DEPARTMENT of MINING ENGINEERING

Introduction:

Mining Engineering Department of the Isfahan University of Technology (IUT) offers two Bachelor of Science degrees (B.Sc.) in Mining Exploration and Mining Exploitation. Mining Exploration and Rock Mechanics are also offered as the two master degrees at the graduate level.

RESEACH ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

The department of Mining Engineering consists of three main programs of Mining exploration, Mining Exploitation and Rock Mechanics. The research activities and industrial projects are basically done in the graduate levels individually or by teams, mostly in Mining Exploration and Rock Mechanics. The industry oriented research and projects are done in our university-based company (Zamin Pajouhan Ofogh).

The research activities and research interests of the Department and the university-based company are as follows.

1- Mining Exploration

Mining or mineral exploration is the joint application of procedures and techniques capable of finding ore deposits (commercially viable concentrations of minerals) for mining industry. Mineral exploration is a much more intensive, organized and professional form of mineral prospecting and, though it frequently makes use of prospecting, it is more detailed and extensive. Stages of mineral exploration include area selection, target definition or generation, resource evaluation, reserve definition and evaluation. Exploration geophysics, exploration geochemistry, remote sensing, GIS, resource/reserve evaluation and oil exploration are the main research interests in Mining Exploration section of the faculty.

Exploration Geophysics: Exploration geophysics is the applied branch of geophysics which uses surface methods to measure the physical properties of the subsurface Earth, in order to detect or infer the presence and position of concentrations of ore minerals and hydrocarbons. In general, geophysics is the study of the Earth by the quantitative observation of its physical properties, in particular by seismic, electromagnetic, radioactivity, Induced Polarization (IP/RS), Resistivity (RS) and potential field (such as gravity and magnetism) methods. Exploration geophysics can be used to directly detect the target style of mineralization, via direct measurement of its physical properties. For example, one may measure the density contrasts between iron ore and silicate wall rocks, or may measure the conductivity contrast between conductive sulfide minerals and barren silicate minerals. Exploration geophysics is also used to map the subsurface structure of a region, to elucidate the underlying structures, spatial distribution of rock units, and to detect structures such as faults, folds and intrusive rocks. This is an indirect method for assessing the likelihood of ore deposits or hydrocarbon accumulations.

At Mining Engineering Department, geophysical instruments such as Electrical techniques (IP/RS) and ground magnetics are available and widely used in both undergraduate and graduate research levels as well as in mineral exploration, outside the department, in industry.

Exploration Geochemistry: The primary role of geochemistry, here used to describe assaying or geological media, in mineral exploration is to find an area anomalous in the commodity sought, or in elements known to be associated with the type of explored mineralization.

Regional geochemical exploration has traditionally involved the use of stream sediments to target potentially mineralized catchments. Follow-up geochemical surveys commonly use soils as the sampling media, possibly via the collection of a grid of samples over the tenement or areas which are amenable to soil geochemistry. Once the geochemical analyses are returned, the data is investigated for anomalies (single or multiple elements) that may be related to the presence of mineralization. The geochemical anomaly is often field checked against the outcropping geology and, in modern geochemistry, normalized against the regolith type and landform, to reduce the effects of weathering, transported materials and landforms. Geochemical anomalies may be spurious or related to low-grade or sub-grade mineralization. In order to determine whether this is the case, geochemical anomalies must be drilled in order to test them for the existence of economic concentrations of mineralization, or even to determine why they exist. The presence of some chemical elements may indicate the presence of a certain mineral. Chemical analysis of rocks and plants may indicate the presence of an underground deposit. For instance, elements like arsenic and antimony are associated with gold deposits and hence, are examples of pathfinder elements. Tree buds can be sampled for pathfinder elements in order to help locate deposits.

Geochemical laboratory of the Mining Engineering depart is equipped with Atomic Adsorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and other associated instruments, which are used to measure different element concentrations in soil, rocks and stream sediments.

Remote Sensing and GIS: Aerial photography is a traditional remote sensing tool in assessing mineral exploration tenements, as it gives it gives the explorer information on both the orientation and location of tracks, roads, fences, habitation, as well as the ability to at least qualitatively map outcrops and regolith systematics and vegetation cover across a region. Aerial photography was first used after World War II and has been heavily adopted from 1960's.

Since the advent of cheap and declassified Landsat images in the late 1970's and early 1980's, mineral exploration has begun to use satellite imagery to map not only the visual light spectrum over mineral exploration tenements but also the spectra which are beyond the visible. In the regions devoid of cover and vegetation, satellite based spectroscopes allow the modern mineral explorationists to directly map minerals. Improvements in the resolution of modern commercially based satellites have also improved the utility of satellite imagery; for instance IKONIS and Quick Bird satellite images can be generated with 60cm to 100cm pixel size.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used in mineral exploration to create a data base and integrate different exploration layers to define the subtle mineral exploration anomalies and introduce high potential targets for further exploration.

At the Cartographic laboratory of the department, RS and GIS are widely used by different experts in different aspects of mineral exploration.

