Introduction

In this introductory course, students explore the full breadth and depth of the mining sector. An array of succinct overviews, video clips, and infographics guide students through a typical mining value chain (exploration, mining, processing, transport, closure, and post-closure). Topics such as artisanal and small-scale mining, project financing, and an overview of a variety of commodities are included. Key trends within mining are also explored including insight into new and developing technologies, and true sustainability within mining.

You will leave this course with a solid grasp of mining terminology, processes, and business practices that will help them work in or with professionals in the mining industry.

Who is the Course For

This course provides a robust foundation to the key components of the mining industry and introduces the learner to the mining value chain, industry specific terminology and key concepts.

This course is for anyone who is interested in the mining sector and would like a broad overview of the mining value chain without the technical details.

Examples of those who may be interested include: geologists, chemists, engineers, government officials, regulators, data scientists, policy setters, non-governmental organizations, procurement specialists, academics, finance professionals, sustainability experts, lawyers, and administrative staff.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to: 

• Summarize the purpose of mining and how the mining industry impacts the world.
• Use key terminology and common acronyms appropriately.
• Outline the key steps in the mining value chain and how they interact with each other.
• Discuss major trends in mining and identify the impact they have on the industry and its players.
• Describe the lifecycle of exploration and the key requirements for reporting Mineral Resources and Reserves.
• Explain the main methods used across mining and processing, including waste management.
• Examine remediation, closure and post-closure practises, and how they interact with the whole value chain.
• Identify the primary roles associated with each step of the mining value chain.
• Recognise risks (both threats and opportunities) and challenges faced by the mining sector (social, political, government, environment, health, safety, etc).
• Compare large-scale mining to artisanal and small-scale mining.

Duration: 4 hours

Category: Mining

Level: New To Mining

Authors

Dr Sarah Gordon	Dr Rose Clarke

Having completed her PhD at Imperial College, Sarah went to work as a Geologist for Anglo American. She was lucky enough to live and work all over the world in a variety of functions from exploration through to sustainability, risk management and assurance. This grounding allowed her to explore different risk management techniques and uses, applying them to real situations.

Sarah co-founded Satarla in 2014. Now with 80 Associates based globally and offices in London, Sydney, Johannesburg, Santiago, and Toronto, Satarla provides risk management consultancy, training, and research to organizations from sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, charities, finance, together with petrochemicals, energy, oil & gas, and mining. Specializing in making risk management practical and accessible to all those that use it, Sarah most enjoys projects through which a company’s culture can be evolved to meet its values and purpose. In recent years, this has focused on integrated risk management with a focus on Environmental, Social and Governance risks.

Sarah is an honorary lecturer at Imperial College London and Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg. Institute of Risk Management Accredited Trainer and course developer, Sarah is currently leading the team designing the new IRM Climate Change risk management training course. Voted as one of the top 10 most inspirational women in mining in 2016, she is also a trustee of Geology for Global Development and co-founder of Responsible Raw Materials

Contributors

With thanks to the following individuals for contributing to the course:

• Cathryn MacCallum
• Jeff Townsend
• Aldo Pennini
• Dharmesh Chheda
• Jamie Strauss
• Nell Agate-Tsui
• Alexandre Souza
• Norman Gridley
• Debra Watson
• Raymond Phillippe
• Katie McFall
• Birgit Rameseder
• Ralton Maree
• Angela Jorns
• Ellen Casey
• Lorna Jones
• Ollie de Boer