The University of New South Wales

go to UNSW home page

Undergraduate Handbook

PRINT THIS PAGE
Mineral Processing - MINE3800
 Students studying

   
   
   
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 3
 
 
EFTSL: 0.06250 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Fee Band: 2 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
  

Description

Minerals Engineering is the link between mining and the utilisation of mineral resources, and is a key operation in the minerals industry. By a combination of breakage, sizing, separation, and dewatering processes, valuable components in mined material are concentrated into products suitable for subsequent hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical processing or direct utilisation. Minerals engineering processes are applied in the treatment of precious metal and gemstone deposits, base metal ores, heavy mineral beach sands, coal, and industrial minerals such as clays and aggregates. This introductory course provides a description of the principal unit processes and their applicability, and of the mineral properties and characteristics of mined materials on which they are based. On completion, you will be able to carry out calculations relating to the characterisation of mined materials, carry out materials balance calculations for simple mineral processing circuits, and nominate appropriate processes for their beneficiation. For many of those processes you will also be able to determine equipment sizes for specified duties. Topics include: Rocks, minerals and ores. Grades, recoveries. Materials balances. Liberation. Comminution (crushing and grinding). Screening. Size classification. Dry and water-based separation processes. Dense media separation. Surface properties of liquids and solids. Froth flotation. Leaching processes. Screens and centrifuges. Flocculation and thickening. Filtration. Tailings disposal. A series of laboratory investigations forms part of the course.

Assumed Knowledge: PHYS1169, CHEM1817, MINE2500 (or equivalents)

URL for this page:

© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.