ENAR12014 - Introduction to Mining Technology

General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the improved sustainability, safety and productivity achieved in mining through the use of new technologies. You will learn about different types of sensors used to collect data from mining equipment and how that data can be collected and analysed. You will investigate the development and optimisation of mine designs using technology developed for Australian mining operations. There will be a particular focus on data collection and analysis, blast design and truck and shovel operations. You will use online forums, tutorials and learning journals to demonstrate effective and professional levels of collaboration and communication.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 2
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites There are no pre-requisites for the 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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School No Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 3 - 2024

Term 1 - 2025 Profile
Online

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).

Assessment Overview

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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Written Assessment 20%
2. Written Assessment 30%
3. Report 40%
4. Portfolio 10%

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

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 1 - 2022 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 33.33% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 25% response rate.

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.

Source: Discussions with industry personnel
Feedback
Update blasting design
Recommendation
Include Orica and Dyno blasting course content and information on how to initiate blasts.
Action Taken
The Orica Safe and Efficient Blasting course wasn't run until after the unit had been delivered. Content will be updated in Term 1 2023.
Source: Self-reflection
Feedback
Update assessment.
Recommendation
Include the development of a spreadsheet assessment item with guidelines to address the new content in the blasting component of the unit.
Action Taken
Spreadsheet calculation was included in one assessment item on blasting.
Source: Self-reflection
Feedback
Include an introduction to basic ventilation calculations for underground mines.
Recommendation
Include content on underground ventilation surveys and how to calculate airflow and airway resistance.
Action Taken
This was not completed but will be included in the restructuring of the unit to address useful learning materials, knowledge and skills shortfalls.
Source: Self-reflection
Feedback
Update assessment item for ventilation
Recommendation
Include a question in the assignments on a simple ventilation network.
Action Taken
This was not completed but will form part of the review of the unit to address the proposed ventilation content.
Source: Student feedback and self reflection.
Feedback
Include updated blasting content.
Recommendation
Update safe and efficient blasting content based on industry best practices.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: Student feedback and self assessment.
Feedback
Include updated ventilation content and assessment.
Recommendation
Update ventilation measurements and calculations content and include them in the appropriate assessment items.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: Student feedback and self assessment.
Feedback
Improve the organisation of the course content.
Recommendation
Scaffold the updated learning material to improve the student's ability to build their knowledge of mining methods and the more technical aspects of blasting and ventilation.
Action Taken
In Progress
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Evaluate the impact of technology on sustainability, safety and productivity in Australian mining
  2. Investigate a data collection system for monitoring the performance of mining equipment
  3. Apply given parameters to develop a drill and blast pattern for a coal or metalliferous deposit in a surface mining operation
  4. Optimise truck and shovel operations in relation to surface mine layouts using appropriate software
  5. Collaborate and communicate with lecturers and peers through the use of forums, learning journals and online tutorials.

Learning Outcomes 1 and 2 have been specifically written to address the requirements of the Minerals Council of Australia. The Council has asked for the inclusion of content that covers sustainability, data collection and analysis and automation as part of a course that will develop learning pathways to the modern mining sector.

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
2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. (LO: 1N 3N 4N)
2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. (LO: 2N 3N 4N)
2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects. (LO: 4N)
3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability. (LO: 5N)
3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour. (LO: 1N 2N 4N 5N)
3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct. (LO: 5N)
Intermediate
1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. (LO: 1N 3I 4N)
1.2 Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 3I 4N)
1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 2N 3N 4I)
1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 2N 3N 4I)
1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 3I 4I)
1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline. (LO: 1I 2N 3I)
2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. (LO: 2N 3N 4I)
3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. (LO: 1I 2N 3I 4N 5N)
3.4 Professional use and management of information. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4I 5N)

Note: LO refers to the Learning Outcome number(s) which link to the competency and the levels: N – Introductory, I – Intermediate and A - Advanced.
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 https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/course/view.php?id=1511

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Written Assessment • •
2 - Written Assessment •
3 - Report •
4 - Portfolio •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
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 • •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10