College of Engineering

Mining & Minerals Engineering

Overview

The Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering offers an engineering program containing aspects of mineral science, engineering, and technology that is professionally related to the minerals industry. Graduates of this program find domestic and international employment opportunities with hardrock, coal, industrial minerals, and construction aggregates producers, as well as with government agencies and equipment vendors.

The mission of the department is to produce high quality, rigorously trained mining engineers, whose background and education reflect the current level of technology and thought of the profession, and who can enter directly into engineering practice or, alternatively, graduate school for further study. Specifically, the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering seeks, as its educational objectives, to prepare alumni within a few years of graduation to possess:

• the intellectual ability to critically assess and tackle any engineering problem they may encounter;
• the communication skills to communicate technical information to a variety of audiences including technically trained supervisors and subordinates as well as non-technical members of the work force and the general public;
• the leadership and team building skills to lead projects and function as entry-level managers as well as work productively as members of a team;
• an understanding of the practical aspects of the mining industry and an appreciation for mining as a business; and
• an awareness of societal issues and how these issues affect their role as future professional engineers working for the general benefit of society.
  

The mining engineering curriculum utilizes the basic and engineering sciences to develop the various areas of activity of the mining engineer: mineral exploration, evaluation, development, extraction, mineral processing, conservation, protection of the environment, and mineral economics. Course work in these areas provides a unique background for engineering and management positions in industry and government, as well as for continuation of specialized graduate studies.

Intrinsic to the curriculum is the development of a meaningful, major engineering design experience that builds upon the fundamental concepts of mathematics, basic sciences, the humanities and social sciences, engineering topics, and communication skills. This design experience is stressed within the major and grows with the development and progression of the student. Ethical, social, safety, economic, and environmental considerations are emphasized in the design experience throughout many courses, including the capstone senior design course. Finally, the major engineering design experience is a focal point of the mining engineering curriculum and is consistent with the objectives and goals of the program.

The program has an emphasis on the application of computers to mining and minerals processing operations. Furthermore, it exposes students to laboratory courses which focus on conducting experiments, understanding the principles involved in each experiment, and analyzing and interpreting experimental data.

Information on the mission, goals, and curriculum of the program is continuously updated on the departmental website.

The Cooperative Education Program, as well as opportunities for financial support in the form of scholarships, loans, awards, and summer employment, are available to undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate programs are available leading to the M.S., M. Eng., and Ph.D.

Students majoring in mining engineering who are residents of Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee may be eligible for the Academic Common Market, a program whereby residents of these states are eligible for Virginia in-state tuition. Those students falling into this category should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for information.

The B.S. degree program in Mining Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Program of Study

