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.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR COURSES 6 & 7
Course 6: Principles of Groundwater Monitoring in Relation to Coal Mining 24 - 28 June
Course 7: Australian Coal Basins 10 - 14 June
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 are including those that will run in 2012, and 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
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
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2. Fundamentals of Coal Exploration**
Co-ordinator: Mr John Edwards
This course will run in a future cohort
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 in a future cohort
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
4. Lithological, Geotechnical and Geophysical Logging
Co-ordinator: Dr Judy Bailey
Course to be run in late 2013
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 to be run March 18 - 22, 2013 REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN
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)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND HOW TO REGISTER
6. Principles of Groundwater Monitoring in Relation to Coal Mining
Co-ordinator: Dr Boyd Dent
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
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
7. Australian Coal Basins
Co-ordinator: Dr Judy Baily 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
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
8. Advanced Coal and Mineral Processing
Co-ordinator: Mr Bob Jackson
Course to be run in late 2013
Objective: The course provides an appreciation of the place of coal and minerals processing in the Australian economy; a fundamental knowledge of geology and mining leading to the understanding of the concepts of ores and their processing needs. Knowledge of how crushing and grinding of coal and ores liberates the valuable component. An understanding of the scientific principles of size and density distribution of minerals and its application to size and density separation process. Understanding of the economic importance of the concentration of valuable minerals and how this is achieved. An appreciation of the safety and environmental requirements of the mining industry. An understanding of the design of coal/mineral processing plants.
a) Size Classification: screens and hydrocyclones
b) Mineral Concentration: roughing and cleaning, removal of gangue material from valuable products by gravity techniques, heavy medium separation, flotation
c) Detailed Study of Selected Recent Innovative Gravity Separation and Flotation Technologies
d) Environmental and Safety Considerations Specific to the Mining Industry
e) Flowsheets of Coal and Mineral Processing Operations
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