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The investment necessary to start a mine is of the order of 10's to 100's of millions of dollars. In order for the investment to be profitable, the potential product in the ground must be present in adequate quantities and quality to justify a decision to invest. Mining and processing systems used to extract the products must then operate so as to produce revenue to offset the planned investment and to provide an acceptable profit. Clearly, all technological and financial decisions regarding planned production are built on an understanding of the mineral assets available. Thus, the estimation of grade and location of material in the ground (in situ resources) must be known with an acceptable degree of confidence. This is especially true of certain large, low grade deposits for which grade is only slightly above minimum profitable levels, and for some precious metal deposits where only a small percentage of mineralized ground can be mined at a profit. Mining profits are strongly leveraged to product price and to realized grade of material mined. A small difference between planned (estimated) and realized production grade, or a small change in metal price, can have a large impact on mine profitability. The three undertakings, ore estimation, mine planning and grade control, are complementary in an efficient mining operation and are natural progressions one to another. The integration of these three endeavors is important because the grade control system must balance with the ore reserve as well as with the final products of the operating plant, and both estimation and grade control are influenced by planned operational procedures. If this balance is not achieved then the original investment may be in jeopardy. Reappraisals of mineral inventories can be necessary many times both prior to and during the life of a mine. Resource/reserve estimation procedures commonly are considered in two categories, empirical and geostatistical. This course is confined to the principal empirical methods of estimation. Authors Alastair J. Sinclair   Duration: 18 Hours Access: 90 Days Category: Exploration Level: Specialize Version Date: June 22, 2006 ​Need to train a team? Whether you're looking for a customized training program or developing a team, we have enterprise solutions to fit your needs. Learn More Read More

Bulk sampling, the costly process of taking very large samples, is part of the general procedure for the exploration and evaluation of a mineral deposit. Often the bulk sample will be a composite of material from development drifts and raises. Ideally, drift rounds or other portions should be selected from geological mapping and prior sampling, handled separately, and should be stored temporarily on a pad for sampling if not directly processed. The bulk sample will consist of these components and will take into account the geological continuities. The appropriateness of the bulk sample will be related to its source, to the variability of the deposit, to the deposit morphology, and to anticipated problems. The final objective is to obtain the quantitative information required for the quantitative evaluation of the deposit in a formal feasibility study; the objective is a production decision that leads to a profitable operation. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the topic, including the application of bulk sampling in a project exploration / evaluation context, the nugget effect and other statistical issues, planning a bulk sampling program, grade verification and metallurgical testing. Authors Dr. Alastair J. Sinclair   Duration: 12 Hours Access: 90 Days Category: Exploration Level: Specialize Version Date: October 3, 2011 ​Need to train a team? Whether you're looking for a customized training program or developing a team, we have enterprise solutions to fit your needs. Learn More   Read More

Sound decision-making is essential for success in business, and a sound grasp of ethics is vital to sound business decision-making. This course explores ethical concerns in the mineral exploration and mining industries, and the consequences of poor ethical decisions on business, industry and reputation. This course covers the following topics. Morals, Ethics and Ethical Viewpoints Human Rights and Ethics in the Developing World Environmental and Ecological Ethics Decision-Making Codes of Ethics, Laws, and Corruption Solving Ethical Problems Authors Michael Gannon   Duration: 15 Hours Access: 90 Days Category: Leadership Level: Specialize Version Date: November 21, 2013 ​Need to train a team? Whether you're looking for a customized training program or developing a team, we have enterprise solutions to fit your needs. Learn More Read More

Air photo interpretation is a powerful technique that can be used to identify a wealth of geological, environmental and man-made features. The technique can be applied to: mineral exploration and mapping, mining and resource extraction, engineering, and logistics and planning. Air Photo Interpretation is a set of two courses: a must for anyone who needs to identify and apply the basic principles and techniques. In these courses, you will examine many air photos and learn the techniques of air photo interpretation. Topics covered in Air Photo Interpretation 1 - Fundamentals include stereoscopic vision, scale, stereogram construction, optical distortions and the techniques of stereo viewing. Air Photo Interpretation 2 - Applications covers how to identify features on vertical air photos, and the many applications of air photo interpretation to mineral exploration, mining, engineering and environmental studies, illustrated by detailed case studies and numerous photographic examples. Authors Dr. Selina Tribe   Duration: 10 Hours Access: 90 Days Category: Exploration Level: Specialize Version Date: February 16, 2009   ​Need to train a team? Whether you're looking for a customized training program or developing a team, we have enterprise solutions to fit your needs. Learn More Read More

Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) Prediction provides an introductory course and application reference for students, technicians, and practicing geochemists, geoscientists and other professionals who desire a solid grounding on the subject. The course provides sufficient knowledge and background to allow useful application of the presented information toward site assessment with regard to the evaluation of acid generation potential. By design, Acid Rock Drainage Prediction emphasizes the practical application of the concepts presented and limits the presentation of theory to the level required for a basic understanding of the topic. The aim of this course is to provide an overview of the concepts underlying acid rock drainage prediction and to act as a resource for practitioners to become more familiar with or reaquaint themselves with the topic. For those who require a specialized theoretical background on the topic, ARD Prediction provides an exhaustive list of technical references. The companion textbook to this course which contains some of the course text and has additional references should be read in conjunction with this course: Acid Mine Drainage, Rock Drainage and Acid Sulfate Soils, causes, assessment, prediction, prevention and remediation, edited by James A Jacobs, Jay H. Lehr, Stephen M. Testa, John Wiley & Sons, 2014. Principal topics covered by the course include: Chemistry, Mechanisms and Sources Site Assessment and Sampling Mineralogical and Geochemical Interpretation Static Laboratory Tests and Interpretation Kinetic Laboratory Tests and Interpretation Waste Material Management Case Studies in ARD Prediction Authors Chris Mills MSc P.Eng (Author) Bruce Downing MSc P.Geo (Co-Author) Dr. Andy Robertson P.Eng (Co-Author)   Duration: 33 Hours Access: 90 Days Category: Environment Level: Specialize Version Date: December 15, 2014   ​Need to train a team? Whether you're looking for a customized training program or developing a team, we have enterprise solutions to fit your needs. Learn More Read More