First Year
First Semester
CHEM 1035: General Chemistry		3
CHEM 1045: General Chemistry Lab		1
ENGE 1024: Engineering Exploration		2
ENGL 1105: Freshman English (Area 1)		3
MATH 1205: Calculus (Area 5)		3
MATH 1114: Elementary Linear Algebra		2
Free Elective		2
Credits		16
Second Semester
ENGE 1114 or ENGE 1104: Exploration of Engineering Design or Exploration of Digital Future		2
ENGL 1106: Freshman English (Area 1)		3
MATH 1206: Calculus (Area 5)		3
MATH 1224: Vector Geometry		2
PHYS 2305: Foundations of Physics I (Area 4)		4
Free Elective		3
Credits		17
Second Year
First Semester
ESM 2104: Statics		3
MATH 2224: Multivariable Calculus		3
GEOS 1004: Physical Geology (Area 4)		3
GEOS 1104: Physical Geology Lab (Area 4)		1
MINE 2504: Introduction to Mining Engineering		3
ENGE 2824: Civil Engineering Drawings and CAD		1
Liberal Education Area 2 Elective		3
Credits		17
Second Semester
ESM 2204: Mechanics of Deformable Bodies		3
ESM 2304: Dynamics of Particles & Rigid Bodies		3
MATH 2214: Intro. to Differential Equations		3
MINE 2514: Mining Surveying		1
MINE 2524: Elements of Mine Design		3
Liberal Education Area 6 Elective		1
Liberal Education Area 7 Elective		3
Credits		17
Third Year
First Semester
ESM 3024: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics		3
ME 3114 or ME 3134: Engineering Thermodynamics or Fundamentals of Thermodynamics		3
MINE 3504: Rock Mechanics and Ground Control		3
MINE 3514: Rock Mechanics Lab. (Area 1, ViEWS)		1
MINE 3524: Excavation Engineering		3
MINE 3534: Mineral Processing		2
Credits		15
Second Semester
GEOS 3104 or GEOS 3404: Elementary Geophysics or Elements of Structural Geology		3
MINE 3544: Mineral Processing Lab. (Area 1, ViEWS)		1
MINE 3554: Resource Recovery		2
MINE 3564: Underground Mine Design		3
MINE 3574: Surface Mine and Quarry Design		3
MINE 3584: Ventilation Engineering		3
Credits		15
Fourth Year
First Semester
ECE 3054: Electrical Theory		3
MINE 4504: Materials Handling and Power Sys.		3
MINE 4514: Health, Safety and Risk Management		3
MINE 4524: Project Engr. and Mine Management		3
MINE 4535: Senior Design Project (Area 1, ViEWS)		1
Liberal Education Area 3 Elective		3
Credits		16
Second Semester
GEOS 4624: Mineral Deposits		3
MINE 4536: Senior Design Project (Area 1, ViEWS)		2
MINE 4544: Mine Reclamation and Environmental Management		3
MINE 4554: Mining Engr. Leadership Seminar		1
Liberal Education Area 2 Elective		3
Liberal Education Area 3 Elective		3
Credits		15

A total of 128 semester credits are required for graduation.


Foreign Language Requirement: Students who did not complete 2 units of a foreign language in high school must earn 6 credit hours of a college level foreign language, such credits to be in addition to those normally required for graduation.

Eligibility for Continued Enrollment: Upon having attempted 72 hours (including transfer, advanced placement, advanced standing, and credit by examination), "satisfactory progress" toward a B.S. will include the following minimum criteria:

a grade point average of at least 2.0, and


passing grades in MINE 2504, MATH 2214 and MATH 2224.

Liberal Education Area 7 Elective: If the Liberal Education Area 7 requirement is fulfilled with a course which double counts with another course on this checksheet, an additional three credit hour free elective must be completed.

Undergraduate Courses (MINE)

2504: INTRODUCTION TO MINING ENGINEERING
Introductory course covering the complete field of Mining and Minerals Engineering with special emphasis on the evolution of discrete mining systems, interaction of mining with the environment and the inter-relationship of Mining and Minerals Engineering with other disciplines. I (3H,3C)

2514: MINING SURVEYING
Specialized principles of field surveying as applied to the delineation of mineral deposits and the design and monitoring of surface and underground mining operations. Introduction to surveying instruments, field techniques, computation procedures and mapping. Pre: MATH 1224, ENGE 1024. (3L,1C) II.

2524: ELEMENTS OF MINE DESIGN
Basic concepts used in the modeling and design of mining systems including basic statistical concepts, sampling, geological and geostatistical modeling of ore bodies, ore reserve estimation, and selection of basic mine development methods. Pre: 2504, GEOS 1004. (2H,3L,3C) II.

