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 - 2025
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
Review course content to ensure it provides the most relevant material suitable for assignments and progress through the unit.
Structure course content to scaffold learning.
- 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 - 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 | |
| 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.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- CQUniversity Library
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
x.yang@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Unit Introduction
Rock characterisation for rock mechanics design
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial for rock characterisation
Module/Topic
Compressive, tensile and shear strength of rocks
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial for rock strength
Module/Topic
Time-dependent behavior and index properties of rocks
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial for time-dependent behavior
Assignment 1 Due: Friday, Week 3, 1 August 2025 at 11:59 pm AEST
Assessment 1 Due: Week 3 Friday (1 Aug 2025) 10:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Measurement and Analysis of stresses in rock
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial for measurement and analysis of stresses in rock
Module/Topic
Geomechanics instrumentation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial for geomechanics instrumentation
Assessment 4 - (Practical Residential School (Pass/fail) - Week 5, 12-13 August 2025
Assessment 4 Due: Week 5 Friday (15 Aug 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
N/A
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
The residential school will involve a lab session run on the Mackay Ooralea campus or the Rockhampton North campus, depending on staff availability.
Module/Topic
Engineering classification of rock masses
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial for engineering classification of rock masses
Module/Topic
Design of structures in rock
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial for design of structures in rock
Assignment 2 Due: Friday, Week 7, 5 September 2025 at 11:59 pm AEST
Assessment 2 Due: Week 7 Friday (5 Sept 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Stability of underground openings
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial for stability of underground openings
Module/Topic
Design and stability of pillars and associated structures
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial for design and stability of pillars and associated structures
Module/Topic
Mine Support, mine subsidence and application of geomechanics
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial for mine Support, mine subsidence and application of geomechanics
Module/Topic
Slope stability
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial for slope stability
Module/Topic
Unit review
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Final Tutorial
Assignment 3 Due: Friday, Week 12, 10 October 2025 at 11:59 pm AEST
Assessment 3 Due: Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Learning Portfolio Due: Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:59 am AEST
Module/Topic
N/A
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
N/A
Module/Topic
N/A
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
N/A
1 Written Assessment
Writing assignment. This assessment item relates to the learning outcome. Apply various methods of rock testing to determine the relevant design properties of specific rock types. You may use Al for planning, idea development, research and information review. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 3 Friday (1 Aug 2025) 10:59 pm AEST
Online submission
Week 4 Friday (8 Aug 2025)
Marking rubric will be provided for each question.
- 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
Writing assignment. This assessment item relates to the learning outcome. Apply the data analysis method to determine the rock properties. You may use Al for planning, idea development, research and information review. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 7 Friday (5 Sept 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Online submission
Week 8 Friday (12 Sept 2025)
Provide the correct answer and unit. Marking will depend on the answer and calculation process.
- 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
Use clear, coherent sentences to explain the mining design questions. Use mining terminology correctly. Do not directly copy the answers from the study guide or textbook. You may use Al for planning, idea development, research and information review. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Online submission
Review/Exam Week Friday (17 Oct 2025)
Write all the answers in your own words. Marks are deducted for poorly organised or poorly explained solutions.
- 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
Practical Residential School (Pass/fail). Attend the residential school and upload the practical question solution. You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Week 5 Friday (15 Aug 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
In person presentation
Vacation Week Friday (22 Aug 2025)
Presentation and submission online
- 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
You must submit a learning portfolio with each assignment to pass this unit.
Select the unit profile option under the Information drop-down menu at the top of the unit page.
Review the Assessment Task section for the Learning Portfolio.
You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:59 am AEST
Online submission
Review/Exam Week Friday (17 Oct 2025)
1. Make regular weekly entries in the study diary.
2. Collect and record evidence of how the learning outcomes for this unit have been met.
o Write up reflections on what has been learnt from each assignment.
o Record interactions that seem relevant to this unit. Interactions may be with the lecturer, other students and work colleagues. Interactions may be Zoom tutorial sessions, telephone conversations, emails, postings on blogs or, face to face meetings.
3. Submit updates of the learning portfolio with each assignment submission.
- 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?