Evaluation: Resource evaluation is undertaken to quantify the grade and tonnage of a mineral occurrence. This is achieved primarily by drilling to sample the prospective horizon, lode or strata where the minerals of interest occur. The ultimate aim is to generate a density of drilling sufficient to satisfy the economic and statutory standards of an ore resource. Depending on the financial situation and the size of the deposit and the structure of the company, the amount of details required to generate this resource and the stage at which extraction can commence varies; for small partnerships and private non-corporate enterprises a very low level of detail is required; whereas; for corporations which require debt equity (loans) to build capital intensive extraction infrastructure, the rigor necessary for resource estimation is far greater. For large cash rich companies working on small ore bodies, they may work only to a level necessary to satisfy their internal risk assessments before extraction commences. Resource estimation may require pattern drilling on a set grid, and in the case of sulfide minerals, will usually require some form of geophysics such as down-hole probing of drillholes, to geophysically delineate ore body continuity within the ground. The aim of resource evaluation is to expand the known size of the deposit and mineralisation. A scoping study is often carried out on the ore deposit during this stage to determine whether there may be enough ore at a sufficient grade to warrant extraction; if there is not further resource evaluation, drilling may be necessary. In other cases, several smaller individually uneconomic deposits may be socialised into a 'mining camp' and extracted in tandem. Further exploration and testing of anomalies may be required to find or define these other satellite deposits.

Reserve definition is undertaken to convert a mineral resource into an ore reserve, which is an economic asset. The process is similar to resource evaluation, except that it is more intensive and technical, and is aimed at statistically quantifying the grade continuity and the mass of ore. Reserve definition also takes into account the milling and extractability characteristics of the ore, and generates bulk samples for metallurgical testwork, involving crushability, floatability and other ore recovery parameters. Reserve definition includes geotechnical assessment and engineering studies of the rocks within and the surrounding of the deposit to determine the potential instabilities of the proposed open pit or underground mining methods. This process may involve drilling diamond core samples to derive structural information on weaknesses within the rock mass such as faults, foliations, joints and shearing. At the end of this process, a feasibility study is published, and the ore deposit may be either deemed uneconomic or economic.

Hydrocarbon exploration: Hydrocarbon exploration (or oil and gas exploration) is the search by petroleum exploration geologists for hydrocarbon deposits beneath the Earth's surface, such as oil and gas. Oil and gas exploration are grouped under the science of petroleum geology.

Visible surface features such as oil seeps, natural gas seeps, pockmarks (underwater craters caused by escaping gas) provide basic evidence of hydrocarbon generation (be it shallow or deep in the Earth). However, most exploration depends on highly sophisticated technology to detect and determine the extent of these deposits using exploration geophysics and exploration geochemistry. Areas thought to contain hydrocarbons are initially subjected to a gravity survey, magnetic survey, passive seismic or regional seismic reflection surveys to detect large scale features of the sub-surface geology. Features of interest (known as leads) are subjected to more detailed seismic surveys which work on the principle of the time it takes for reflected sound waves to travel through matter (rock) of varying densities and using the process of depth conversion to create a profile of the substructure. Finally, when a prospect has been identified and evaluated and passed the oil company's selection criteria, an exploration well is drilled in an attempt to conclusively determine the presence or absence of oil or gas. Oil exploration is an expensive, high-risk operation. Offshore and remote area exploration is generally undertaken by very large corporations or national governments.

2. Rock Mechanics

Currently, the Rock Mechanics group in Department of Mining Engineering at IUT has 1 full-time Associated Professor and 3 full-time Assistant Professors whose research topics and teaching interests cover the whole range of Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. The research areas are as follows:

Dam: Many large structures, such as hydroelectric dams are built in Iran. The design and construction of these large dams provides unique opportunities for research projects. Many of these dams that were constructed after Islamic Revolution in Iran have extensive instrumentation to track their long-term performance. Consequently, research opportunities exist to evaluate the performance of these structures and their foundations.

Geo-environmental: Geo-environmental Engineering broadly relates to the interaction of contaminants and wastes with the geo-sphere. It encompasses a large number of problems that can be broadly classified into 3 main areas: landfills and other waste containment facilities, mine waste geotechnics, and assessment and remediation of contaminated sites. Our Geo-environmental engineering research includes a working of geology, hydrology and hydrogeology, geochemistry, soil mechanics, slope and embankment behavior, water seepage and drainage, and site characterization (working with a team).

Numerical Modeling: Many of our research projects have a numerical modeling component. In some circumstances new software is developed, for example, the distinct element methods and discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) for both rigid and deformable blocks and particle systems, and also the discrete fracture network (DFN) approach for fluid flow simulations. In many cases this simply means using commercially available software such as the Itasca codes FLAC, PFC and 3DEC, the DDM software and the software available from Rocscience Inc.

Site Investigation: Site investigation is a major element for almost all geotechnical projects. Research is underway at IUT to study improved methods to carry out and interpret site investigations. Advancements in deformability and stress measurement testing, geological data collection, rock strength properties and their measurement, surface monitoring methods and continuous movement monitoring by nanotechnology (high-resolution tilt) are under study.

Rock Engineering: Rock engineering entails the essential elements of:

(1) Geological data collection.

(2) Laboratory testing of rock.

(3) Rock mass classification.

(4) Rock mass strength.

(5) In-situ stress measurement.

(6) In-situ rock mass deformation determination.

(7) Groundwater problems.

(8) Rock reinforcement.

(9) Excavation methods.

(10) Analytical tools.

Research opportunities exist related to all aspects of rock engineering. The present focus is on the in-situ rock mass deformation determination by different types of loading and stress measurements. All rock engineering research entails laboratory testing and the use of numerical tools such as FLAC, 3DEC, Examine3D, Phase2, Dips and Unwedge.

