MIN3701/101/3/2021

Tutorial Letter 101/3/2021

Mining IIIA

MIN3701

Semesters 1 and 2

Department of Electrical and Mining

Engineering

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail account and

make sure that you have regular access to the myUnisa module
website, MIN3701-2021-S1/S2, as well as your group website.

Note: This is a fully online module. It is, therefore, only available on myUnisa.
BARCODE

Open Rubric
 CONTENTS

Page

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Getting started .............................................................................................................................. 3
2 OVERVIEW OF MIN3701 ............................................................................................................. 4
2.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 4
2.2 Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 4
3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS................................................................................... 4
3.1 Lecturer ........................................................................................................................................ 4
3.2 Department ................................................................................................................................... 4
3.3 University ...................................................................................................................................... 4
4 RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................... 5
4.1 Joining myUnisa ........................................................................................................................... 5
4.2 Prescribed book(s) ........................................................................................................................ 5
4.3 Recommended book(s) ................................................................................................................. 5
4.4 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ................................................................................................... 5
4.5 Library services and resources ..................................................................................................... 6
5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................ 6
6 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE ............................................................................................................ 6
6.1 What does it mean to study fully online? ....................................................................................... 6
6.2 myUnisa tools ............................................................................................................................... 7
7 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 7
7.1 Assessment plan .......................................................................................................................... 7
7.2 Year mark and final examination/other options ............................................................................. 9
8 CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................ 11

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 MIN3701/101/3/2021

1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student

Welcome to Mining IIIA (MIN3701).

The objective of this Tutorial Letter is to introduce you to Mining III A and to inform you about a
few administrative arrangements. There are three assignments that must be completed and
sent to the university. All three assignments are compulsory. You will not be able to write the
examination if you do not submit all three assignments.

Please note that this is a semester module that is offered in both the FIRST and the SECOND
semesters of 2021. Two sets of due dates are therefore provided – for the first and second
semesters, respectively. Please select the assignments and due dates that apply to you.

The course material for this module consists of the following:

• This tutorial letter, TL101

• A Study Guide with the following study units:

o Study Unit 1 - Shafts

o Study Unit 2 – Development (Tunnelling- Underground Access)

o Study Unit 3 – Drilling technology and equipment

o Study Unit 4 – Hardrock blasting techniques

o Study Unit 5 – Mining methods for wide and narrow ore bodies

o Study Unit 6 – Underground ore-handling systems (Equipment)

• Tutorial Letter TL201 that you will receive later during the course of Semester 1 or
Semester 2 of this year (2021), whichever is applicable to you.

It is important that you register on myUnisa and regularly visit the website. By doing so, you will
have access to study material and any communication relating to this module.

Because this is a fully online module, you will need to use myUnisa to study and complete the
learning activities for this module. Visit the website for MIN3701 on myUnisa frequently. The
website for your module is MIN3701-2021-S1/S2.

1.1 Getting started

Owing to the nature of this module, you can read about the module and find your study material
online. Go to the website at https://my.unisa.ac.za and log in using your student number and
password. Click on "myModules" at the top of the web page and then on "Sites" in the top right
corner. In the new window, click on the grey Star icon next to the modules you want displayed
on your navigation bar. Close the window in the top right corner. Then select the option "Reload
to see your updated favourite sites". Now go to your navigation bar and click on the module you
want to open.

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We wish you every success with your studies!

2 OVERVIEW OF MIN3701
2.1 Purpose

The purpose of this module is to expose the students to mining sciences and their applications
in the industry.

2.2 Outcomes

After completing this module, the students should be able to master the below listed specific
outcomes:
• Specific outcome 1: Discuss factors related to accessing an ore body
• Specific outcome 2: Demonstrate the rationale behind the design of mine surface
service layouts.
• Specific outcome 3: Demonstrate the selection procedure involved in the choice of
a mining method
• Specific outcome 4: Demonstrate understanding of hydro power as an alternative
energy in narrow tubular deposit.
• Specific outcome 5: Demonstrate understanding regarding the use of mine
mechanisation.
• Specific outcome 6: Demonstrate good understanding of explosive utilisation in the
mining industry.

3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

3.1 Lecturer

The primary lecturer for this module is Ms Netshilaphala Carol:

Department: Electrical and Mining Engineering
E-mail: netshvc@unisa.ac.za

3.2 Department

You can contact the Department of Electrical and Mining Engineering as follows:

Telephone number: 011 471 3953 or 011 471 3706

E-mail: electrical&mining@unisa.ac.za

3.3 University

To contact the University, follow the instructions on the Contact us page on the Unisa website.
Remember to have your student number available whenever you contact the University.

