Overview
You will be introduced to critical concepts in the application of geo-technical methods to mining operations. The methods and procedures you will learn will cover rock testing, design of underground openings, and pillar and ground support design. You will gain an understanding of how underground mining methods can impact on infrastructure and aquifers through subsidence. You will also learn how to analyse the stability of slopes generated by open pit mining operations. Throughout the unit you will be required to demonstrate professional levels of teamwork and communication. In this unit, you must complete compulsory practical activities. Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for proposed dates.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Feedback
Clear unit requirements
The Unit requirements should be clearly explained in the first lecture and should be discussed briefly in all lectures.
- Apply various methods of rock testing to determine the relevant design properties of specific rock types
- Design openings, pillars and ground support for given situations in underground mining
- Describe subsidence associated with various mining methods and identify its potential impact on infrastructure and aquifers
- Analyse slope instabilities for given situations in surface mining operations
- Demonstrate professional levels of teamwork and communication to support collaborative peer group learning.
The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards for Professional Engineers in the areas of 1. Knowledge and Skill Base, 2. Engineering Application Ability and 3. Professional and Personal Attributes at the following levels:
Introductory
Intermediate
Advanced
1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. (LO: 1N 2A 3N 4I )
Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for further information on the Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers and course level mapping information
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 45% | |||||
| 4 - Practical Assessment - 0% | |||||
| 5 - Portfolio - 0% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 35% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 45% | |||||||||||
| 4 - Practical Assessment - 0% | |||||||||||
| 5 - Portfolio - 0% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
No
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Spreadsheet Software
- Zoom
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.qureshi@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 08 Jul 2024Module/Topic
Unit Introduction
Rock characterisation for rock mechanics design
Chapter
Engineered Rock Structures in Mining and Civil and Construction.
How to develop a study plan.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Week 2
Begin Date: 15 Jul 2024Module/Topic
Compressive, tensile and shear strength of rocks
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Week 3
Begin Date: 22 Jul 2024Module/Topic
Time-dependent behavior and index properties of rocks
Chapter
Work through assignments and learning portfolio questions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Assignment 1 Due: Week 3 Friday (26 July 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 4
Begin Date: 29 Jul 2024Module/Topic
Measurement and Analysis of stresses in rock
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Week 5
Begin Date: 05 Aug 2024Module/Topic
Geomechanics instrumentation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 12 Aug 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The timing of the residential school will be dependent on mine site availability. If a mine site is unavailable, the residential school will involve a lab session run on the Mackay Ooralea campus or the Rockhampton North campus, depending on staff availability.
Week 6
Begin Date: 19 Aug 2024Module/Topic
Engineering classification of rock masses
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Week 7
Begin Date: 26 Aug 2024Module/Topic
Design of structures in rock
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Assignment 2 Due: Week 7 Friday (30 Aug 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Practical Assessment - Rock Engineering Laboratory or Mine Site Visit. Due: Week 7 Friday (30 Aug 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8
Begin Date: 02 Sep 2024Module/Topic
Stability of underground openings
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Week 9
Begin Date: 09 Sep 2024Module/Topic
Design and stability of pillars and associated structures
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Week 10
Begin Date: 16 Sep 2024Module/Topic
Mine Support, mine subsidence and application of geomechanics
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Week 11
Begin Date: 23 Sep 2024Module/Topic
Slope stability
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Week 12
Begin Date: 30 Sep 2024Module/Topic
Unit review
Chapter
Work through assignment and learning portfolio questions
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial
Assignment 3 Due: Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Learning Portfolio Due: Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 07 Oct 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 14 Oct 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
This assessment is designed to strengthen your understanding of rock characterization and how to measure the strength of rocks. You will need to carefully review the course material and answer the questions in the assignment. This assignment will cover work detailed in the first three weeks of the unit. A marking criteria sheet is also available in the assignment link. Use this sheet to check that you have addressed all assignment requirements.
To achieve this, you will need to:
- Review the detailed assignment questions found in Moodle.
- Review relevant literature (textbooks, websites, etc.) to understand better the processes and procedures associated with sampling and testing rocks.
- Research the primary literature to locate relevant current primary sources (scientific journal articles written in the last ten years)
- Complete the assignment questions in your own words, effectively using the sources of information.
Your assignment should be produced electronically using word processing and spreadsheet software. Submit your work through the assessment link on Moodle.
Note: All submissions are processed through the similarity detection software Turnitin. You must ensure all the work is your own, per University requirements. Correctly reference all sources of information using the CQU Harvard referencing style guide.
Week 3 Friday (26 July 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 5 Friday (9 Aug 2024)
Within 2 weeks of receipt of assignment.
