THE MINERALS

AND MINING BUSINESS

(MINE1x)
COURSE SYLLABUS
Professional Certificate in Foundations of Modern Mining

Welcome
Welcome to the first course in the Professional Certificate program: Foundations of Modern Mining.
Complete, pass and earn a Verified Certificate in all six courses to receive your Professional
Certificate credential.
• MINE1x – The Minerals and Mining Business (this course) – Curtin University
• MINE2x – Minerals in a Sustainable World – the University of Queensland
• MINE3x – Operational Foundations of Mining – Curtin University
• MINE4x – Leadership and Diversity in Mining – the University of Queensland
• MINE5x – Digital Transformation of Mining – Curtin University
• MINE6x – Health, Safety and Wellness in Mining – the University of Queensland

Entry Pathways
Learners who successfully earn the Professional Certificate are eligible to apply for admission to the
following degree programs at one or both of Curtin University and the University of Queensland:
• Graduate Certificate in Minerals and Energy Economics (Curtin University)
• Graduate Certificate (University of Queensland)

If a learner applies for admission to the Graduate Certificate program at Curtin University, and is
accepted, the Professional Certificate will count towards 50% of the coursework required for
graduation.
If a learner applies for admission to the Graduate Certificate program at the University of
Queensland, and is accepted, the Professional Certificate will count towards 50% of the coursework
required for graduation.

Program Contributors
The Professional Certificate in the Foundations of Modern Mining is jointly developed and delivered
by Curtin University and the University of Queensland enabling learners to benefit from the
complementary areas of expertise at both institutions. There is national breadth provided by West
Australian and Queensland universities (coast to coast) highlighted by significant depth of
connection to industry in the two largest mining states in Australia.

The course team would like to acknowledge the generous support

provided by the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA). The MCA is the
leading advocate for Australia’s world class minerals industry,
promoting and enhancing sustainability, profitability and
competitiveness. https://minerals.org.au/

MINE1x – The Minerals and Mining Business 2

 MINE1x – The Minerals and Mining Business
Course description:
Considering the mining sector through the lens of the value chain, examining how companies and
other stakeholders explore for and then transform a mineral resource to valuable products and
other forms of capital.

Course objectives:
After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Explain how new mineral deposits are found and describe the economic factors that govern
their discovery and development
• Show how a mining plan addresses the complete lifecycle of a mine, from initial
infrastructure requirements through to operation, closure and rehabilitation
• Monitor the ‘living plan’ of a mine and establish how extraction and processing of minerals is
constantly adjusted to suit market conditions
• Explain how economics and market forces influence the decision to close a mine
• Discuss the concept of a value chain and how value is generated and measured across
different mine-life stages for various stakeholders

Pre-requisites:
There are no pre-requisites for this course. However if you intend to apply for the Professional
Certificate in the Foundations of Modern Mining credential, you will need to successfully complete
all six MINEx courses to gain the certificate.

You will need access to YouTube to view some of the independently created video content.

Time commitment:
4-5 hours per week

Course Team:
Dr Chris Rawson
Chris Rawson is the Dean, Learning and Teaching for the
Faculty of Science and Engineering at Curtin University. He
is dedicated to facilitating the delivery of high quality,
industry connected tertiary teaching and learning in STEM.
Through the development and implementation of
innovation in the ‘classroom’ he aims to have a lasting
impact on the learners of today and into the future. Chris,
was instrumental in establishing a course for high
performing science students in which learners are
challenged to address global problems through application
of science and technology to propose a social enterprise or
research project courses.

MINE1x – The Minerals and Mining Business 3

 Dr Eric Lilford Eric Lilford is an Associate Professor in Minerals and Energy
Economics at Curtin University. His research background
includes advanced mineral valuation methodologies,
calculating risk and evaluating the numerous impacts that
various legislation has on companies and fiscal systems,
worldwide. He also researches climate change and clean
energy, from a mixed technical-economic perspective. He
lectures numerous courses in the Masters of Minerals and
Energy Economics degree, and to a lesser extent in
undergraduate degrees. He is on the experts panel of the
International Monetary Fund, provides learning on behalf
of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade into
African jurisdictions and workshops government
departments in mineral economics content.