Whenever you contact a lecturer via e-mail, please include your student number in the subject
line to enable the lecturer to help you more effectively.

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4 RESOURCES
4.1 Joining myUnisa

The myUnisa learning management system is the University's online campus which will help
you communicate with your lecturers, other students and the administrative departments within
Unisa. To claim your myUnisa account, please follow the steps below:

1. Visit the myUnisa website at https://my.unisa.ac.za/portal

2. Click on the "Claim Unisa login" link on the top of the screen under the orange user ID box.
3. A new screen will load, prompting you to enter your student number. Please enter your
student number and click "continue".
4. Enter your surname, your full name, your date of birth and, finally, your South African ID
number (for South African citizens) OR your passport number (for foreign students). Then
click "continue". Remember to enter either an ID number or a passport number, NOT
both.
5. Please read through the guidelines and click all the check boxes to acknowledge that you
have read all the information provided. Once you are done, click the "Acknowledge" button
to redirect you to the final page in the process.
6. The final page will display your myLife e-mail address, and your myLife AND myUnisa
password. This password will also be sent to the cellphone number displayed on the page
for safekeeping.
7. Please note that it can take up to 24 hours for your myLife e-mail account to be created.

Remember, the password provided is your myUnisa AND myLife password.

4.2 Prescribed book(s)

There is no prescribed book

4.3 Recommended book(s)

SME Mining Engineering Handbook, Third Edition

https://app.knovel.com/web/login.v

4.4 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)

encourage you to read mining journals regularly, as well as papers published by the Southern
African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) and the Association of Mine Managers of SA
(AMMSA). If you are not already a member, I would encourage you to join the SAIMM, as this
will allow you to attend seminars and visit mines. Membership forms can be obtained from the
secretary (telephone number 011 8341273, and postal address PO Box 61127, Marshalltown,
2107). More information and an application form are available on the SAIMM website at
http://www.saimm.co.za

E-reserves can be downloaded from the Library catalogue. More information is available at:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request

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4.5 Library services and resources

The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources:

• For detailed Library information, go to https://unisa.ac.za/library

• For research support and services (eg personal librarians and literature search services),
go to https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Research-
support
• The Library has created numerous Library guides: https://libguides.unisa.ac.za

Recommended guides:

• Request and download recommended material:

https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request
• Postgraduate information services:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/postgrad
• Finding and using Library resources and tools:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/research-support
• Frequently asked questions about the Library:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask
• Services to students living with disabilities:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/disability
• Assistance with technical problems accessing the Unisa Library or resources:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/techsupport

You may also send an e-mail to Lib-help@unisa.ac.za (please add your student number in the
subject line).

5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Study @ Unisa website is available on myUnisa: www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies

This website has all the tips and information you need to succeed at Unisa.

6 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE

6.1 What does it mean to study fully online?

Studying fully online modules differs completely from studying some of your other modules at
Unisa.

• All your study material and learning activities for online modules are designed to be
delivered online on myUnisa.
• All your assignments must be submitted online. This means that you do all your
activities and submit all your assignments on myUnisa. In other words, you may NOT post
your assignments to Unisa using the South African Post Office.

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• All communication between you and the University happens online. Lecturers will
communicate with you via e-mail and SMS, and use the Announcements, the Discussion
Forums and the Questions and Answers tools. You can also use all of these platforms to
ask questions and contact your lecturers.

6.2 myUnisa tools

The main tool that we will use is the Lessons tool. This tool will provide the content of and the
assessments for your module. At times you will be directed to join discussions with fellow
students and complete activities and assessments before you can continue with the module.

It is very important that you log in to myUnisa regularly. We recommend that you log in at least
once a week to do the following:

• Check for new announcements. You can also set your myLife e-mail account so that you
receive the announcement e-mails on your cellphone.
• Do the Discussion Forum activities. When you do the activities for each learning unit, we
want you to share your answers with the other students in your group. You can read the
instructions and even prepare your answers offline, but you will need to go online to post
your messages.
• Do other online activities. For some of the learning unit activities you might need to post
something on the Blog tool, take a quiz or complete a survey under the Self-Assessment
tool. Do not skip these activities because they will help you complete the assignments and
the activities for the module.

We hope that by giving you extra ways to study the material and practise all of the activities, you
will succeed in the online module. To get the most out of the online module you MUST go online
regularly to complete the activities and assignments on time.