Slopes: The linkage between the traditional limit equilibrium stability of natural and man-made slopes and deformations is problematic. Limit Equilibrium Analyses (LEA) are only concerned with balancing forces and moments and the linkage between (LEA) and deformations is usually made through experience. However, in many situations, the deformations are seldom considered when evaluating the stability of a natural or man-made slope. This separation between LEA and deformation has developed, in part, because the technology, i.e., computers and software, were not available as the subject knowledge was developed. Today, situation has greatly changed and commercial numerical software such as FLAC, DDM, PLAXIS, and ABAQUS can quickly provide the deformation of a slope. Now, the challenge is what properties do we assign for the analysis and how do we prescribe the failure process. This is the focus for much of our research on slope stability.

Tunnels: Research projects related to underground excavations in soft ground and rock are currently underway. A common goal is evaluating the near face response and developing support strategies for a wide range of ground conditions. Instrumented rock support, field studies together with numerical modeling using FLAC3D, PHASE2, 3DEC, PLAXIS and ABAQUS form the core for most of these research projects.

Tailings Dams: Transient and long term geotechnical stability of tailings storage facilities-static liquefaction, drainage, compaction and high deposition rate problems.

Geomechanical mine design: Stability of slopes and mine developments during the life of a mine plan, stability of shafts, raises, ore passes, and underground chambers.

Rockburst Phenomena: Assessment of burst potential based on energy release and storage parameters, stability of highly stressed mining fronts and pillars, laboratory evaluation of bi-axially loaded rock, biaxial rock failure criteria.

De-stressing: Design, modeling, and evaluation of de-stress blasting in different mining environments, dynamic modeling of blast-induced rock fractures under confinement.

B.Sc. Undergraduate Program

Undergraduate students would take hundred forty credits to obtain a B.Sc. degree. The curriculums for the Degree of Bachelor Science in Mining Exploration and Mining Exploitation are listed in tables 1 to 4.

Curriculum (Core Courses) for a Degree of B. Sc. in Mining Exploration

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
Semester I (Fall)
1212101	General Geology	2
1510160	Engineering Drawings 1	1
1914101	Calculus I	4
2110103	General Chemistry (major in Eng.)	3
2110104	General Chemistry Lab	1
1212102	Field Excursion	1
2410101	General Work Shop	1
	General Course
Semester II (Spring)
1914102	Calculus II	4
2010115	General Physics l	3
1610104	Static	3
1212114	Analytical Chemistry	2
1212108	Optical Mineralogy	1
1212123	Mineralogy and lab	3
	General Course
Semester III (Fall)
2010125	General Physics ll	3
2010126	General Physic Lab. (Electricity)	1
1914251	Elementary Differential Equations	3
1612212	Strength of Materials	3
1212202	Petrology I & lab	2
1212203	Physical Chemistry	2
1914252	Engineering Mathematics	3
	General Course
Semester IV (Spring)
1212204	Petrology II & Lab	2
1212228	Graphic Methods of Structural Geology	1
1212206	Structural Geology (Tectonics)	2
1514266	Fluid Mechanics	3
1730150	Computer Programming	3
1212205	Rock Mechanics	2
1212208	Rock Mechanics Lab	1
1914271	Numerical Methods	2
	General Course
Semester V (Fall)
1212346	Economic Geology ( Metallic Ore Deposits )	2
1212305	Geotechnics	2
1912291	Engineering Statistics and Probability	3
1212304	Exploratory Drilling	2
1212326	Field Geology	2
1212347	Geology of Ore Deposit in Iran	2
1212349	Mine surveying	2
1212307	General Surveying Practice	1
1212229	Remote Sensing & Photogeology	1
	General Course
Semester VI (Spring)
1212309	Exploration Geophysics I	2
1212308	Exploration Geochemistry I	2
1212313	Mineralography	1
1212312	Principles of Mine Exploitation	3
1212351	Workshop Training	2
1212348	Economic Geology of Non-Metallic ore deposits	2
1212430	Mineral Processing	3
1510256	Mining engineering Drawing	1
	General Course
Semester VII (Fall)
1212401	Exploration Geochemistry II	2
1212403	Well-logging	2
1212405	Exploration Project	3
1212402	Exploration Geophysics II	2
1212325	Field Geophysics I	1
1212431	Prospecting and Exploration of ore Deposits	2
1212432	Analysis and interpretation of Exploration Data	2
	Elective Course
Semester VIII (Spring)
1212311	Evaluation of Mineral Deposits	2
1212408	Mineral Economics	2
1212417	Water Recourses Engineering	3
2510013	English Language in mining engineering	2
	Elective Course

Curriculum (Elective Courses) for a Degree of B. Sc. in Mining Exploration

Course Code	Elective Course	Credits
301_10_12	Civil Engineering	2
302_10_12	Coal Recourses & Technology	2
303_10_12	Gas & Petroleum Resources	2
305_10_12	Application of Computer in Mining	2
315_10_12	Petroleum Geology	2
318_10_12	Coal Geology	2
320_10_12	Mineral Applications	2
340_10_12	Principles of Mining	2
413_10_12	Mine Safety	2
414_10_12	Operational Research	2
417_10_12	Statistical Methods in Geology	2
419_10_12	Fossil Fuels	2
423_10_12	Mining Specific Subject	2
424_10_12	Mining Specific Subject	2
425_10_12	Mining Specific Subject	2
426_10_12	Physical Metallurgy I	2
427_10_12	Thermo Dina Metallurgy	2
428_10_12	Soil & Rock Mechanics	2
429_10_12	Chemical Mineralogy	2
430_10_12	General Physics(Electricity & Magnetism)	2
431_10_12	Physical Metallurgy Lab I	2

