Yearbooks

Programme: BScHons (Applied Science) Mining

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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

Examinations and pass requirements

Refer also to G18 and G26.

  1. The examination in each module for which a student is registered, takes place during the normal examination period after the conclusion of lectures (i.e. October/November or May/June).
  2. G18(1) applies with the understanding that under exceptional circumstances an extension of a maximum of three years may be approved: provided that the Dean, on reccommendation of the relevant head of department, may approve a stipulated limited extension of this period.
  3. A student must obtain at least 50% in an examination for each module where no semester or year mark is required. A module may only be repeated once.
  4. In modules where semester or year marks are awarded, a minimum examination mark of 40% and a final mark of 50% is required.
  5. No supplementary or special examinations are granted at postgraduate level.

Pass with distinction

A student passes with distinction if he or she obtains a weighted average of at least 75% (not rounded) in the first 128 credits for which he or she has registered (excluding modules which were discontinued timeously). The degree is not awarded with distinction if a student fails any one module (excluding modules which were discontinued timeously). The degree must be completed within the prescribed study period. 

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 regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

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