From exploration target to mine closure: The minerals lifecycle (a foundation course) 1

The exploration, evaluation, valuation and reporting of mineral deposits is a process shaped by local and global economic, social and political variables, forces and actors rather than only by technology and the geology, metallogeny, physical and chemical properties of ores and mineral deposits.

Programme

Course description

This foundation course is an introduction to the forces shaping and the life cycle of the mineral projects – from the exploration target stage to evaluation, mining and processing, tailings management and mine restart or final mine closure.

The course is divided into nine chapters: 1 – Current Trends and New Frontiers, 2 – Markets, 3 – Society and Sustainable development, 4 – Exploration, 5 – (E)Valuation, 6 – Mining, 7 – Processing, 8 – Circular Economy and 9 – Mine Closure or Starting Over.

This online course can be taken in isolation or as an introduction to other courses, online – Natural, Social And Economic Forces Shaping The Mineral Industry – or presential, such as:

• Exploration, (E)Valuation And Reporting Of Mineral Deposits,
• Valuation And Reporting Of Mineral Assets,
• Reporting in the Mineral Industry – Resources & reserves, Asset valuation, Sustainability & Social Responsibility,
• Corporate Social Responsibility – A Life-Cycle Assessment from Prospect to Closure and
• Raw Materials and Energy in the XXI Century and Beyond A Big Data and Data Science Drive.

Course contents

This is an introductory course with nine chapters and eight modules during eight weeks:

• Week 1: Chapters 1 – Current Trends and New Frontiers, 2 – Markets and 3 – Society and Sustainable development.
• Week 2: Chapter 4 – Exploration,
• Week 3: Chapter 5 – (E)Valuation,
• Week 4: Chapter 6 – Mining,
• Week 5: Chapter 6 – Mining (continued).
• Week 6: Chapter 7 – Processing,
• Week 7: Chapter 8 – Circular Economy
• Week 8: Chapter 9 – Mine Closure or Starting Over.

The course is designed for a weekly time investment of 1,5 hours. Naturally, should the participant wish to further study reading the selected bibliography made available and participating in forum discussions (see above) – which we recommend, as it is an opportunity to learn from their peers, the time investment is higher. This is, however, flexible and entirely optional.

Type of training

This course is designed as distance-learning. It is organized in modules along eight weeks. Each module includes:

• Pre-recorded video materials and quizzes – for independent learning.
• Selected bibliography – for independent learning.
• A one-hour live webinar, including the presentation and discussion of the module topics.

The course will also have a dedicated LinkedIn group for course follow-up, exchange and discussion of ideas and course topics.

Objectives and outcomes

After the course participants will have a wide range knowledge of the structure and organization of the mineral industry, and the science, technologies and processes used in the sequential steps to develop a mineral deposit (including mine closure).

Participants will also be aware of the forces shaping the mineral industry, be they economic, social, technological or environmental and of the main challenges it faces in the XXI century.

Partcipants will be able to integrate the new knowledge on the raw materials industry into their decision-making, policy-design or reporting process.

Language

English

Requirements

Participants would require their own laptop and a stable high-speed internet connection to take part in this course.

Target Group

The course’s intended audience includes anyone interested in the raw materials industry but who does not have a formal background in the area or anyone with specialized knowledge in the field but wanting to have a widescope current overview of the industry:

• Managers of financial institutions and funds,
• Potential investors in raw materials projects,
• Officials from government (local, state and federal) agencies and institutions.
• Members of environmental and responsible sourcing NGOs.
• Media professionals covering the mineral industry.
• Graduate and post-graduate geology, mining, mineral processing and metallurgy students.
• Managers of mining and exploration companies.