Dr Bryan Maybee Bryan Maybee is an Associate Professor and the Discipline

Lead for Minerals and Energy Economics at Curtin
University. His research is in project evaluation, risk
management and tax administration as applied to the
resources sectors. Through the application of theories and
tools from the finance industry he has worked with
governments and major mining companies globally to
develop tools and methodologies that improve mine
planning and strategic decision-making processes. He
coordinates the MSc in Minerals and Energy Economics at
Curtin University, and provides learning programs on
matters of taxation and project evaluation for emerging
minerals-based economies. Bryan is a Consultant to the
World Bank, a member of the MRIWA College of Experts,
and Program Lead for Risk, Evaluation and Planning in the
CRC for Transformations in Mining Economies.

Course Syllabus:
This course consists of an Orientation module and 7 content modules. We estimate that you will
need to spend at least 4-5 hours per week on each module.

Module 1 – Introduction to the minerals business

At the conclusion of this module you will be able to:
• Describe the full life-cycle of a mining operation
• Identify the key stakeholders and their roles in the mine life cycle
• Understand how and where value is added and determined across the life cycle value
chain

Module 2 – Discovery and development of new mineral deposits

At the conclusion of this module you will be able to:
• Explain the differences between greenfields and brownfields mining projects
• Discuss the various exploration methodologies available in mine exploration
• Understand and outline detailed aspects of geological modelling

MINE1x – The Minerals and Mining Business 4

Module 3 – Mine plans and the complete life cycle of a mine
At the conclusion of this module you will be able to:
• Provide guidance around appropriate onsite and offsite infrastructure requirements for
mining projects
• Model key parameters around production scheduling, plant processes and costing
factors for a mine
• Generate a cash flow analysis of a mining operation

Module 4 – The ‘living plan’ of a mine

At the conclusion of this module you will be able to:
• Discuss various factors that impact commodity prices
• Recognise events that may result in paradigm shifts to original operating assumptions
• Reflect on the supply and demand of commodities and how product specifications may
change the balance

Module 5 – Impact of economics and market forces on mine closure

At the conclusion of this module you will be able to:
• Clearly articulate factors that may impact a mine closure decision
• Discern whether total closure or a care and maintenance program is preferred
• Describe a mine closure process

Module 6 - Value chains and the various stakeholders

At the conclusion of this module you will be able to:
• Identify various stakeholders and how value is recognised along the value chain
• Calculate appropriate values of a mining operation along its life cycle
• Determine whether residual value exists during and after mine closure

Module 7 - Conclusion
At the conclusion of this module you will be able to:
• Provide a complete overview of the full life cycle of a mining operation, incorporating its
value chain
• Evaluate and value a mine project along any point of its life cycle
• Determine and analyse the various factors necessary to decide whether a mine closure
should be implemented

Assessment Summary:
In order to successfully complete this course you must attempt all assessments and gain an
overall mark of 70% or higher.
The assessments are outlined below. You can find further details about assessment
requirements within the Assessment section of the course.

Assessment Type % of Final Grade Due Date

Module Quizzes 30% Before course ends

Scoping study critical analysis 70% Week 7

MINE1x – The Minerals and Mining Business 5

You can complete the Module quizzes at any time as there are no "due dates". However, we do
recommend that you complete them sequentially, after you complete the relevant module.

Scoping study critical analysis (70%)

This assessment is instructor-marked and is worth 70% of your total grade for the Course.
Throughout the Course, we look at the components of different studies undertaken as a means of
identifying the attractiveness of a potential mining project. Focusing on the topics discussed through
the various modules, you are to choose one of the provided 3 Scoping Studies, and critically assess
the recommendations made. At a minimum, you should comment on the assumptions (implicit and
explicit) associated with the physical characteristics of the orebody, the broad assumptions made
about the potential future extraction of ore, the volatility of the commodity market into which the
mined product will be sold and the location of the project (i.e. jurisdiction). This assessment requires
you to challenge the inputs to the Scoping Study to provide commentary on whether you believe the
recommendations remain accurate, or whether the project requires additional investigation (in
1500-2000 words).

More detailed information will be provided in the course.

Course Schedule:
The Modules will be released on a weekly basis.

Week Module Assessment

1 Getting started
Module 1 – Introduction to the minerals business Module Quiz 1

2 Module 2 – Discovery and development of new mineral deposits Module Quiz 2

3 Module 3 – Mine plans and the complete life cycle of a mine Module Quiz 3

4 Module 4 – The ‘living plan’ of a mine Module Quiz 4

5 Module 5 – Impact of economics and market forces on mine closure Module Quiz 5

6 Module 6 - Value chains and the various stakeholders Module Quiz 6

7 Module 7 - Conclusion Project Report

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