Structure
Cover Page showing unit code and name, student name and number, date, assignment number, lecturer, and university. An interesting picture related to the assignment work (cite and reference source). Correctly formatted table of contents, including a page for figures and tables. Include page headers and footers. State the assignment question at the beginning of each answer to give context to your answers. Include a reference list at the end of the assignment.
Content
For calculation-based questions, ensure formulae and workings are shown in sufficient detail to clearly explain how the answer was derived. Include screenshots of spreadsheets as figures within the text of your answer, where required. Also, include a spreadsheet as a separate submission. Ensure formulae are included in the spreadsheets so that you can enter different values to check the sensitivity of the answer. Formulae included in the spreadsheet need to be accessible for marking. Answers should show correct units of measurement, e.g. (m, MN, m2, tonnes, m3, oC, etc.).
Where appropriate, include clearly labelled diagrams detailing such things as,
- the dimensions of equipment and excavations
- angles of slopes
- coal thickness and overburden dimensions
- shapes of underground openings
- geometry of samples
For descriptive answers, use clear, coherent sentences. Ensure photographs, pictures and diagrams are correctly labelled and introduced within the preceding text. Use in-text citations and correctly reference all sources of information. Please include at least one reference from a journal paper from the CQU library (do not reference it as a webpage). Use mining terminology correctly. A more detailed and specific marking criteria sheet will be available to download from within the assignment link on Moodle.
- Apply various methods of rock testing to determine the relevant design properties of specific rock types
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Written Assessment
This assessment will strengthen your understanding of the time-dependent behaviour of rock, the measurement and analysis of stress in the rock, and the classification of a rock mass. You will need to carefully review the course material and answer the questions in the assignment. This assignment will cover the unit's material detailed in weeks 4 to 6. A marking criteria sheet is also available in the assignment link. Use this sheet to check that you have addressed all assignment requirements.
To achieve this, you will need to:
- Review the detailed assignment questions found in Moodle.
- Review relevant literature (textbooks, websites, etc.) to gain an understanding of the time-dependent behaviour of rock, the measurement and analysis of stress and the classification of rock mass
- Research the primary literature to locate relevant current primary sources (scientific journal articles written in the last ten years)
- Complete the assignment questions in your own words, using reliable sources of information effectively.
Your assignment should be produced electronically using word processing and spreadsheet software. Submit your work through the assessment link on Moodle.
Note: All submissions are processed through the similarity detection software Turnitin. You must ensure all the work is your own, per University requirements. Correctly reference all sources of information using the CQU Harvard referencing style guide.
Week 7 Friday (30 Aug 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 9 Friday (13 Sept 2024)
Within 2 weeks of receipt of assignment.
Structure
Cover Page showing unit code and name, student name and number, date, assignment number, lecturer, and university. An interesting picture related to the assignment work (cite and reference source). Correctly formatted table of contents, including a page for figures and tables. Include page headers and footers. State the assignment question at the beginning of each answer to give context to your answers. Include a list of references at the end of the assignment.
Content
For calculation-based questions, ensure formulae and workings are shown in sufficient detail to clearly explain how the answer was derived. Include screenshots of spreadsheets as figures within the text of your response. Also, include a spreadsheet as a separate submission. Ensure formulae are included in the spreadsheets so that you can enter different values to check the sensitivity of the answer. Formulae included in the spreadsheet need to be accessible for marking. Answers should show correct units of measurement, e.g. (m, MN, m2, tonnes, m3, oC, etc.).
Where appropriate, include clearly labelled diagrams detailing such things as,
- the dimensions of equipment and excavations
- angles of slopes
- coal thickness and overburden dimensions
- shapes of underground openings
- geometry of samples
For descriptive answers, use clear, coherent sentences. Ensure photographs, pictures and diagrams are correctly labelled and introduced within the preceding text. Use in-text citations and correctly reference all sources of information. Please include at least one reference from a journal paper from the CQU library (do not reference it as a webpage). Use mining terminology correctly. A more detailed and specific marking criteria sheet will be available to download from within the assignment link on Moodle.
- Design openings, pillars and ground support for given situations in underground mining
- Analyse slope instabilities for given situations in surface mining operations
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
This assessment is designed to deepen your knowledge of the application of ground support, ground monitoring, and excavation design to mitigate the risk of ground failures in various mining situations. You will need to carefully review the material in the textbook and answer the questions in the assignment. This assignment will cover the unit's material detailed in weeks 7 to 12. A marking criteria sheet is also available in the assignment link. Use this sheet to check that you have addressed all the assignment requirements.
To achieve this, you will need to:
- Review the detailed assignment questions found in Moodle.
