Course Description
This course is an introduction to the mineral exploration and mining industries. Topics include techniques used in exploration, reserve estimation, mining methods, indigenous consultation, environmental assessment, and the mine cycle (from reconnaissance prospecting to mine closure and reclamation). Field trips may be required. These field trips may take place outside of scheduled class hours.
Course Content
- Mineral economics and industry structure, including types of companies, financial markets, commodities and economic cycles
- Exploration methods, including prospecting, rock sampling, geochemistry, geophysics and drilling
- Exploration tenure and access, mineral claims, guidelines and regulations
- Mine cycle, from reconnaissance to development
- Evaluation of advanced mineral exploration properties, resource/reserve estimation and mine project feasibility
- Mining methods and technology for underground, open pit and solution mining
- Mineral processing
- Health and safety in and around mine sites
- Environmental impacts, assessments and permitting
- Mine closure and reclamation
- Indigenous and social relations and consultation
- Case studies of mineral exploration and mining projects
Learning Activities
Lectures and labs. Occasional field trips may be required.
Means of Assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
Assignments and labs: 20-40%
Lab exams: 0-25%
Project(s): 10-30%
Term tests and quizzes: 20-40%
Final exam: 25-30%
Total: 100%
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- discuss the economic and industrial factors that affect exploration and mining;
- describe major types of mineral deposits and the exploration methods used to identify them;
- describe the stages of the exploration process and the mine cycle;
- describe and use appropriate sampling methods to collect soil and rock samples;
- use geochemical and geophysical data to identify possible drill targets;
- identify exploration safety risks and prepare an emergency response plan;
- describe the process of gaining tenure and access to an exploration property;
- describe best practices for engagement with Indigenous groups;
- prepare maps and cross-sections to display exploration information;
- calculate a simplified reserve estimate;
- describe mining methods and technologies for extracting and processing minerals;
- explain geological tasks in a mine or exploration property, including mapping and core logging;
- discuss environmental concerns and mitigation strategies used in exploration and mining.
Textbook Materials
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
- Stevens, R. Mineral Exploration and Mining Essentials. Pakawau GeoManagement Inc., current edition.
- Moon, C.J., Whately, K.G., Evans, A.M. Introduction to Mineral Exploration. Blackwell Publishing, current edition.