Midlands State University

Faculty of Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering

Department of Mining Engineering

Degree Profile for

Bachelor of Engineering Honours Degree in Mining Engineering (HMINE)
Institution: Midlands State University
Type of Degree: Honours (5 years)
Credit Load: 684 credits
Level: ZNQF = SADC-QF - 8
Accreditation Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education
Organisation(s):
Period of reference: Accredited by ZIMCHE in TBA

Purpose of the Programme

To develop knowledge, skills and competences in the field of Mining Engineering relevant to
various entrepreneurial and employment possibilities in Zimbabwe and other mining
economies in the region, Africa and abroad. To prepare students for higher degree studies
within the minerals field, and to be able to achieve top level environmental stewardship in
sustainable exploitation of mineral resources.

Entry Requirements
Normal Entry: 5 O-Levels including English Language and Physics; two ‘A’ level passes
including Mathematics and Physics, or Mathematics and Chemistry.

Special Entry: Refer to Section 3.2 of the General Academic Regulations

Mature Entry: Refer to Section 3.3 of the General Academic Regulations

Visiting School: Recognised diplomas in Mining, Geology, Metallurgy, Mine Surveying,

Metallurgical Assaying or other equivalents may be considered.

Programme Characteristics
Engineering principles, minerals beneficiation, surface and underground
Areas of mining practices and strategies for different deposits, minerals legislation,
Study: engineering geology, geological processes and deposits, planning and
design of mines, ventilation and environmental engineering of subsurface
 plus surface environments, geotechnical engineering, assessment of
minerals projects and feasibility, mineral resources management practices,
safe and professional ethics and practice.

Specialist
Development, operation and technical assessment of minerals projects.
Focus:
Strong hands-on components, including laboratory and on-site activities. A
Orientation:
special emphasis on efficient computer-aided methodologies.
The programme focuses on production of practically orientated engineers
Distinctive who are able to create wealth, achieve sustainable economic development
Features: and empowerment of society through application of sound theoretical
foundations.

Career Opportunities and Further Education

Employment and entrepreneurships in mining and minerals projects at all
levels including top management and research. Opportunities for graduates
with the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Degree in Mining Engineering
exist in quarrying, tunneling and mining among many possible areas.
Mining engineering graduates find employment as tunneling engineers,
Employability:
explosives engineers, mine planning engineers, mining superintendents,
mine managers, rock mechanic engineers, scheduling engineers, mine
ventilation and refrigeration engineers, earth moving specialists,
consultants, chief executive officers and investment analysts among many
opportunities. Some graduates engage in their own ventures.
Further
Master’s and doctoral studies applied to the minerals industry.
Studies:

Programme Delivery
Teaching and Lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes, seminars, group work, hands on site-
Learning based learning, mine visits, work-related learning, research projects, and
Methods: independent study.
Written examinations, tests, laboratory reports, field reports, seminar
Assessment
presentations, work-related learning report, project reports, and continuous
Methods:
assessments.

Programme Competences
Generic:
 Multidisciplinarity: Ability to draw appropriately from multiple academic disciplines to
define and solve problems based on understanding of complex phenomena
 Quantitative and innovative reasoning: Capability to draw on big data and use analytics
for informed decision making and strive to seek new ways of doing things
 Communication skills: Ability to communicate effectively and to present information
 orally and in writing and using ICTs to both expert and non-expert audiences
 Analysis and synthesis: Capacity for analysis and synthesis using logical arguments and
proven facts.
 Ethical commitment: Professional integrity and awareness of impact of science and
technology on society and the environment
 Entrepreneurial skills: Capability to identify and create new business ventures based on
knowledge and new thinking paradigms
Discipline specific:
 Deep knowledge: Ability to analyse minerals project and production phenomena in terms
of underlying principles and knowledge and by means of appropriate research and
technological methods
 Production skills: Ability to design and implement minerals projects practices and tools for
a competitive and profitable mining industry
 Technology development skills: Ability to develop new technologies across the mining
value chain with a view to enhance production efficiencies and outputs
 Problem-solving skills: Ability to solve a wide range of problems in minerals projects by
identifying their fundamental aspects and using both theoretical and experimental methods
 Analytical and computational skills: Ability to use data to analyse minerals phenomena
and trends using appropriate ITC packages

