Yearbooks

Programme: BScHons Applied ScienceMining

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Code Faculty Department
12243035 Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology Department: Mining Engineering
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 128 NQF level:  08

Programme information

The BScHons (Applied Science) degree is conferred by the following academic departments:

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Industrial and Systems Engineering
  • Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering
  • Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering
  • Mining Engineering

Any specific module is offered on the condition that a minimum number of students are registered for the module, as determined by the relevant head of department and the Dean. Students must consult the relevant head of department in order to compile a meaningful programme, as well as on the syllabi of the modules. The relevant departmental postgraduate brochures must also be consulted.

Admission requirements

  1. Three-year BSc (or equivalent) degree (in Natural Sciences)with a cumulative weighted average of at least 60% for the degree or relevant BTech qualification excluding the National Diploma; i.e.one offered by a department of civil engineering at a university of technology in South Africawith a cumulative weighted average of at least 75% for the degree and no modules failed in the BTech degree or four-year engineering-based university degree not recognised by ECSA for registration as a professional engineer or BEng degree awarded by the University of Pretoria or relevant four-year bachelor’s degree in engineering that the Engineering Council of South-Africa (ECSA) regards as acceptable for registration as a candidate engineer and for eventual registration as a professional engineer
  2. A minimum of 5 years mining experience
  3. An entrance examination may be required
  4. Comprehensive intellectual CV

Minimum credits: 128

All modules compulsory / Alle modules verpligtend

Core modules

  • Module content:

    PMY 701 provides an overview of mining by covering the following subject matter: history of mining in South Africa, surface-mining methods, underground mining methods, and a brief overview of mine environmental control and mine strata control. Then the module covers general mine layouts, mine plan reading, mine surveying, electricity supply, transport systems, water management systems, and mine fires. Specific mining techniques. Shafts: Types, methods and equipment for sinking; economic considerations. Tunneling: Design, development techniques and equipment. Design and construction of large excavation. Design, construction, reinforcing and repair of ore passes. Fires in gold and coal mines: Causes, prevention, detection, combating and insurance. Flooding: Water sources, results, dangers, sealing and control.

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  • Module content:

    Mining methods for open pits and strip mine operations. Basic mine planning, scheduling and economic cut-off limits with regards to waste stripping and ore grade. Continuous and discontinuous operations: Selection and management of truck-based loading and transport systems. Selection and management of conveyor-based loading and transport systems. Dragline selection, operation, management and strip mining practices. Slope stability in surface mines, plane, wedge and circular/non-circular failures.

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  • Module content:

    History of explosives, types of explosives: primary and secondary explosives, thermodynamics of detonation, strength of explosives. Methods and techniques, explosive initiating systems, application of explosives in rock breaking; the effects of geology and drilling. Surface and underground blasting, controlled blasting, vibration control, air blast. Ethics and regulatory compliance. Equipment and calculations.

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  • Module content:

    *This is a compulsory research module.

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The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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