- Review relevant literature (textbooks, websites, etc.) to better understand the risks of ground failure associated with mine excavations.
- Research the primary literature to locate relevant current primary sources (scientific journal articles written in the last ten years)
- Complete the assignment questions in your own words that make effective use of the sources of information.
Your assignment should be produced electronically using Word and Excel documents. Submit your work through the assessment link on Moodle.
Note: All submissions are processed through the similarity detection software Turnitin. You must ensure all the work is your own, per University requirements. Correctly reference all sources of information using the CQU Harvard referencing style guide.
Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Exam Week Monday (14 Oct 2024)
Within 2 weeks of receipt of assignment.
Structure
Cover Page showing unit code and name, student name and number, date, assignment number, lecturer, and university. An interesting picture related to the assignment work (cite and reference source). Correctly formatted table of contents, including a page for figures and tables. Include page headers and footers. State the assignment question at the beginning of each answer to give context to your answers. Include a list of references at the end of the assignment.
Content
For calculation-based questions, ensure formulae and workings are shown in sufficient detail to clearly explain how the answer was derived. Include screenshots of spreadsheets as figures within the text of your response. Also, include a spreadsheet as a separate submission. Ensure formulae are included in the spreadsheets so that you can enter different values to check the sensitivity of the answer. Formulae included in the spreadsheet need to be accessible for marking. Answers should show correct units of measurement, e.g. (m, MN, m2, tonnes, m3, oC, etc.).
Where appropriate, include clearly labelled diagrams detailing such things as,
- the dimensions of equipment and excavations
- angles of slopes
- coal thickness and overburden dimensions
- shapes of underground openings
- geometry of samples
For descriptive answers, use clear, coherent sentences. Ensure photographs, pictures and diagrams are correctly labelled and introduced within the preceding text. Use in-text citations and correctly reference all sources of information. Please include at least one reference from a journal paper from the CQU library (do not reference it as a webpage). Use mining terminology correctly. A more detailed and specific marking criteria sheet will be available to download from within the assignment link on Moodle.
- Design openings, pillars and ground support for given situations in underground mining
- Describe subsidence associated with various mining methods and identify its potential impact on infrastructure and aquifers
- Analyse slope instabilities for given situations in surface mining operations
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
4 Practical Assessment
The practical assessment will consist of a laboratory session or a visit to a mine site. The timing of the residential school will depend on the availability of a mine site visit. The laboratory session will be held during vacation week if a mine visit is not possible.
Part 1. Students will complete a laboratory session using a point-load rock testing machine and following a worksheet.
Part 2. Students will present their findings from their laboratory session to other students and available staff.
Alternatively, students visiting mine sites will present a rock engineering issue from the mine site to other students and available staff.
Week 7 Friday (30 Aug 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
This assessment will be presented during the residential school.
Week 8 Friday (6 Sept 2024)
Within 2 weeks of the assessment submission.
Students will be assessed on their ability to,
- work as part of a team
- Comply with instructions from the mine site or laboratory personnel.
- Demonstrate an understanding of rock mechanics.
- Participate in risk assessment discussions.
- Present their findings
- Apply various methods of rock testing to determine the relevant design properties of specific rock types
- Demonstrate professional levels of teamwork and communication to support collaborative peer group learning.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
5 Portfolio
The objectives of developing a learning portfolio include,
1. Provide the student with an opportunity to reflect on their learning.
2. Record work and reading not presented or assessed as part of the submitted assignments.
3. Provide students with an opportunity to discuss their learning experiences online.
4. Provide students with an opportunity to record and demonstrate evidence of all the learning outcomes detailed for this unit, particularly teamwork, cultural sensitivity and ethical values.
The learning portfolio will consist of two components,
i) a study diary, including reflections on learning
ii) evidence of learning outcomes.
A learning portfolio template will be available in the assignment link on Moodle. Detailed examples explaining what must be recorded in each element of the learning portfolio will also be available on Moodle.
Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Submit an update of the learning portfolio as a separate document with each of the three assignments.
Exam Week Friday (18 Oct 2024)
Within 2 weeks of assessment submission.
The assessment criteria for your learning portfolio will include,
- regular weekly entries in the study diary
- written entries about how the learning outcomes have been met
- records of interactions that seem relevant to this unit,
Interactions may be with the lecturer, other students or work colleagues. Interactions may be Zoom sessions, telephone conversations, emails, blog postings, or face-to-face meetings. Submit updates to the learning portfolio with each assignment submission. Achieving a Pass for this assessment requires some evidence recorded against each learning outcome.
- Demonstrate professional levels of teamwork and communication to support collaborative peer group learning.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
