	Advanced
3 Professional and Personal Attributes
	3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
		3.5.2 Understands the importance of being a member of a professional and intellectual community, learning from its knowledge and standards, and contributing to their maintenance and advancement.	Yes	Intermediate
	3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership.
		3.6.1 Understands the fundamentals of team dynamics and leadership.	Yes	Introductory