Curriculum (Core Courses) for a Degree of B. Sc. in Mining Exploitation

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
Semester I (Fall)
1212101	General Geology	2
1510158	Engineering Drawings 1	2
1914101	Calculus I	4
2110103	General Chemistry (major in Eng.)	3
2110104	General Chemistry Lab	1
1212102	Field Excursion	1
2410101	General Work Shop	1
2010115	General Physics l	3
	General Course
Semester II (Spring)
1914102	Calculus II	4
1214103	Mine Excursion	1
1214104	Mineralogy & Lab	4
1610104	Static	3
2010116	General Physics Lab. l (Heat)	1
2410151	Auto mechanic work shop	1
2010125	General Physics ll	3
	General Course
Semester III (Fall)
1214201	Blast Hole Drilling & Blasting Technique	2
1214202	Petrology & Lab	3
1610208	Dynamics for non-Civil Students	3
1512213	Strength of Materials (Non-ME students)	2
1914251	Elementary Differential Equations	3
	General Course
Semester IV (Spring)
1214203	Shaft Sinking and Tunneling	2
1212206	Structural Geology (Tectonics)	2
1214206	Cartography and Photogeology	1
1514266	Fluid Mechanics	3
1212203	Physical Chemistry	2
1730150	Computer Programming	3
1914252	Engineering Mathematics	3
	General Course
Semester V (Fall)
1214204	Rock Mechanics & Lab	3
1214301	Mine Draining	2
1912291	Engineering Statistics and Probability	3
1212306	General Surveying	2
1212307	General Surveying Practice	1
1710250	Electrical Engineering Fundamentals	3
	General Course
Semester VI (Spring)
1914271	Numerical Methods	2
1214304	Support in Mining	2
1214305	Economic Geology	2
1214306	Surface Mining Methods	2
1214307	Field Geology	1
1214308	Thermal Machines	2
1214309	Transportation in Mines	2
1212314	Machine Elements	1
1214404	Mineral Processing & Lab	3
	General Course
Semester VII (Fall)
1214401	Mine Ventilation	2
1214402	Underground Mining Methods	3
1214403	Technical Services in Mine	2
1214405	Evaluation of Mineral Deposits	2
1214406	Excavation Project	3
1212351	Workshop Training	2
	Elective Course
Semester VIII (Spring)
1212407	Mine Surveying	2
1214408	Principles of Mine Planning	2
1212408	Mineral Economics	2
	Elective Course

Curriculum (Elective Courses) for a Degree of B. Sc. in Mining Exploitation

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
301_10_12	Civil Engineering	2
302_10_12	Coal Recourses & Technology	2
303_10_12	Gas & Petroleum Resources	2
305_10_12	Application of Computer in Mines	2
315_10_12	Petroleum Geology of Deposits	2
318_10_12	Coal Geology	2
320_10_12	Mineral Application	2
340_10_12	Principles of Mining	2
413_10_12	Mining safety	2
414_10_12	Operational Research	2
417_10_12	Statistical Methods in Geology	2
419_10_12	Fossil Fuels	2
423_10_12	Mining Specific Subject	2
424_10_12	Mining Specific Subject	2
425_10_12	Mining Specific Subject	2
426_10_12	Physical Metallurgy I	2
427_10_12	Thermo Dina metallurgy	2
428_10_12	Soil & Rock Mechanics	2
429_10_12	Mineralogy for chemists	2
430_10_12	General Physics(Electricity & Magnetism)	2
431_10_12	Physical Metallurgy Lab I	2

Undergraduate Course Descriptions

1914101 Calculus I 4 Cr. Study of single variable calculus, numerical sequences, limits, continuity differentiation, extreme function values, The definite integrals, applications of the definite integrals, Inverse functions, logarithmic and exponential functions, inverse trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, techniques of integration, indeterminate forms, improper integrals, Taylor’s formulae, infinite series. Prerequisite : Precalculus

2110103 General Chemistry (major in Eng.) 3 Cr. Stoichiometry, gases thermo chemistry, atomic structure, solutions of acids and bases, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics

2110104 General Chemistry Lab 1 Cr. Independent laboratory work under the supervision of a facility member of the chemistry department.

1212102 Field Excursion 1 Cr. Field study of important geological facies and Phenomena. Prerequisite : General Geology 1212101

1914102 Calculus II 4 Cr. Study of several variable calculus: Euclidean geometry matrices, linear transformation, elementary topology of Rn, limits, derivative as linear operator, directional and partial derivatives, extreme function values, Lagrange multiplier, multivariable and iterated integrals, change of variable theorem, parametric curves and surfaces, line integral, surface integral, vector analysis, green stokes and divergence theorem.

2010126 General Physic Lab. (Electricity) 1 Cr. Measurement of resistively, verification of Ohm's and Kirchhoff's laws, study of capacitors, hysteresis curves, R-C and R-L circuits, oscilloscope, Biot and Savart's law.

