ENER20002 Term 1 Mining Engineering Assignment Solution

This assignment solution addresses key concepts in mining engineering, beginning with definitions of prospecting and exploration, along with their objectives. It then outlines strategies for locating and acquiring economically viable gold deposits, including the acquisition of exploration certificates, geological anomaly location via airborne surveys, and drilling to determine mineral depth. The solution also presents a table detailing operative mine sites across various Australian states and territories, including shareholding companies, geological settings, ore-bearing rock types, commercial uses, and information sources. Furthermore, the assignment defines environmental considerations, emphasizing the importance of environmental legislation and impact assessments. The solution also explains the role of a 'Competent Person' in relation to JORC compliance and the responsibilities of engineering geologists, including site investigations, data collation, and participation in site management.

MINING ENGINEERING SYSTEMS AND LEGISLATION
By Name
Course
Instructor
Institution
Location
Date

Question 1
Part a
“Prospecting” and “exploration”
Prospecting refers to the initial phases of geological analysis of a specific site or territory. This is
actually the physical search for the fossils, minerals, mineral specimen, precious metals, etc. This
process is also known as fossicking. By contrast, the activities of the exploration are more
intrusive and involve the use of heavy machinery for the processes of drilling, blasting, and
building.
Part b
Objectives of exploration
The exploration exercise must always seek at least there categories of the information and they
include:
In the case of the delineation of the physically minable sites:
 Obtaining comprehensive information in regard to the topography(McLennan, Becken,
and Moyle 2017)
 Collecting information in regard to the distribution of craters that are unminable and
other properties of the unminable.
 Collecting information regarding the ejecta distribution with the blocks of the rocks
which may be too large for handling by the system of mining.
For the purposes of tonnage estimation and minable regolith grading

 Seeks to establish the thickness of the regolith
 Determination of the content of various gases.
In the case of the determination of the percentages of the recoverable gases
 Determination of the applicability of particular systems of mining
 Determination of the applicability of the beneficiation and sizing
 Determination of the recovery percentages as per the heat processing of the regolith.
Part c
The goal of the strategy is to assist in the identification of the gold deposits that has the potential
for the development in the future as a mineral reserve that will ultimately lead to the gold
production considering that the areas are viable for the gold production. The strategy will
include:
i. Acquisition of the exploration certificate and date review
ii. Location of the geological anomalies so as to obtain the initial indication of
mineralization by the use of the airborne survey.
iii. This is followed by electric-magnetic surveys and soil sampling
iv. Trenching so as to evaluate the surface anomalies and subsequent analysis of the samples
v. In case the analysis of the samples indicate the presence of gold, the next step will
involve drilling so as to determine the depth of the mineral
vi. Once the process of exploration is completed, the deposits will be evaluated to determine
the existence of the technical and economic preconditions for mining to start.

State Shareholding
Company
Geological
setting
Ore-bearing
Rock
Commercial
value
Source
Queensland Kokatha
Aboriginal
Corporation
Station of
Oakden
Hills.
Brecciated
Granite
The site is
known for the
mining of gold
and copper that
is sold for
foreign
exchange.
Measham
et al.
2013
Victoria
Kirkland Lake
Gold
Limited
Bendigo,
State of
Victoria,
Australia
Orogenic Gold Gold is used to
facilitate
trading
activities.
Measham
et al.
2013
New South
Wales
China
Molybdenum Co
Ltd
Northparkes
(Goonumbla)
calaverite Gold is used as
a source of
foreign
exchange.
Measham
et al..
2013
Western
Australia
Gold Fields Darlot-
Centenary
Gold
Mine(Darlot
Calaverite(Gold) Trading
activities.
Making
jewellery.
Measham
et al
2013
South
Australia
The Gallardo
Mining Company
Kadina on
the Yorke
Copper ore Trading
activities,
Measham
et al.

Peninsula manufacture of
equipment.
2013
Tasmania BCD Resources. Northern
Tasmania
Calaverite(Gold) Making of
jewelry
Trading
activities
Measham
et al
2013
Northern
Territory
Gold Fields Bendigo,
State of
Victoria,
Australia
Calaverite(Gold) Making of
jewelry
Trading
activities
Measham
et al.
2013
Question 3 (20 marks)
The Great Barrier Reef: The Great Barrier reef is considered to be one of the global icon as well
as important Australian social, economic and environmental asset that is valued at $56 billion,
This p[articular feature hosts a delicate and complex balanced system of the environment in
Australia.
National Pak: This refers to a protected area hosting flora and fauna in their natural habits. These
areas are normally protected to ensure that human influence is properly controlled(Zhang, and
Moffat 2015).