7 ASSESSMENT
7.1 Assessment plan

The following is a breakdown of the formal assessment activities as they become due during the
semester:

You must complete and submit THREE assignments by the due dates. All three assignments
are compulsory and by submitting the assignments, you will gain admission to the examination
if you obtain 50% or more for Assignments 1 and 2 which are directly linked to two ECSA-
prescribed graduate attributes. If you obtain less than 50% for Assignment 2, you will have
Assignment 3 to redeem yourself. You must get 50% or more for each of Assignments 1 and 2
to gain admission to the examination. This is one of the ways in which Unisa demonstrates to
ECSA that you were found to be competent in the graduate attributes.

All three assignments will be used to calculate your semester mark. This semester mark
will form part of your final mark for the subject in a specific ratio. Therefore, your performance

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in the assignments plays a vital part in your studies. You need a final mark of 50% to pass
this subject.

Remember that assignments (and tutorials on myUnisa) are part of the learning process. They
will deepen your understanding of the subject and allow you to apply what you are learning. The
assignments will also allow you to make mistakes that can be corrected by feedback (TL201)
before you write the examination.

Unique assignment numbers

Semester 1 of 2021 Semester 2 of 2021

Assignment 01, 2021 634431 738955

Assignment 02, 2021 675025 845854

Assignment 03, 2021 735003 830213

Assignment due dates

Assignment number Assignment due dates Examination period

Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester Semester

1 2

01 (compulsory) MCQ 05 March 2021 27 August 2021

02 (compulsory) 15 March 2021 10 September 2021 May/June Oct/Nov

2021 2021
03 (compulsory) 19 April 2021 27 September 2021

Graduate Attributes (GA)

The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) requires that students who complete an
Advance Diploma in Engineering must be competent in all 10 Graduate Attributes contained in
the standard for the aforementioned qualification. Table 1 shows that this module MIN3701
contributes towards mainly two of the ten graduate attributes (i.e GA1 and GA 2).

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 MIN3701/101/3/2021

Table 1. Contribution of this module towards the Graduate Attributes

GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES

1 Problem solving

2 Application of Scientific and engineering knowledge

3 Engineering design

4 Investigations, experiments, and data analysis

5 Engineering methods, skills, tools, including Information Technology

6 Professional and Technical Communication

7 Sustainability and Impact of Engineering Activity

8 Individual, Team and Multidisciplinary Working

9 Independent Learning

10 Engineering Professionalism

*Because this is an online module, the assignments are not provided in this tutorial letter.
Instead, the assignments are provided online as they become due. You will see them when you
go online.

7.2 Year mark and final examination/other options

Your year mark for this module is as follows:

The year mark for this subject is based on all your assignment marks. The assignments
contribute towards the final year mark as shown in table 2.

Table 2. Assignment contribution towards year mark

Assignment number Contribution towards year mark

01 – Compulsory (MCQ) 20 %

02 – Compulsory 40 %

03 – Compulsory 40 %

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Your year mark is calculated using the three assignments, i.e. Assignments 01, 02 and 03. The
semester mark will count 20 % towards your final mark. Hence, Final mark = (0.8 x
Examination mark) + (0.2 x Year mark).

You must obtain a minimum final mark of 50 % to pass the subject.

Assignments must be submitted either electronically (via myUnisa). You can also obtain your
assignment marks from myUnisa.

You can submit assignments via myUnisa. MCQs can be submitted in any of the following ways:

• mobile MCQ submission

• electronically via myUnisa

Do not submit your assignments by fax or email.

No assignments may be submitted via post due to COVID-19. Any changes on this matter will
be communicated to you via myUnisa.

For detailed information on assignments, please refer to the brochure Study@Unisa.

To submit an assignment via myUnisa:

• Go to myUnisa.

• Log in with your student number and password.

• Select the module.

• Click on assignments in the menu on the left-hand side of the screen.

• Click on the assignment number you wish to submit.

• Follow the instructions.

Once you have submitted an assignment via myUnisa, a date will appear in the Processed
column.

Take note of the following important points:

• No assignments submitted late will be accepted.

• Keep a copy of your assignment for your own reference. This is important as
assignments do get lost.

• Assignments must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines provided in Study

@ Unisa.

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Take note that model answers for the assignments will be uploaded onto myUnisa within one
week after the due date of the assignment. This implies that you cannot submit your assignment
later than the stipulated submission date.

For detailed information on and requirements for assignments, see Study @ Unisa.

8 CONCLUSION
Do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail if you are experiencing problems with the content of this
tutorial letter or with any academic aspect of the module.

We wish you a fascinating and satisfying journey through the learning material, and trust that
you will complete the module successfully.

Enjoy the journey!

Carol Netshilapahala – lecturer for MIN3701

DEPARTMENT OFELECTRICAL AND MINING ENGINEERING

Unisa ©2021

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