1914251 Elementary Differential Equations 3 Cr. Methods of solving especial classes of ordinary differential equation including linear, bernulli, separable and exact first order equation, reduction of order, variation of parameter, undetermined coefficients, power series methods, and Laplace transform methods in second order linear equation and autonomous system of linear differential equations. Systems of first order differential equations, exponential matrix.

1212204 Petrology II & Lab 2 Cr. Sedimentary and metamorphic classifications, Genesis, Processes, Chemical composition, Minerals, Environments, Relations with plate tectonics. Prerequisite : Petrology I & Lab 1212202; Mineralogy I & Lab 1212123

1212206 Structural Geology (Tectonics) 2 Cr. Introduction to tectonics, forces causing tectonic, anticlinal, synclinal, faults, types of foldings, files data analysis, diagrams, Schmitt net and Kluft rose diagram and its interpretations.

1514266 Fluid Mechanics 3 Cr. Definitions and general concepts. Fluid statics. Fluid kinematics. Conservation laws of mass, energy, and momentum and their applications. Incompressible flow in closed conduits.

1212205 Rock Mechanics 2 Cr. Stress, Strain and stress analysis. Mohr circle, Failure criteria. Earth stress. Induct stress, Concentration stress, stress around the underground opening measurements of in-situ stress, Rock mass classification, Stability of rock slope. Prerequisites : Strength of Materials 1612212; Petrology II & Lab 1212204

1914271 Numerical Methods 2 Cr. Errors and the sources, solving nonlinear equations solving systems of linear and nonlinear equations, interpolation, numerical differentiation and integrations, solving ordinary differential equations. Prerequisite : Calculus II 1914102; Elementary Differential Equation 1914251

1212305 Geotechnics 2 Cr. Classification and identification of soil, soil water, permeability and flow, shear strength of soils, stability slopes, element of stress analysis, site investigation. Prerequisite : Rock Mechanics 1212205

1212309 Exploration Geophysics I 2 Cr. Seismic prospecting, seismic recording instruments, Interpretation of seismic reflection data, gravity prospecting and field measurements and reduction, Interpretation of gravity data, magnetic prospecting, magnetic surveying techniques, interpretation of magnetic data.

1212308 Exploration Geochemistry I 2 Cr. Geochemical dispersion and migration of elements, geochemical index (pathfinder and indicator elements), geochemical mapping, analytical methods, statistical analysis of geochemical data (monovariable and multivariable). Prerequisites : Engineering Statistics and Probability 1912291; Engineering Mathematics 1914252, Structural Geology (Tectonics) 1212206, General Physics l 2010115

1212313 Mineralography 1 Cr. The preparation of samples, physical and optical properties of opaque minerals , reflectance theory. Micro chemical methods, paragenesis, textures, characteristics of common ore minerals.

1212312 Principles of Mine Exploitation 3 Cr. Explosives, blasting, tunneling, shaft sinking, mining methods (surface & underground), mine support, ventilation, safety transportation in mines, mine lighting, drainage.

1212403 Well-logging 2 Cr. Field operation, permeability, saturation, reservoir geometry, temperature and pressure, Log interpretation, resistivity formation factor and porosity, water saturation, resistivity logging, S.P logging, gamma ray logging. Sonic, density, and nextron logs, induction logging, electromagnetic propagation logs, well bore seismic. Prerequisite : Drilling 1212304

1212405 Exploration Project 3 Cr. The basic purpose of exploration project is to be familiar with analysis of geological and mining field techniques.

1212311 Evaluation of Mineral Deposits 2 Cr. Exploratory tunnels, bore holes and bore hole grid plans, estimation and evaluation, sampling and evaluation extracting. Prerequisite : Analysis and interpretation of Exploration Data 1212432

1212408 Mineral Economics 2 Cr. Introduction to general economics, energy resources, gross National Product, mineral production of Iran and its role in the national economy, exploration and mining Costs, financing mining projects, feasibility Study. Prerequisite : Engineering Statistics and Probability 1212291

1214103 Excursion to Mines 1 Cr. Visiting different mines in the first year

1214104 Mineralogy & Lab 4 Cr. Crystallography, Structure and chemistry of minerals, calculation of chemical formula, physical and chemical properties. Different classes of silicates and non-silicates, Laboratory.

2010116 Gen. Physics Lab. l (Heat) 1 Cr. Thermal expansion, heat conduction, specific heat, calorimetry, the mechanical equivalent of heat, surface tension.

1214201 Blast Hole Drilling & Blasting Technique 2 Cr. Rock drills, jumbo drills, drilling pattern, composition of explosives, fuses, detonation instruments and facilities, blasting, compressed air consumption, safety regulations according to the blasting. Prerequisite : Excursion to Mines 1214103

1214202 Petrology & Lab 3 Cr. Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic petrology including classifications, genesis, processes, chemical, composition and minerals. Experimental petrology, environment relation with plate tectonic and laboratory. Prerequisite : General Geology 1212101; Mineralogy and Lab 1214104

1512213 Strength of Materials (Non-ME students) 2 Cr. Stress. Stress tensor. Equilibrium equation. Strain. Stress-strain relation. Hook's law. Torsion problem. Bending of beams. Transformation of stress. Deflection of beams.

