Entry requirements

90 credits in science/engineering (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, earth science, computer science, material science), including 15 credits in mathematics or physics and 10 credits in chemistry. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student shall be able to:

• critically assess and describe Africa's major mineral provinces and resources, their properties and suitability for exploitation
• provide informed insight and proficient discussion around exploration and exploitation strategies for primarily Sub-Sarahan resources
• account for management and awareness of social challenges of sustainable mining in Africa
• critically evaluate potential environmental hazards and suitable mitigation strategies

Content

Future availability of minerals and expected demand trends with respect to economic development. Projections of global demand and supply of minerals and metals over the next century. The genesis of African ore bodies and great mineral fields with emphasis on stratigraphy, tectonics, site classification, depth, and other geoscientific and technical parameters. Deposits of resources such as chrome, copper, diamonds, gold, iron, manganese, platinum group elements, uranium, rare earth elements, and vanadium. Fossil fuels and energy minerals.

Geoscientific exploration of primarily Sub-Saharan deposits and suitable explorations strategies for currently under-explored regions within Africa. Economic geology and feasibility of exploitation. Current issues related to natural resource exploitation such as illegal mining, smuggling, mining rights, worker safety, and other socio-political issues. Development of mining policies and the connection between mining and economy and the globalized market in various countries. Environmental issues like waste rock management, tailings, acid mine drainage, air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and other local and global impacts from mining operations. The course will make extensive use of case histories.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, case-based learning and practical exercises.

Assessment

Individual project report and oral presentation (2 hp), participation in group work and seminars (1 hp), written examination (2 hp).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.