Duration
25h Th, 1d FW, 25h Labo., 5h Proj.
Number of credits
| Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical and Materials Engineering | 5 crédits | |||
| Master of Science (MSc) in Geological and Mining Engineering | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The activities related to sustainable exploitation of primary and secondary resources word wide are associated with strong environmental pressure. Therefore it is imperative for an engineer to be aware about the administrative and legislative procedures linked to environmental impact studies during industrial and mining activities. The legal requirements and the procedures differ from country to country. During this course the following aspects will be covered:
The role of the mining industry in sustainable supply of primary resources, EMP (environmental management plan and auditing, waste management and environmental control, effluents treatment and tailing ponds construction and management, psot-mining activities and sites rehabilitation). Historical examples of mining pollution. The principle geochemical risks linked to management of mining and industrial tailings will be presented, together with those related to the long-term fate of tailings from mineral concentration plants. The environmental issues linked to small scale mining and artisanal operations are covered as well.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Get aware the students with the main effects which the industrial and mining activities bear on environment
After attending the cours the students will be able to
- understand the management aspects of mining and industrial activities and their implication to the local legislation and the conservation of natural resources.
- get acquainted and being able to analyse the pros and the cons of the different methods for rehabilitation of industrial and mining sites
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
A basic knowldge in chemistry (general reactions) is compulsory. A knowledge about the mineral processing techniques is desirable.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course includes lectures (25 h) covering the theoretical aspects, practical lab works and site visits
The lab classes (including calculations) will cover the following aspects:
Acid generation capacities of mine/industrial wastes; Acid neutralising features of mine wastes; Estimation of potential degree of mobility for certain heavy metal elements. Testing two different minerals using different protocols for AMD estimation. Microscopic observations of polished sections coming from the characterisation tests mentioned above. A case-study illustrating the importance to predict the AMD generation capacity and involving mineralogical observation of a real sample. Specifc sampels coming out from the AMD estiamtion will be inspected under microscope in order to reveal the effect from sulphides liberation degree.
The results from the lab tests (in groups) should be delivered as written report and presented orally.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face but could differ as function of how the epidemic situation evolves
First quadrimester - Wednesdays - from 14 to 18 h, room -1/426, B52
Lectures, lab works, site visits, seminars. The lectures are delivered in English. Lab work instructions will be available to students before each practical.
Organisational adjustments related to the current health context
Recommended or required readings
Lecture material as pdf files will be available at the Ecampus platform.
Literature:
Bernd G. Lottermoser, Mine Wastes -Characterization, Treatment, Environmental Impacts, Springer, Second Edition (2007) - available in pdf form at e-campus
Sustainable development and the future of mineral investment (2000) in Otto J. & Cordes J (eds), UN Publications ; Christopher Wood. (1997)
Mining and Environment:From Ore to Metal, Karl-Heinz Spitz, CRC Press, 2008
Environmental impact assessment - a comparative review, Longman; Larry Canter. Environmental impact assessment, (1997) McGraw Hill Int.; Environmental Management in the Australian Minerals and Energy Industries - principles and practices, (1999) D. Mulligan (ed.) UNSW press book.
Assessment methods and criteria
Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.
The students could be questioned either in English or in French.
Normal situation: The exam will be a written one involving short and long questions to be answered.
In case of impossibility of a face-to-face examination (COVID situation), an oral exam will be organized.
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
The cours is delivered during the first quadrimester
Contacts
Stoyan GAYDARDZHIEV - Prof. B 52/3, office -1/412, 04 3669120
S.Gaydardzhiev@ulg.ac.be
Mohamed AATACH , Assistant B 52/3, -1/512
Mohamed.Aatach@ulg.ac.be
Items online
course support
slides of the courseinsturctions for practical works references books articles