Professional Development Training Courses

Professional Development Training Courses in Geoscience for the Coal Industry

The Professional Development Training Courses offered by the NSW Institute for Frontier Geoscience are industry supported. Click here to view written support from AusIMM and AIG.

Program Objective

To inform geologists in the coal industry on the use and application of sophisticated 'state-of-the-art' equipment, on how to interpret acquired data, and how to present within companies. The program will also offer courses in relevant resource and environmental management, knowledge of relevant legal issues, and an introduction to the Coal and Coal Seam Gas Industry.

The following courses include those that are planned for 2013. We anticipate that by 2014, at least eight (8) courses will be running on an annual basis. 

1. Coal Quality and Utilisation
2. Fundamentals of Coal Exploration
3. Principles of Geological Information Management, Geological Modelling and Coal Resource Estimation
4. Lithological, Geotechnical and Geophysical Logging
5. Geotechnical Aspects of Coal Mining and Hazard Awareness
6. Principles of Groundwater Monitoring in Relation to Coal Mining
7. Australian Coal Basins
8. Advanced Coal and Mineral Processing
9. Legislation and Exploration
10. Coal Seam Gas

Course Details are listed below:

1. Coal Quality and Utilisation**

Co-ordinator: Professor Colin Ward

This course will run again in a future cohort (2014)

Objective: Introduce principles of coal formation, sampling, analysis and utilisation as a basis for coal mine quality management and marketing.

a) Coal Formation and Petrography
b) Sampling for Analytical Purposes
c) Designing a Coal Analysis Program
d) Coal Analytical Techniques and Testing
e) Interpretation of Analytical Results
f) Geological Factors affecting Coal Sampling and Analysis Results
g) Coal Preparation
h) Utilisation of Thermal and Coking Coal
i) Lab Visit

• Read more about the Coal Quality and Utilisation course

2. Fundamentals of Coal Exploration**

Co-ordinator: Mr John Edwards

This course will run in October 2013

Objective: Outline the available methods in exploration and exploration program design, and demonstrate the applicability of each method

a) Geological Mapping (surface and underground)
b) Airborne Geophysics
c) Landbase Geophysics
d) Wireline Geophysics
e) Drilling (vertical, surface to inseam, inseam longholes)
f) NSW Mining Authority Titles and Exploration
g) Other Legislation (OH&S, Environmental)
h) Geological Information Management
i) Exploration Management
j) Survey Methods and Accuracy

3. Principles of Geological Information Management, Geological Modelling and Coal Resource Estimation**

Co-ordinator: Mr Darren Hope

This course will run 2-6 December 2013. 

Objective: Provide a framework and appropriate skill set to interpret and manage data recovered from exploration, using this data to develop geological models and coal resource estimates for public reporting and statutory purposes.

a) Data Vetting and Validation
b) Database Establishment
c) Geological Modelling
d) Resource Estimation
e) Public and Statutory Reporting of Coal Resources

Register for the Course ►

4. Lithological, Geotechnical and Geophysical Logging

Co-ordinator: Dr Judy Bailey

Course to be run in 2014

Objective: Provide necessary skills in recording and interpreting lithological, geotechnical and geophysical data to allow construction of accurate mine and resource models.

a) Lithological Geotechnical and Geophysical Logging
b) Mechanical Testing
c) Wireline Logging(Use and Accuracy)
d) Reconciliation of the Lithological and Geophysical Logs
e) Geological Information Management

5. Geotechnical Aspects of Coal Mining and Hazard Awareness

Co-ordinator: Professor Steve Fityus / Mr John Simmons

Course was run March 18 - 22 2013

Objective: Provide an understanding and application of geotechnical principles relating to Geotechnical Hazards in Underground and Open Cut Mining

a) Geotechnical Hazards and Potential Impacts on Business and Safety in Open Cut and Underground Coal Mines
b) Geological/Geotechnical Features that Contribute to the Occurrence of Geotechnical Hazards
c) Identification of these Geological/Geotechnical Features during an Exploration
d) How the Pre-mining Geological/Geotechnical Uncertainties are dealt with During Operations
e) Geological Mapping and Identification of Geological/Geotechnical Hazards in Open Cut and Underground Coal Mines
f) Strata Monitoring Instruments (uses, installation and measurement)

• Read more about the Geotechnical Aspects of Coal Mining and Hazard Awareness course

6. Principles of Groundwater Monitoring in Relation to Coal Mining

Co-ordinator: Dr Boyd Dent

Course to be run 24-28 June 2013

Objective: Provide necessary skills in recording and interpreting hydrogeological conditions from borehole and geophysical data. Provide a framework and appropriate skill set to identify and manage groundwater issues associated with mining and rehabilitation

a)  The Water Cycle
b)  Hydrogeological Principles,
c)  Sources of Data
d)  Licensing and Legislation
e)  Groundwater Infrastructure
f)  Field Techniques,
g)  Hydrogeological Tools
h)  Input
i)  Specialist Support
j)  Reporting

• Read more about Groundwater Monitoring

7. Australian Coal Basins

Co-ordinator: Dr Judy Bailey and Presenter Kathy Benfall

Course to be run 10-14 June 2013

This course has been selected by MTEC as part of their Minerals Geoscience Honours Program. Please refer to the MTEC website for more information.

Objective: Outline the location and significant features of the Australian Coal Basins, to provide a geological background and context for understanding Australian coal deposits.

a) Location
b) Stratigraphy and Age
c) Coal Petrography and microscopic analysis
d) Formation of high quality coal seams
e) Tectonic Setting and basin structure
f) Coal Types and Rank
g) Coal exploration
h) Coal characterisation and Utilisation
i) Coal Seam gas
j) Industry Field Trip

• Read more about the Australian Coal Basins course

8. Advanced Coal and Mineral Processing

Co-ordinator: Mr Bob Jackson

Course to be run in September 2013

Objective: The Advanced Coal Preparation course is designed to provide an overview of advanced skills required to be a competent coal geologist operating within the work standards determined by the Australian Coal Industry. It will run over five, 10-hour days and will include a major assignment to be completed concurrently. Work on the assignment will be done "in house" for two hours each evening (Sunday-Thursday). The course is run by experts who are members of the Australian Coal Preparation Society.a) Coal properties
b) Coal Utilisation- sizing/washability/crushing/screening
c) Coarse and small coal cleaning
d) Fine coal gravity/flotation
e) Pumping/thickening/dewatering
f) Sampling quality/plant efficiency
g) Materials handling
h) Plant visit – maintenance & management
i) Tendering specifications
j) Project activity - each night

Register for the Advanced Coal Preparation Course ►

9. Legislation and Exploration

Co-ordinator: TBA

This course to be run in a future cohort 

Objective: Introduce and demystify the legislation relating to exploration and mining

a) NSW Mining Authority Titles and Exploration
b) Coal Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations
c) Environmental Law
d) Mining Act, Coal Mining Act and Petroleum Act and Regulations
e) Ecology and Heritage
f) Access Agreements

10. Coal Seam Gas

Co-ordinator: Dr Ray Williams

This course to be run in a future cohort 

Objective: Provide an understanding of the origins of coal seam gas, its composition, occurrence and measurement, and introduce issues in coal seam gas water management

a) Coal Seam Gas Origin and Composition
b) Nature of Coal Seam Gas Reservoirs
c) Methods of Determining Seam Gas Content (field and laboratory testing)
d) Laboratory-based Measurement of Gas Desorption and Composition
e) Interpretation of Results
f) Fugitive Gas Emissions and Legislation
g) Issues in Coal Seam Gas Water Management

NOTE: Courses will run subject to interest

Additional courses will be added to the training program