These 2 one-day courses offer non-miners a sound fundamental knowledge of the mine cycle – from exploration through to mine closure.
DAY 1 on 14 March
Mining and Geology Fundamentals for Non-Miners
Presenter: Mark Drabble – Principal Consultant
This 1-day course has been specifically designed for non-miners working, investing, financing or associated with the mining industry – who need to understand the key fundamentals about the mine cycle. The course takes you from exploration through to mine closure.
You will learn about: the key geology concepts; drilling and sampling; resource estimation and classification; how a mining company takes a project through to a mining reserve; how to interpret company reports on their mineral resources and exploration results; the mining cycle for underground and open pit mines; the basics of capital and operating costs and how they are incorporated into project valuation; pre-feasibility and feasibility studies; mine planning to optimise production; mine closure; and of course the key terminology of the mining industry.
The course attendees will:
- Gain a greater understanding of the entire mine cycle
- Learn about the operational practices of the mining industry
- Understand and interpret the frequently used terminology
- Have a clear understanding of the key fundamentals and concepts of geology and mining
- Appreciate the importance of drilling and sampling
- Learn about resource estimation, classification and the writing of the reports according to the reporting codes
- How to understand and interpret company reports
- Learn about the different mining methods and understand the principles of mine design and planning
- Learn about the basics of capital and operational costs and how they are incorporated into project valuation
- Gain an understanding of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies
- Learn about mine closure and rehabilitation
Attendee Feedback
“Very educative course, would highly recommend to others.”
“It was all explained very well. Presenter made it all clear and understandable, especially for people not heavily involved in direct mining. Gives a broader understanding of all aspects of mining.”
“I thought it was a great introduction to mining course which gave a good overview of all the topics.”
“A comprehensive course, well presented. Good content. Thanks!”
Book Online HERE
DAY 2 on 15 March
Understanding Mineral Processing for Non-Metallurgists
Presenter: Dr Leon Lorenzen – Executive Consultant
This 1-day course has been especially designed for engineers, geologists, mineralogists, environmental scientists, plant operators, marketers, financial advisors and anyone who either deals with mineral processing (extractive metallurgy) or would like a better understanding of the principles of extractive metallurgy.
The course looks at the science of mineral processing from a non-metallurgist’s point of view. It explores principles of geology, mineralogy, chemistry, mineral processing and economics as they apply to mineral processing unit operations and explains in simple terms, from how metal is geologically detected, extracted from various rocks and minerals to the final metal product.
The course provides an overview of extractive metallurgical principles in the design and operation of process plants but also discusses issues such as metallurgical testwork, metallurgical accounting, environmental management and other common aspects of practical extractive metallurgy.
Course content:
- Mineral Processes: Mineralogy – Geometallurgy – Ore Terminology- Types of Minerals- Ore Processing – Comminution – Particle Technology – Transport and Storage – Mineral Beneficiation and Extraction – Separation and Classification Processes (Dry and Wet) – Chemical Processes – Hydrometallurgy -Thermal Processes – Pyrometallurgy – Purification and Recovery Processes – Environmental Management
- Schematic Flow Diagram of Mineral Processing
- Ore Preparation Unit Operations: Discussion/Examples and Animations
- Ore Processing/Ore Size Reduction: Crushing – Milling – Various – Comminution
- Particle Technology: Stockpiling – Sorting – Size Separation – Screens and Grizzlies – Feeding – Conveying Storage – Cleaning – Thickening – Filtering Drying – Pollution Control
- Metal Production
Mineral Beneficiation and Extraction: Separation and Classification Processes (Dry and Wet) – Physical – Gravity and Density (wet and dry) – Jigs – Cyclones – Heavy Medium Separation – Physical Processes (wet and dry) – Flotation (Process, Circuits and Surface Chemistry) Magnetic and Electrostatic Separation
Chemical Processes (Hydrometallurgy): Leaching – Chemistry and Reaction Kinetics – Leaching Processes – Counter Current Decantation and Washing – Solution Concentration and Purification – Cementation and Precipitation – Solvent Extraction (SX) – Activated Carbon (CIL and CIP) – Ion Exchange (RIP) – Metal Production – Electrowinning – Typical Flowsheets
Thermal Processes (Pyrometallurgy): Pyrometallurgical Pre- Treatment Processes – Roasting – Calcination – Drying; Smelting – Converting – Refining - Process Specific Flowsheet and Optimisation Section (For example Gold, BMS, PGM, Iron Ore, etc. specific) – Process Flowsheet – Process Optimisation
- Environmental Management: Environmental Risks – Baseline Assessments, Approvals and Compliance – Tailings Disposal – Water Pollution – Dust Control
- Metal Accounting and Costs: Metallurgical Accounting – Basic Principles – Operating Costs – Fixed/Variable relationships – Components (labour, stores, power, overheads etc).- Capital Costs – Components (direct, indirect and contingencies) – Accuracy & precision – Estimation (scaling, 2/3 rule)
- Typical processes for Major Commodities
- Metal and Mineral final products and applications
Attendee Feedback
“Great course. Very informative. Now understand better. Good notes!”
“Explained all aspects of different methods very well. Content was understood and explained very well.”
“All parts extremely informative. Really good, and excellent course presenter.”
“Great presenter. Great course notes book. Lots of diagrams and photos to supplement text slides – very useful.”
“Dr Leon Lorenzen is a great speaker; lots of positive energy. A pleasure to learn from. Also, the Optiro environment in the office is extremely pleasant.”