Intended Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this programme can:
 demonstrate knowledge and understanding of mining engineering principles and practices in
formation of mineral deposits, identification of mineral deposits, assess viability of minerals
projects, build projects, maintain projects, operate and sustainably abandon minerals
projects
 collect and synthesise multiple minerals project data sets to make interpretations that
account for scientific uncertainty
 effectively communicate and disseminate findings of investigations
 manage time and other resources efficiently and effectively in executing minerals project
tasks
 effectively deploy appropriate technologies to collect and interpret minerals project data as
part of a scientific investigation.
 independently acquire and utilise new minerals project knowledge from a diversity of
sources.
 use appropriate research methods to create new insights into minerals projects.
 Develop new minerals project practices and technologies that enhance efficiencies and
outputs of the mining industry
 Create new business ventures in the mining industry
 Mitigate risks of mining near surface, deeply buried deposits and deposits in other
environments safely handling any adverse operating conditions
 Plan, design and operate safe and viable minerals projects
 Evaluate and assess viability of minerals projects
 Acceptably initiate projects in synch with the economic, social and environmental
 framework existing where mineral deposits happen to occur
 Assess environmental impacts of mining and acceptably manage, rehabilitate and reclaim
mining properties
 Apply remediation measures to counter hazards due to mining activity
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
* denotes core module
Code Module Description Pre-requisites Credits
Level 1 Semester 1
12
*HMINE111 Engineering Drawing
12
*HMTE101 Engineering Mathematics I
12
HMINE112 Physics for Engineering
12
HMINE113 Chemistry for Engineering
12
CS101 Communication Skills
12
HMINE101 Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications
12
*HMINE 114 Fundamentals of Geology
12
*HMINE115 Workshop Practice

Level 1 Semester 2
12
*HMINE120 Engineering Mechanics I
12
*HMINE 121 Mining Geology HMINE114
12
*HMINE 122 Surface Mining
12
HMETE120 Materials Science
12
HMINE124 Computer Programming
12
HMINE125 Electrical Principles HMINE112
12
*HMTE102 Engineering Mathematics II HMINE101

Level 2 Semester 1
HMINE 210 GIS and Remote Sensing 12

*HMINE211 Fluid Mechanics 12

*HMINE212 Mine Surveying 12

*HMINE213 Mineral Beneficiation 12

*HMTE 201 Engineering Mathematics III HMTE101 12

GS 201 Introduction to Gender Studies 12

ENT 205 Entrepreneurship 12

Level 2 Semester 2

*HMINE 220 Thermodynamics 12

*HMINE 221 Engineering Mechanics II HMINE 120 12

*HMINE 222 Underground Mining 12

*HMINE 223 Ventilation Engineering HMINE220 12

HMINE 224 Mine Machinery and Materials Handling HMETE120 12

HMINE125
*HMTE 202 Engineering Mathematics IV HMTE102 12

Level 3 Semester 1

HMINE 310 Statistical Ore Evaluation HMTE202 12

*HMINE 311 Engineering Geology HMINE114 12

HMINE312 Safety, Health and Environment 12

*HMINE 313 Mine Planning and Design 12

HMINE 314 Research Methods and Technical Writing 12

*HMINE315 Mining Law 12

Level 3 Semester 2

HMINE 321 Database Management and Modelling 12

HMINE 322 Small Scale Mining 12

*HMINE323 Geotechnical Engineering 12

*HMINE 324 Third Year Project HMINE314 12

Level 4 Semester 1 and 2: Work-Related Learning

*HMINE 401 Work Related Learning Report 45

*HMINE 402 Academic Supervisor’s Report 45

*HMINE 403 Employer’s Assessment Report 30

LEVEL 5 SEMESTER 1
HMINE 511 Fuels and Energy 12

HMINE 513 Technological Entrepreneurship and Innovation 12

*HMINE 515 Engineering and Mineral Economics 12

*HMINE 516 Professional Ethics, Practice and Engineering Management 12

LEVEL 5 SEMESTER 2

*HMINE 521 Mineral Resources Management 12

*HMINE 523 Dissertation 36

LEVEL 1 SEMESTER 1

HMINE111 Engineering Drawing

This module covers: Use of drawing instruments and lettering; Drawing standards and
conventions; Projection methods; Engineering graphics; Measurement of areas; Introduction
to CAD and Machine drawing; Sectional views; ISO conventions in sectioning; Elementary
assembly drawing.
HMTE 101 Engineering Mathematics I
Calculus in One Variable; Differentiation and Integration; Functions of Several Variables;
Multiple Integrals; Sequences and Series; Complex Numbers.

