Page 199 - IMPC Education Book_low res

A ROADMAP FOR MINERALS PROCESSING EDUCATION

w Overall process optimization from orebody to product is achieved
through assessment and appropriate integration of all operations in
the overall process

Whilst the aims of the fourth year course are to enable students to (https://
www.uq.edu.au/study/course.html?course_code=MINE3211):
w Deconstruct and critically analyse process performance in grinding,
classification and flotation in a mineralogical context.
w Constructively engage with problem solving activities in a team
environment.

The learning objectives for this course include:
w Plan a metallurgical survey that follows industry best practice by:
obeying relevant sampling rules, using Gy’s sampling theory to
determine the minimum sample mass required and selecting the
most appropriate sampling equipment.
w Conduct a mass balance for solids, elements, minerals and water and
use this to diagnose the circuit performance.
w Conduct a mass balance for solids, elements, minerals and water and
use this to diagnose the circuit performance.
w Examine a number of different unit operations within a circuit and
use mineralogical data to calculate their performance with respect
to the valuable minerals and other minor minerals which may impact
downstream processes.
w Assess the implications of an ore change to the entire circuit e.g. how
throughput impacts separability and the implications for smelting
and tailings disposal.
w Diagnose the cause of changes in circuit performance (i.e. ore or
process), recommend and justify mitigating action.

By putting these courses in place within the Chemical and Metallurgical
Engineering program the University of Queensland is working towards
addressing the knowledge gap in process mineralogy at the undergraduate
level. The courses have been designed to provide an environment that

Developing and Sustaining Capability 187
in Process Mineralogy