Introduction
This course provides a non-technical introduction to the basic concepts of mineral exploration, ore extraction, mineral processing, and mine waste management, with numerous examples, figures and images of mining. Also included are some key aspects of the economics of a mining and mineral processing operation and some ideas about the future of mining.
An Introduction to Mining and Mineral Processing is for everyone, except mining engineers, who needs a broad understanding of the mining industry without the technical details ... from investors, accountants and suppliers ... to geologists, chemists and metallurgists.
Content
The presentation is pictorial and conceptual in nature, and follows a light, easy-to-read format. The course comprises 31 short sessions, each of approximately 15 minutes viewing duration, plus five interactive reviews that confirm the viewer's achievement of learning objectives. The total duration of the course is approximately eight hours.
Dr. Scott Dunbar
From 1975 to 1996 Dr. Scott Dunbar worked for various engineering consulting organizations. His experience includes mining exploration, geotechnical engineering, mine design, design of tailings dams, water resources engineering and hydroelectric engineering. He has worked on projects in Canada, the United States, Central and South America, Iran, Africa, and China.
In January 1997, he joined the Department of Mining Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He has taught courses in Mine Economics, Mine Waste Management, Mine Design, Management Science, and Simulation. He was the founding director of the Integrated Engineering program, an undergraduate interdisciplinary engineering program with a focus on engineering design methods, teamwork in design, independent learning, and communication skills.
Scott's research interests are in advanced mining and mineral processing methods, and the basic question: what will a mine look like 50 to 100 years from now? In collaboration with members of the Centre for Blood Research and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at UBC, he has been working on applications of biotechnology to mineral separation. He also does research in project economics, mining construction, and mineral processing.
Scott and his wife Petra enjoy skiing, hiking, cycling, and remodelling their house. Sons Blake and Camden and daughter Enja are a constant source of entertainment.
Education
- High School: United World College of the Atlantic, Wales, U. K. 1965-1968
- British Advanced Levels: Math, Physics, Chemistry, and French
- B.Sc. Geophysics (Honours), University of British Columbia, 1972
- M.Sc. Geophysics, University of Toronto, 1973
- Ph.D. Civil Engineering/Geophysics, Stanford University, 1977
Membership
- Registered Professional (Geophysical) Engineer in B. C., Canada
- Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Languages
- English: fluent
- Spanish: speak and read
- French: read and understand