HMINE 112 Physics for Engineering

The module covers fundamentals concepts of electrical and magnetic energy; Electrostatics
and electric fields; Capacitance and Dielectrics; Magnetic circuits; Electromagnetism;
Electromagnetic induction; Magnetic field; Electromagnetic induction, conservation of
energy; lateral and volumetric expansion; laws of thermodynamics; ideal gas laws,
equilibrium of forces; simple beams and trusses; shear force diagrams and bending moment
diagrams; simple stress and strain.

HMINE113Chemistry for Engineering

Chemistry for Engineering covers basic concepts of physical, organic, analytical and
inorganic chemistry; Experiments involving mole concept, stoichiometry, percent
composition and empirical formula determination; Synthesis, analysis, purification and
separation techniques; Reactions of functional groups in hydrocarbons and industrially
relevant analytical techniques.

CS 101 Communication Skills

Introduction to communication; Pre-writing skills; Writing skills; Whole essay construction;
Scientific and technical writing; Reflective, critical and evaluative thinking; Teamwork skills.
HMINE 101 Introduction to computers and computer programming
Concepts of computer technology and practical use of computers; Computing software, Computer
communications; Computer Aided Drawing; Computer systems organization; Number systems; Legal
and ethical considerations; Security; Use of the Internet to develop research skills

HMINE 114 Fundamentals of Geology

This module provides a general introduction to the field of geology and examines earth
materials, processes and products. Practical examination of rocks and minerals will be
undertaken in the field and laboratory.

HMINE 115 Workshop Practice

The module covers: Bench fitting; Measuring instruments; Forging; Wood working; Metal
forming; Foundry practice; Safety and care.

LEVEL 1 SEMESTER 2

HMINE 120 Engineering Mechanics I

Covered in this module are: General Principles; Force Vectors; Equilibrium of a Particle;
Force System Resultants; Work; Energy; Power; Momentum; Friction; Equilibrium of a
Rigid Body; Structural Analysis; Friction; Center of Gravity and Centroid; Moments of
Inertia; Virtual Work; Hydraulics.

HMINE 121 Mining Geology

Building on Fundamentals of Geology (HMINE 114), this module covers the theory and
practice of: ore deposit geology, mineral exploration (including geophysics) and
hydrogeology. The module winds up by introducing students to the mining engineering and
metallurgical concepts. Practical aspects are covered via laboratory work, mine visits and
fieldwork.

HMETE120 Materials Science

The module introduces the subject of materials science. The following areas are also covered:
Structure of atoms; Crystal structures; Monocrystalline structures; Imperfections in Solids;
Mechanical Properties; Failure Analysis; Corrosion.

HMINE122 Surface Mining

This module covers: Surface mining of mineral deposits; Ore body modelling; Surface
mining Economics; Pit optimisation; Surface mining equipment selection and economics;
Environmental impact and rehabilitation; Drilling and blasting in surface mining.

HMINE124 Computer Programming

Programming in BASIC, PASCAL, C, C++ and Visual Basic; Conditional and repetitive
statements; Input and output; Simple functions; Program structure and organization;
Introduction to classes and objects.

HMINE 125 Electrical Principles

The module covers: Fundamentals of Electric Circuits; Resistive Network Analysis; AC
Network Analysis; Transient Analysis; Frequency Response and System Concepts.

HMTE 102 Engineering Mathematics II

Ordinary Differential Equations; Fourier analysis; Laplace Transforms; Z Transforms.

LEVEL 2 SEMESTER 1

HMINE210 GIS and Remote Sensing

This module provides students with critical understanding of the theory and practice of GIS
and Remote Sensing techniques within the field of applications in geology, mining and
environmental sciences and disaster management.

