Entry requirements

120 credits of which 90 credits in science/engineering (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, earth science, computer science, material science), including 15 credits in mathematics or physics. 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:

• demonstrate proficient consideration and treatment of mining challenges imposed by rock mechanics, seismicity, etc.
• provide informed insight into work environment hazards arising from increasing depth, such as ventilation, temperature control, explosive gas detection and other factors affecting miners.
• critically assess technical and skill requirements necessary for practical and safe deep mining operations
• evaluate economic challenges and environmental hazards of proposed mining plans in deep and high stress environments

Content

Deep mining will become common in the future as coal and mineral resources at shallow depths gradually become exhausted. Projections of global demand and supply of minerals and metals over the next century and resulting need for additional deep mining. Overview of current deep mining activities around the globe. Rock mechanics and stress calculations, overburden pressures and stress fields, induced seismicity. Identification of seismogenic structures. Catastrophic events seen in deep mining engineering: rockbursts, gas outbursts, high in situ and redistributed stresses, large deformation, squeezing and creeping rocks, and high temperature. Strategies for preventing or limiting such mining hazards. Increasing depth and rock temperatures, ventilation and cooling requirements. Air pressure changes and impacts on miners and instruments. Conditions for suitable work environments and how to achieve them deep underground. Development of automated mining technology and possibilities of automation.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, case studies and practical exercises.

Assessment

Hand-in exercises (2 hp), active participation in group work and seminar presentation (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.