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

2994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

3074: HISTORY OF MINING
History and development of mining technology and law from prehistoric to modern times. The importance of the mining industry in society and its role in world development. Junior standing required. (3H,3C)

3094: ENERGY AND MINERALS IN SOCIETY
Trends in mineral consumption and the problems of meeting today's demands; mineral pricing; political influences; government regulation; the energy problem; alternative energy sources. Junior standing required. (3H,3C)

3504: ROCK MECHANICS AND GROUND CONTROL
Properties and behavior of geologic materials and masses and their classifications and ratings. Design principles of structures founded on and in rocks and basic aspects of ground control. I Pre: ESM 2204, GEOS 1004, MINE 2504. (3H,3C)

3514: ROCK MECHANICS LABORATORY
Laboratory techniques used in the determination of geologic materials properties and behavior. Determination of rock index properties, strengths, failure criterion and mechanical behavior. I Co: 3504. (3L,1C)

3524: EXCAVATION ENGINEERING
Rock fragmentation for excavation; drilling fragmentation, rock drilling systems; blasting fragmentation, types and properties of commercial explosives and accessories, system of initiation, design of blasting rounds, applications in mining and construction, structural damage criteria, overbreak control, safe practice and regulations; fragmentation by excavation machines; excavation system selection and design. I Pre: GEOS 1004, ESM 2204, MINE 2504. (3H,3C)

3534: MINERAL PROCESSING
Principles of processing ores to recover valuable minerals. Basics of mineral processing including sampling theory, material balancing, slurry calculations, grade-recovery relationships, particle size analysis, process control. Unit operations including crushing, grinding and size separation. Applications to coal cleaning and crushed stone production. I Pre: 2504. (2H,2C)

3544: MINERAL PROCESSING LABORATORY
Laboratory investigations of the unit operations and principles of mineral processing including ore preparation (size reduction, mineral liberation, and classification) and mineral recovery (froth flotation, electrostatic separation, magnetic separation, and solid-liquid separation). Pre: 3534. Co: 3554. (3L,1C) II.

3554: RESOURCE RECOVERY
Techniques for the separation and concentration of primary and secondary resources. Mineral concentration and waste recycling. Solid/solid concentration including gravity concentration, dense medium separation, froth floatation, magnetic separation and high tension separation. Solid/liquid separation including sedimentation/clarification, filtration and thermal drying. Overview of hydrometallurgical processing including leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning. Pre: 3534, CHEM 1035. (2H,2C) II.

3564: UNDERGROUND MINE DESIGN
Design fundamentals of mining systems and stope development for tabular and massive underground mineral deposits. Equipment selection and application, permitting, cost analysis and production simulation. Pre: 2524, 3504. (3H,3C) II.

3574: SURFACE MINE AND QUARRY DESIGN
Surface mining methods, and their selection; mine planning and design; excavation, haulage and ancillary systems; equipment selection and maintenance; impoundment and piles design; mine closure/reclamation. Pre: 2524, 3524. (3H,3C) II.

3584: VENTILATION ENGINEERING
Subsurface ventilation systems. Ventilation planning and design, laws of airflow, airway resistance. Ventilation surveys, network analysis, ventilation economics. Ventilation software. Fan types, impeller theory, fan laws and testing. Mine ventilation thermodynamics. Pre: 2504, ESM 3024. (2H,3L,3C) II.

4054: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN MINING
Applications of computer programs to the estimation of ore reserves, the scheduling and planning of mine activities, the optimization of mine production, and the design and selection of equipment and support systems. Pre: 2524, 3564. (2H,2C)

4074: COAL PREPARATION
Unit operations of cleaning coals by physical and chemical processes, coal analysis and characterization, flowsheet design, evaluation of plant performance, process control, and simulation of coal preparation plants. I Pre: 3554. (2H,3L,3C)

4114: ECONOMICS OF MINERALS
Economic, technologic, and environmental aspects of mineral location, production, processing, and utilization. Junior standing required. (2H,2C) II.