1214203 Shaft Sinking and Tunneling 2 Cr. Types of tunnels, tunneling methods, tunnel supporting, shaft sinking in hard rocks and strata, shaft lining, shaft sinking in water tables, special methods for shaft sinking, a short description to explosives and borehole drilling as well as blasting technique.

1214206 Cartography and Photogeology 1 Cr. Topographic and geological maps and cross sections, application of aerial photographs in drawing geological maps.

1214204 Rock Mechanics & Lab 3 Cr. Stress, strain and stress analysis, Mohr circle, failure criteria, earth stress, induct stress, concentration stress, stress around the underground opening measurements of in situ stress, rock mass classification, stability of rock slope.

1214304 Support in Mining 2 Cr. RMR, Q System, RSR, Underground stress analysis, Support equipment, Rock boiling, Shotcrete and steel rips in mining stress and strain criteria. Prerequisite : Drilling and Blasting 1214201; Rock Mechanics & Lab 1214204

1214305 Economic Geology 2 Cr. Modern theories of ore-bearing fluids, migration of ore, deposition, alteration, gangue, paragenesis, zoning, geo-thermometry, isotopic studies, classification of ore deposits, magmatic, pegmatitic, metamorphic, hydrothermal, volcanogenic and sedimentary deposits, metamorphism of ores. Metallogenic provinces and epochs.

1214306 Surface Mining Methods 2 Cr. Mine development, stripping, open Pit, quarries, drilling, blasting, excavation and loading, haulage and transportation, economics aspects, stripping ratio, cut off Grade.

1214307 Field Geology 1 Cr. Field geology, preparing geological maps and sections in an area with topographical maps and aerial photographs. Applying some instruments such as compass.

1214309 Transportation in Mines 2 Cr. Railway, Conveyor, Chain conveyors, Chutes, Construction of railroads in mines, Rope Ways, Shaft hauledge, Vertical transportation by pipes in both directions, Hydraulic transportation, Man riding and material transportation. Prerequisite : Drilling and Blasting 1214201

1212314 Machine Elements 1 Cr. Welding, screws, keys, springs, shafts, ball bearings, roller bearings, clutches, gears, belts, friction, solid couplings, flexible coupling, brakes.

1214404 Mineral Processing & Lab 3 Cr. Crushing, grinding, classification, screening, gravity concentration, electrostatic and magnetic separation, floatation, thickening, filtering, drying, storage.

1214402 Underground Mining Methods 3 Cr. Definition and naming of methods, long wall mining, cut and fill, shrinkage, sublevel, block caving methods, open stopes. Stopes with supporting roof, combined mining methods, methods for mine steep seams and veins.

1214403 Technical Services in Mine 2 Cr. Mine lighting (personal and general), water supply and drainage, workshops, compressed air, compressors, mine electrical power circuit safety.

1214405 Principal of Exploration & Evaluation of Mineral Deposits 2 Cr. Criteria and guidelines for prospecting, exploratory tunnels, bore holes and bore hole grid plans. Estimation and evaluation, sampling and evaluation extracting.

1214406 Excavation Project 3 Cr. A research on a subject of excavation.

1212407 Mine Surveying 2 Cr. Introduction, differences between mine and general surveying, underground surveying, marking of points orientation, transfer of points and directions. Prerequisite : General Surveying Practice 1212306

1214408 Principles of Mine Planning 2 Cr. Calculation of production. Opening a mine, planning of mine network, considering the laws, regulation and instruction for mine planning, using the diagrams, graphs and tables for mine planning.

1212408 Mineral Economics 2 Cr. Introduction to general economics, energy resources, gross National Product, mineral production of Iran and its role in the national economy, exploration and mining Costs, financing mining projects, feasibility Study. Prerequisite : Engineering Statistics and Probability 1912291

1214301 Mine Draining 2 Cr. Specifications of Confine and Unconfined aquifer, Darcy’s low, Determination of permeability coefficient in Laboratory and field, equivalent permeability in layer medium, prevent of waterpollution in mining, dewatering in canals, Design storage and pipe line, pump Types, specification curve of centrifugal pumps, application of pumps, cavitations, NPSH, Similarity in pumps Prerequisite : Fluid Mechanics 1514266, Shaft Sinking and Tunneling 1214203

1214401 Mine Ventilation 2 Cr. Review some elementary thermodynamic, Gases in subsurface, Methane and coal dust, The hazardous nature of dusts, Airflow through Roadways and ducts, Ventilation network analysis, Auxiliary ventilations, Fans, Ventilation layout, Subsurface fires and explosions, Safety Prerequisite : Fluid Mechanics 1514266, Shaft Sinking and Tunneling 1214203

1212101 General Geology 2 Cr. Introduction, Mineralogy, Igneous rocks, weathering and ground water, clacier, Time and dating in geology, Deformation of the crust, Internal Structure of the earth, volcanism and magmatism activities, Sea-Floor Spreading, Plate tectonic, earthquake.