Cultural Sites: These are regarded as the areas that have unique traditional custom features
considered as the country’s heritage. These may include buildings or even specific places and
features of landmark where traditional cultural activities are carried out.
Endangered species: This refers to the specific type of animal or plants that are almost facing
extinction as a result of the changes in the environmental set especially climate. These species
have had their numbers greatly reduced and therefore a lot of attention is given to the rare
existing species.
Artesian water is usually in the form of a spring or well whose distribution is rare. The
conditions in such places are such that the groundwater is under the pressure that allows it to
naturally rise above the ground. The points at which the groundwater emerges to the surface are
known as springs.
The proper concern to the environment will be regarded as one of the fundamental elements in
order to have successful processes. The company will incorporate all the matters of the
environment as a crucial part of the long term and short planning.
Participation in the development of environmental legislation, complying will all the applicable
laws and regulations as prescribed. Promotion and implementation of the practices that enhances
environmental protection. Finally, there will be a need for a regular report on the environmental
impact assessment.
Question 4
A ‘Competent Person’ refers to the individual or that person who is actually a fellow or member
of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He/she can be a member of ‘Recognized

Overseas Professional Organization’ (‘ROPO’ as included in the list of promulgation from time
to time or a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.A ‘Competent Person’ is
expected to have a minimum experience of five years that should also be relevant to the
mineralization style and mineral deposit types which are under consideration as well as the
activity which the person is carrying out(Fleming and Measham 2014).
The results from the exploration program will be considered JORC compliant if they contain
sufficient information that allows for consideration and balanced judgment of their significance.
The report should, therefore, include the information or data that is related to the context of
exploration, method, and type of sampling, intervals of sampling and methods, distribution,
relevant locations of the samples, land tenure status and methods of data aggregation. The report
that is attached must include the name of the firm, person or employer as dictated in clause 8 of
the code(O'faircheallaigh 2017).
As a general guide, the individual who is being called upon to serve in the capacity of the
competent person should be satisfied clearly in their minds it is possible to face their peers and
have this demonstration of the competence illustrated in terms of the deposits types as well as the
situation that is being considered. It is recommended that the person seeks an opinion from the
appropriately experienced workmates in case he/she is in doubt or otherwise decline to act as a
competent person.
Question 5
Role of the geologists
The application of geology to the study of engineering is basically referred to as engineering
geology. Actually, the purpose of studying this coursed is to ensure that the factors of geology

which are connected to the design, location, construction, maintenance, and operation are
properly recognized and accounted for(Zhang, et al.2015). An engineering geologist is required
to use the detailed technical analysis of the soil, groundwater, rocks and other natural conditions
as well as assessment of the risk of the geological hazards in the determination of the site
construction developments(Eklund 2015). The geologists also identify the factors of geology
before working as an advisor to the private or public mining companies. In such operations of the
planning, the geologist will assist in the site analysis and in the design of developments which
are considered to be environmentally sensitive including the landfill sites. The landfill sites are
commonly used by the mining industries to dispose of the excavated content during the process
of mining. This will go along ensuring that the structure that is being used is safe and strong for
both long term and short term uses.
Responsibilities
 Visits new sites of the projects
 Supervise ground and site investigations
 Plan detailed investigation of the fields through analysis and drilling of the sample rock
deposits and bedrocks
 He/she oversee the progress of certain contracts
 Collation of data and report production
 Test arrange of materials for the construction including bricks, clay, and gravel.
 Make recommendations on the proposed site use
 Advice on the possible or related problems such as subsidence
 Participate in the management of the staff including other engineering geologists,
consultants, contractors, and geotechnical engineers.

 Attend conferences of the professionals as well as representing the organization or the
company in other important events.
In the wider view, the geologist will consult both geological maps and aerial maps or
photographs to regularly advise on the changes in regard to the selection of the site. He/she will,
therefore, provide this anal used map as well as the design of the built structures done by the
computer software as part of planning to the mining company.

References
Eklund, E., 2015. Mining in Australia: a historical survey of the industry–community
relationships. The Extractive Industries and Society, 2(1), pp.177-188.
Fleming, D.A. and Measham, T.G., 2014. Local job multipliers of mining. Resources Policy, 41,
pp.9-15.
McLennan, C.L.J., Becken, S. and Moyle, B.D., 2017. Framing in a contested space: media
reporting on tourism and mining in Australia. Current Issues in Tourism, 20(9), pp.960-980.
Measham, T.G., Haslam Mckenzie, F., Moffat, K. and Franks, D.M., 2013. An expanded role for
the mining sector in Australian society?. Rural Society, 22(2), pp.184-194.
O'faircheallaigh, C., 2017. Mining and development: foreign-financed mines in Australia,
Ireland, Papua New Guinea, and Zambia. Routledge.
Zhang, A. and Moffat, K., 2015. A balancing act: The role of benefits, impacts, and confidence
in governance in predicting acceptance of mining in Australia. Resources Policy, 44, pp.25-34.
Zhang, A., Moffat, K., Lacey, J., Wang, J., González, R., Uribe, K., Cui, L. and Dai, Y., 2015.
Understanding the social license to operate of mining at the national scale: a comparative study
of Australia, China, and Chile. Journal of Cleaner Production, 108, pp.1063-1072.