Mineral Processing and Sustainable Exploration and Mining
Objectives
Provide students technical and practical concepts of mining and processing of ores, with emphasis on metallic ores and special sands, namely, choosing the most appropriate techniques, equipment’s and procedures, and environmental impacts. Students will be able to integrate team-works concerning the execution of technical mining projects, as well as to integrate the teams of monitoring and optimization of processes and preparation of environmental impact studies. Learn mining exploration techniques and methodologies. Learn the steps and activities in an exploration and mining project. Mining project development, environmental impact assessment and licensing of exploration and mining projects.
General characterization
Code
12340
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
José António de Almeida, Pedro Calé da Cunha Lamas
Hours
Weekly - 5
Total - 70
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
None.
Bibliography
Lowrie, R. L. (2002) SME Mining Reference Handbook, SME.
Fuerstenau, M.C. & Han, K.N. (2003) Principles of Mineral Processing, SME.
Wills, B.A. & Napier-Munn, T. (2015) Wills’ Mineral Processing Technology, 8th Edition: An Introduction to the Practical Aspects of Ore Treatment and Mineral Recovery, Butterworth-Heinemann.
Darling, P. (2011) SME Mining Engineering Handbook, Third Edition, Volumes 1 & 2 3rd Edition, SME.
King, R.P. (2001) Modelling and Simulation of Mineral Processing Systems, Elsevier. W. C.
Peters (1988) - Exploration and Mining Geology. 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons.
R. Marjoribanks (1997) - Geological Methods in Mineral Exploration and Mining. Chapman & Hall.
S. Haldar (2013) - Mineral Exploration, Principles and Applications, 1st Edition, Elsevier
Teaching method
Teaching is provided by theoretical sessions and practical lab sessions where it is presented technical concepts whenever possible with documented examples and solves quantitative problems. Two field trips are planned in each edition, one of special sands and another one of metallic ores. All information and presentations are available on the Web (CLIP). Real problems related with exploration and prospecting methods, distinct mining examples and its related technologies and specific equipment will be presented. Examples of EIA and IA Proceeding for exploration and mining projects will be presented and discussed.
Evaluation method
The accessment is of a continuous type, but it can also be done through a final exam. In the continuous assessment mode, students take two tests with theoretical and practical components. The first test is midway through the semester, and the second is after the classes end. Additionally, they present a final project on a mine or a primary raw-material. The theoretical component of the tests (1 hour) consists of a questionnaire with 20 short-answer or multiple-choice questions, and it is done without any reference materials. The practical component of the test (1 hour) involves solving a problem and is open-book. The final project is submitted individually and comprises a report in the form of an article with up to 6 pages and a 15-minute presentation in a joint session. The tests are worth 30% each (15% theoretical and 15% practical), while the practical project and presentation are worth 40% of the grade.
In the case of a final exam, it is possible to retake the test component for either grade improvement or passing the course.
Subject matter
Mining and mineral processing objectives. Mineralogical images and image processing. Liberation size. Physical and geomechanical properties of rocks for mineral processing and separation / concentration. Unit operations of liberation and separation. Comminution. Mechanical screening. Technologies and equipment’s for screening. Technologies and equipment’s for separation. Circuits of comminution-screening. Circuits of separation. Transport of solids and sludge. Decantation. Flocculation. Mass balance. Recovery indexes. Consumption of energy and water. Tailings dams. Environmental impacts. Techniques and stages of mining. Samples, pathfinders and equipment. Project and well logging techniques in exploration. Environmental impact in concessions. Life cycle of a mine and mining infrastructures. Methods of excavation and mineral extraction. Excavation and blasting. Mine closure.