1212202 Petrology I & Lab 2 Cr. Introduction, Geological Shape of the plutonic and volcanic body, Structures and texture, Minerals, Classification of the Igneous rocks, Descriptive of the major of the Igneous rocks, Petrology and origin of the Igneous rocks, Experimental of petrology. Prerequisite : Optical Mineralogy 1212108, Mineralogy & Lab 1212123

1212123 Mineralogy & Lab 3 Cr. Crystallography: Definition of crystals, primitive cell, Laws in crystallography miller’s Indices, The Law zone, crystallography systems and thirty-two crystal classes, crystal growth and Twining.
Mineralogy: Physical properties of mineral (crystal habits, aggregate…), Physical and chemical of the Non-Silicates, Physical and chemical of the Silicates. Prerequisite : General Geology 1212101, General Chemistry 2110103

1212108 Optical Mineralogy 1 Cr. Theories of Light-Indices of refraction-The polarizing microscope-study of the minerals by orthoscopic by using of microscope: Olivine, Pyroxene, Amphiboles, Biotite, Muscovite, Quartz, Feldspar, Calcite….Prerequisite : General Geology 1212101, General Chemistry 2110103

1212402 Exploration Geochemistry II 2 Cr. Litho-geochemical Exploration (Rock and Soil), Hydro-geochemical Exploration, Atmo-Geochemical Exploration, Bio-geochemical Exploration, Isotope Geochemistry, Hydrocarbon Exploration Prerequisite : Exploration Geochemistry I 1212308

1612212 Strength of Material 3 Cr. Definition of stress, loading, stress tensor, safety factor, strain; stress-strain relationship; Hoek's law; elastic modulus; creep; thermal deformation; Poison's ratio; torque definition, stress concentration during torque; bending, stress concentration during bending; stress in a beam; principal stresses, drawing and application of Mohr's circle; residual stresses; strain analysis and measuring in 3D. Prerequisite : Static 1610104

1610104 Static 3 Cr. Definition of force, torque, couple process; force projection and analysis; force analysis in 2D and 3D; combination of force and torque; force equilibrium; application of static in engineering works; internal and external forces; force and torque analysis in beams; stress analysis, torque and bending in beams; analysis in complex beams. Prerequisite : Calculus I 1914101

1212347 Geology of Ore Deposit in Iran 2 Cr. Introduction to basic of stratigraphy, Stratigraphic Units (Lithostratigraphy, Biostratigraghy, Chronostratigrphy), Lithostratigraph Units in Iran (Albroz/Zagros, Central Iran. Koped Dagh), Precainbrian in Iran (Sedimentation Metamorphism Magmatism and tectonic phase), Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Tertiary and Quaternary in Iran, Ore deposits Forming in Iran. Prerequisite : Pertology II 1212204

1212229 Remote Sensing & Photogeology 1 Cr. Field Geology Theoretical & practical Structural Geology
Goal: How to prepare the Geological Maps & Sections, How to use the Maps & Applications in Mining exploitation Syllabus: Topographic Maps & preparing cross sections, Interpretation of Geological Maps (Especially Iran’s geological Maps) & preparing Crosse sections, Preparing Geological Maps on the base of Aerial photos and satellite imges, Measuring of deposit thickness & depth, Drawing of Structural Contour Lines & Isopach line, Using of Stereographic projection in Structural interpretation, Drawing Methods in Measurement of Faults displacement. Remote Sensing: Mapping lithological, alteration and structural controls of ore deposits. Prerequisite : Petrology II 1212204, Economic Geology ( Metallic Ore Deposits ) 1212346

GRADUATE PROGRAM (M.Sc.)

At the Mining Engineering Department of IUT two master degrees in Mining Exploration and Rock Mechanics are offered. Graduate students would take thirty two credits to obtain a M.Sc. degree. The 32 credits consist of 15 credits as core courses, 9 credits as elective courses, 2 credits as seminar and 6 credits as final thesis.

M. Sc. GRADUATE COURSES

Curriculum courses for M.Sc. Degree in Mining Exploration:

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Type
12501 12502 12503 12504 12505 12506 12507 12510 12512 12513 12516 12524 12526 12527 12529 12531 12530 12532 12533 12534 12535 12536	Feasibility Study of Projects Advanced Mathematics Designing Exploration Geophysics Projects Designing Exploration Geochemistry Projects Geostatistics Exploration of Metallic Mineral Deposits Exploration of Non-Metallic Mineral Deposits Advanced Geotechnics Seminar Sampling Advanced Geology of Iran Project Iran Metallogeny Advanced Mineral Processing Operational Research Petroleum Geology Mineral Economics Industrial Management Applications of Minerals Applied Geochemistry Advanced Hydrogeology Remote Sensing	2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 6 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2	Core Core Core Core Core Core Core Elective Core Elective Elective Core Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective

Curriculum for M. Sc. Degree in Rock Mechanics:

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Type
16550 16552 16553 16554 16555 12556 12502 12557 12510 12512 12524 12532 12535	Advanced Rock Mechanics Fundamentals of Elasticity Advanced Open Pit Mine Excavation Design Theory of Continum and Discontinum Mechanics Advanced Underground Excavation Design Numerical Methods in Rock Mechanics and Foundation Advanced Mathematics Field Test and Instrumentation Advanced Geotechnics Seminar Thesis Project Industrial Management Advanced Hydrogeology	2 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 6 2 2	Core Elective Core Core Core Elective Core Elective Elective Core Core Elective Elective

MINING EXPLORATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

12501 Feasibility Study of Projects: Factors affecting Capital investments, capital values and costs, interest rates, risks and sensitivity analysis, Net Present Value (NPV), Discount Cash Flow (DCF), Compound continuous and discontinuous interest methods, converting coefficients, Equal Annual Costs (EAC), Internal Return Rate (IRR), Comparative study on advantages and disadvantages
of above mentioned methods, Criteria for selecting equipment's and machinery, economic life of machines, industrial accounting, feasibility study of a mining project.