HMINE 211 Fluid Mechanics

Fluid mechanics; Introduction and fluid statics; General fluid motion; Descriptive treatment
of boundary layer concepts; Conservation of mass and energy; Flow through pipes and open
channels; Steady uniform flow in a rectangular open channel.

HMINE 212 Mine Surveying

Classification of surveys; Levelling; Theodolite applications; Total station; Optical Distance
Measurement (ODM); Electromagnetic Distance Measurement(EDM); Astronomy.

HMINE 213 Mineral Beneficiation

This module covers: Unit operations in mineral processing; Communition; Screening;
Concentration; Dewatering; Tailings disposal; Metallurgical accounting; Simulations of
mineral beneficiation.
HMTE 201 Engineering Mathematics III
Introduction to numerical methods for solving problems in mathematics, science and finance;
Computer arithmetic and rounding errors; Numerical methods for root-finding; Polynomial
interpolation and splines; Solution for linear algebraic equations; Numerical integration and
differentiation; Numerical integration of ODEs; Euler and second order; Runge-Kutta
methods.

GS 201 Introduction to Gender Studies

This module covers: Gender sensitivity; Gender inequalities; Historical development of
gender issues; Gender analysis; Gender issues in Zimbabwe; Redressing gender imbalances;
Empowerment and strategies for gender responsive environment.

ENT 205 Entrepreneurship

Business development; Marketing; Human resources management pricing; Government
policies; Taxation of business; Case studies based on site visits; Preparation of a business
plan.

LEVEL 2 SEMESTER 2

HMINE 220 Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics concepts; System and cycles; Ideal and real gases; Energy conversion in
engines; Psychometric; Refrigeration systems; Introduction to heat transfer; Introduction to
mass transfer.

HMINE 221 Engineering Mechanics II

Stress and strain; Combined torsion and bending stress; Continuous beams; Stiffness matrix
and nodal force vector; Three dimensional Stress; Computer analysis; Lagrangian
formulation method; Hamiltonian method; D’Alambert’s principle; Rotating coordinate
system;Analysis and design of structures.

HMINE 222 Underground Mining

Ore characterization; Classification and Estimation of ore reserves; Sampling; Underground
drilling and blasting; Mine planning and optimisation; Mining methods; Underground mining
economics; Computerised mine design and planning; Tonnage and grade reconciliation.

HMINE 223 Ventilation Engineering

Mine ventilation requirements; Types of ventilation for mines; Thermodynamics of
ventilation; Fans and fan theory; Software applications; Psychrometry and heat management;
physiological human response to mine atmospheres; Ventilation and refrigeration planning.

HMINE 224 Mine Machinery and Materials Handling

Machine applications in mining processes; Classification of equipment according to usage;
Transport and hoisting systems; Haulage systems; Mine drainage and dewatering pumps;
Hard-rock tunnelling machines and raise borers; Compressed air applications.

HMTE 202Engineering Mathematics IV

The module covers the following statistical concepts: Correlation and regression,
Scatterplots, Correlation matrix. Residuals and transformations; Outliers; Pearson’s and
Spearman’s correlation coefficients, Predictions; Regression in terms of sums of squares and
sums of products; Estimation and testing; t and F-tests; Multiple linear regression; Matrices
in simple and multiple linear regression; Testing and inference in multiple linear regression
using matrices; Partial correlation; Analysis of variance (ANOVA).

LEVEL 3 SEMESTER 1

HMINE 310 Statistical Ore Evaluation

Definition of ore reserves; Classical statistics; Normal and lognormal distributions;
Confidence on mean and variance; Grade tonnage calculations; Correlations and least squares
regression; Multi-variable regression; Trend surfaces; Hypothesis tests; Geostatistics;
Declaration of mineral resources and reserves; Audit trail and Auditing of Ore Resource and
Ore Reserve Statements.

HMINE 311 Engineering Geology

Engineering classification and properties of rocks, rock masses, regolith and soils;
Engineering geology in the built environment; Geological mapping; Site investigations; Geo-
hazards; Predictive and mitigation techniques for geohazards.

