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Principles and practices of engineering geology and environmental management associated with mining activities.
Engineering Geology as a discipline is concerned with site and foundation conditions, geological and geotechnical hazards affecting a particular development, and availability of construction materials. All civil and mining projects impact on the natural environment, and concern for sustainable development requires careful consideration and the mitigation of negative effects of projects. Conventional civil site investigation practice involves evaluation using invasive techniques (drilling; trenching; etc), and can benefit from the use of non-invasive geophysical methods to provide additional site data. Mining operations and their environmental impacts require careful consideration of the landscape, and of the geochemical effects associated with ore recovery, processing and waste management.GEOL338 develops the basics of site investigation practice, and extends into rock mechanics studies for surface and underground projects. Specific applications of engineering geology to mining geotechnics and related environmental management are then developed, with a series of case studies to conclude the course. The course is focused on practical solutions to engineering issues. Students completing the course will have a sound understanding of principles and practices in both engineering and environmental geology, and will have necessary background for postgraduate study in Engineering Geology or Environmental Science.
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:Test and analyse fundamental of rock mechanics properties for surface and underground projects.Use rock mechanics properties to determine rock mass behaviour for civil construction and mining practice.Utilise site investigation techniques for civil engineering projects.Test and analyse the source and occurrence of acid mine/rock drainage and how to mitigate it in a mining engineering environment Assess and investigate environmental management issues associated with civil and mining engineering.
GEOL242 and 15 points from GEOL243-245
For further information see Geological Sciences Head of Department
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Summary of the Course ContentThe topics coved by this course are:• Intact rock properties and field/laboratory measurement methods• Influence of rock defects on strength and behaviour of rock masses • Surface and underground design and construction in rock, with examples• Site investigation philosophy and techniques for civil and mining engineering projects • Rock and soil description, including logging methods for cores and faces• Selected examples of design and construction practice for civil projects• Mine design principles and related geotechnical/environmental issues• Acid mine drainage investigation and related remediation requirements• Engineering of tailings dams and methods of safe construction• The sources and investigation of surface water, groundwater and soil• Selected case studies illustrating engineering and environmental geology.
Domestic fee $747.00
International fee $3,488.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Geological Sciences .