4124: MINING LAW
Land ownership and mineral rights, withdrawals, environmental laws, locatable and leasable minerals, exploration permits, lease management, and mineral taxation. Pre: 2524. (2H,2C)

4134: SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION
Design of engineering systems and methods to meet present environmental laws and regulations for surface mined land. Pre: 3574. (2H,2C)

4144: MARKETING AND TRANSPORTATION OF COAL
Markets, grade specifications, reserve requirements, contracts, schedules, and transportation of minerals to markets. Pre: 3554. (2H,2C)

4154: INTERMEDIATE ROCK MECHANICS
Theory and application of field instrumentation, simulation laws, and modeling in rock mechanics; dynamic response of rock; theory of rock bursts; stability of rock slopes, computer techniques of modeling, and monitoring. Pre: 3504.(3H,3C)

4164 (MSE 4164): PRINCIPLES OF MATERIALS CORROSION
Introduction to the scientific principles of materials corrosion and corrosion protection. Topics include: thermodynamics of materials corrosion, including potential- PH (Pourbaix) diagrams, kinetics of corrosion reactions and mixed potential theory, types of corrosion (uniform, galvanic, crevice, pitting, fatigue, stress corrosion cracking, intergranular, and hydrogen embrittlement), material/environmental factors that promote or prevent the various types of corrosion, and methods and techniques of corrosion testing. Co: MSE 4034 or ME 3114 or ME 3124 or ME 3134. I (3H,3C)

4174: COAL TECHNOLOGY
A broad-based background in coal technology, including origin of coal, classification, physical and chemical properties, beneficiation, combustion, carbonization, and chemical conversion. Pre: CHEM 1035, MATH 2214, PHYS 2305. (3H,3C)

4184: GROUND CONTROL
Design of structures in rock, support analysis and design, strata control in bedded formations, mass deformation and subsidence concepts, slope stabilization and monitoring. Pre: 3504, 3514. (3H,3C)

4504: MATERIALS HANDLING AND POWER SYSTEMS
Principles of materials handling, fluid power and electrical power systems for surface and underground mining operations. Engineering analysis and design of secondary haulage operations (belt conveyors, hoists, trucks, railways), fluid power systems (hydraulics, pumps, piping networks, compressors, pneumatic equipment). electrical systems (electrical machinery, distribution networks, controls), and other ancillary systems required to support mining operations. Assessment of equipment reliability and development of preventive maintenance programs. Pre: ESM 3024. Co: ECE 3054. (3H,3C) II.

4514: HEALTH, SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Study of risk analysis; mine legislation; mine gases, their occurrence, and physiological effects; methane emissions; dust classification, monitoring, and control; heat and humidity; psychrometry; physiological effects; climatic simulation; radiation monitoring and control; equipment hazards; noise; illumination; personal health and safety; fires and explosions; disaster management. I Pre: 3564 or 3574. (3H,3C)

4524: PROJECT ENGINEERING AND MINE MANAGEMENT
Introduction to theory and practice of project engineering and management. Estimation of capital and operating expenditures. Cash flow development, worth evaluation, comparison of alternatives, taxation/depreciation and optimization. Principles of financial management, accounting and resource utilization. Topical seminars by industrial representatives. I Pre: 3564 or 3574. (3H,3C)

4535-4536: SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT
Investigation of a significant design problem in mining engineering under the supervision of a staff member. Periodic progress reports and submission of a comprehensive final design project including detailed drawings, engineering calculations, economic feasibility, and environmental impacts. I Pre: 3564 or 3574. Co: 4524 for 4535. 4535: (3L,1C) 4536: (6L,2C)

4544: MINE RECLAMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Statutory and regulatory controls on the mining environment. Air, water and land pollutants, standards, monitoring systems, and prevention and control techniques. Unique environmental issues, Surface Mine Conservation and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), endangered species, environmental impact statements, permitting, environmental audits and torts. Pre: 3574. (3H,3C) II.

4554: MINING ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
Invited speakers, short-courses and workshops on subjects related to leadership issues in mining and minerals engineering. Technology and design; mining finances and marketing; management and business concerns; labor relations and leadership; team building, motivation, and communications; problem solving and performance measurements; environmental issues; permitting and regulatory requirements. Senior standing required. (3L,1C) II.

4604: MINERAL PROCESSING SIMULATION AND CONTROL
Principles of processing minerals and coal including analysis of flowsheets and unit operations, mass balance calculations, mathematical modeling, simulation and control of mineral and coal processing operations. Pre: 3554. (3H,3C) II.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.

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