HMINE 312 Safety, Health and Environment

Integrated environmental, quality, safety and health management systems; History of safety
concerns and their management in the mining industry; Applicable legislation; Site
investigation guidelines; Hazards; Psychology and acceptability of risk; Probability theory
and its application to risk; Natural hazards risk assessment and management; Human impacts;
Mine rescue; Local and international Case studies.

HMINE 313 Mine Planning and Design

Software applications in mine design; Mining planning and design principles and method;
Principles of Project Management; Mine optimisation; Regulatory environment; Site
closure/environmental design; Capital and operating costs.

HMINE 314 Research Methods and Technical Writing

Technical research and report writing skills; Dissertation writing; Work-based report writing;
Writing for publications such as books, journals and magazines; Scientific research method
and ethical writing; Correct citation of published works.

HMINE 315 Mining Law

Mining legislation; Impact on the mining industry and its stakeholders; Mine health and
safety; Environmental Impacts; Exploration; Extraction; Duty of care; Safety management
systems; Risk management; Legislation in developing countries; Industrial law issues.

LEVEL 3 SEMESTER 2

HMINE 321 Database Management and Modelling

Database management systems; Digitising; Contouring; Volume and tonnage calculation;
Numerical methods; Stress field modelling around excavations; Rocks, rock masses and ore
body modelling; Practical numerical modelling project; Software Packages in mine design.
HMINE 322 Small Scale Mining
Definitions and scope; Global distribution; Target minerals; Traditional technologies and
practices; Environmental issues; Legal aspects; Innovative mining and mineral technologies
for the sector; Case studies; Small scale mining as a business; Entrepreneurial opportunities
in small scale mining; Best practices in small-scale mining.

HMINE323 Geotechnical Engineering

Background of rock mass classification methods; Rock mass classification systems;
Application of classification methods in excavation stability; Geo-mechanical principles;
Behaviour and engineering properties of intact rock and rock masses; Geo-mechanical
instability mechanism in excavations; Design and analysis of excavations; Estimation of
support requirements in surface and sub-surface excavations; Strata control project.

HMINE 324 Third Year Project

Practical research projects undertaken to show understanding of the mining environment and
technological advances under guided topic selection and project execution; Practical mining
industry site visits, reports and presentations to be undertaken.

LEVEL 4 SEMESTER 1 and 2

HMINE 401 Work Related Learning Report

HMINE 402 Academic Supervisor’s Report
HMINE 403 Employer’s Assessment Report

LEVEL 5 SEMESTER 1

HMINE 511 Fuels and Energy

Fossil fuels and electrochemical engineering; Geological occurrence of fossil fuels;
Extraction of fossil fuels; Clean coal technologies; Electrolytes; Design of electro-synthesis;
Electro-recovery of metals; Energy generation of batteries and fuel cells.

HMINE 513 Technological Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Technological Entrepreneurship; developing a business plan and the maximum utilization of
the financial, marketing and human resources; Case studies.

HMINE515 Engineering and Mineral Economics

Micro-economics; Macro-Economics; Banks and their role in the economy; Employment and
inflation; Project evaluation; Sensitivity and risk analysis techniques; Project planning; cost
estimation and control; Commodity marketing; Price stabilization and control; Capital
estimates in mineral projects; Cash flow estimates and budgeting over project cycles; Project
funding and impacts; Project financing; Sensitivity and risk analysis plus simulation;
Organisation and management of projects; Feasibility studies; Project control.

HMINE 516 Professional Ethics, Practice and Engineering Management

Professionalism; professional ethics and social responsibility; Professional practices,
partnerships and client relationships; National and International associations and societies in
the industry; Continuous Professional Development; Professional practice legislation;
Engineering Management in Enterprises; Project Management; Capital Project Economics;
Breakeven Point; Structure Responsibility Charts; Modern Trends- Intranet; Virtual Teams;
Strategic Partnering; ASP’s; Quality Assurance and Management; Operational research.

LEVEL 5 SEMESTER 2

HMINE 521 Mineral Resources Management

Use of ore body models; Business objectives and business planning; Models, systems and
optimization; Feasibility study considerations; Operations research; Decision tree and fault
tree analysis; Monte Carlo simulation methods; statistical analysis and probability theory.

HMINE 523 Dissertation

The project should be relevant to the mining industry and it is recommended that data and
current information from an industrial source should be used.