12502 Advanced Mathematics: Advanced theory of complex functions, review of the matrices and tensors, solutions of the Partial Differential Equations (PDE), integral transforms, orthogonality conditions of functions, Storm-Liuville problems, special functions such as Bessel, Legendre, Gamma, Hermit, Gauss and Lagurre functions, theory and application of the variational principle and perturbation theory.

12503 Designing Exploration Geophysics Projects: Position of exploration geophysics in sequential exploration program, selection of the appropriate geophysical methods according to the type of deposits, designing optimal geophysical survey grids, geometry of deposits, filtering raw data, cost functions and estimates, performing above designing rules on an assumed typical deposit.

12504 Designing Exploration Geochemistry Projects: Methods for evaluating the probabilities of detecting deposits and/or their haloes, role of deposits shapes and geometry's, theory of geometric probability, evaluation methods, cost estimations, theory and strategies of optimization for mineral deposits, optimization for different type of deposits such as porphyritic Cu-Mo, Contact metamorphosed ultrabasic Ni-Cu, volcanogenic massive sulfide ores, Micissipi types Pb-Zn and vein type gold deposits, selection of optimum drilling points.

12505 Geostatistics: Fundamental concepts of geostatistics, regional variables theory, variograms, covariograms, correlograms, regularization, estimation and dispersion variances, structural analysis based on variograms, geostatistical estimation, Point Kriging, Block Kriging, Linear Kriging, Non-Linear Kriging, geostatistical sampling.

12506 Exploration of Metallic Mineral Deposits: General characteristics of metallic deposits, their shapes, condition of formation, classification, description, prospecting and exploration methods of metallic deposits such as: 1) Ferrometals (Fe, Mn. Cr, Ti and V deposits), 2) Nonferrous metals (Al, Mg, Cu, Pb, Zn. Ni, Co, Mo, Sn, W, Sb deposits), 3) Precious metals (Au, Ag, Pt group (PGE), 4) Light rare metallic elements (such as Li and Be), 5) Heavy rare metallic elements (Nb, Ta, Rare Earth Elements (REE) such as Ce, La, Y ...).

12507 Exploration of Non - Metallic Mineral Deposits: Soils and construction rocks (gravel, sands, clays, brick material, road material, ceramics, refractory clays, refractory sands such as Silimanite, Disthene, Chromite, Magnesite and Dolomite), quality, mineralogy and methodology for exploration of above deposits; industrial minerals (geology, mineralogy and exploration of Asbestos, Bentonite, Borates and Diatomites); Precious rocks and Jewelry; Igneous deposits (Feldespars, Nepheline, Syenite, Mica, Granite and ...); Phosphate, sulphate, Quartz, Barite, Talk and so on deposits; Salty deposits; Radioactive deposits (Uranium, Thorium and so on); Coal deposits.

12508 Seminar: A topic related to the exploration of deposits which should be surveyed throughout existing literature and then writing a seminar report in appropriate format.

12509 M.Sc Thesis: A research topic in applied exploration related discipline or inter-disciplinary fields.

ROCK MECHANICS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

16550 Advanced Rock Mechanics:

Physical and mechanical properties of intact rocks and rock masses and the effects of discontinuity features; intact rock classifications; rock mass classifications; types of discontinuity features in rock masses; observation and measuring geometrical and mechanical properties of single fractures; deformability of rock masses; measuring rock mass properties in field; rock dynamics; time dependency of mechanical properties of rocks; stress around the cavities.

16552 Fundamentals of Elasticity:

Apply the fundamentals of elasticity to engineering problems. Comparison with solutions obtained by using elementary strength of materials in solving engineering problems will be emphasized. It also covers Analysis of Stress and Strain, Two Dimensional Problems in Elasticity, Criteria for Material Failure, Axisymmetrically Loaded Members, Energy Methods, Special Topics, Thermal Stresses, Finite Difference, Finite Elements, Boundary Element Methods.

16553 Advanced Open Pit Mine Excavation Design:

This course covers the following topics:

Role of geology in open pit mining, engineering geology studies on design of open pit mining, in-situ stresses determination, stress distribution after excavation of open pit minings, ground treatment and stabilization methods, open pit mining in soft ground, support of pit in soft ground, excavation of pit openings in strong ground, quality assessment of open pit machineries, support of pit opening in strong ground, structural failure assessment on jointed rock masses and effects of dynamic loads on stability of pit openings

16554 Theory of Continum and Discontinum Mechanics:

This course covers the following topics:

Tension and vector analysis, strain, stress, kinematic elasticity, fluid movement equations.

16555 Advanced Underground Excavation Design:

This course covers role of geology in underground excavations, engineering geology studies on design of underground openings, in-situ stresses determination, stress distribution after excavation of underground openings, ground treatment and stabilization methods, excavation of underground openings in soft ground, support of underground openings in soft ground, excavation of underground openings in strong ground, quality assessment of underground excavations machineries, support of underground openings in strong ground, structural failure assessment on jointed rock masses and effects of dynamic loads on stability of underground openings

12512 Seminar: A topic related to rock mechanics which should be surveyed throughout existing literature and then writing a seminar report in appropriate format.

12524 Thesis Project: A research topic in applied exploration related discipline or inter-disciplinary fields