Note 1 - this survey was hosted on the EduMine website from November 30 2004 to December 12 2004.
Note 2 - statistical analysis of the results indicates that the survey opinions of the sampled population are representative of those of the actual EduMine audience with 95% confidence.
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Survey Background
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An ore deposit, a mine, a processing plant, waste facilities, infrastructure and personnel are all assets that must be managed collectively to maximize the long-term value of a mining venture. There is a growing trend towards establishing long-term asset management practices and procedures that have a profound effect on the profitability of a mining venture.
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To be effective, asset managers require background knowledge in the disciplines involved ... geology, engineering, mineral processing, waste management, environmental engineering, business economics and socio-economics, in addition to management skills such as leadership and communication. Most of this knowledge must be acquired on the job through experience and cross-training.
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The objectives of this short online survey were to solicit audience views on ...
the disciplines and skill-sets that should be the focus of future cross-training;the optimum format for delivery of cross-training to the mine site and the industry at large.
The results of the survey will be utilized in our planning and structuring of future course content on EduMine. Results for individual survey questions, together with our preliminary interpretations and comments on the results, are published below.
If you have any comments of your own on these results please send them by email ... we will publish all relevant viewer comments on this page. |
Survey Audience
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Question 1 of 7 ... Which of the following best describes your current situation in mining?
Respondents: 271 |
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Comment: By far the largest audience component is from mining operations ... The student component is smaller than we would like ... Otherwise the results are much as expected. |
Best Graduate Level Grounding |
Question 2 of 7 ... In your opinion, which of the following disciplines provides the best graduate level grounding for today's manager of a mining complex?
Respondents: 241 |
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Comment: mining engineering is the overwhelming choice ... However, a surprising 28% voted for something else! |
Under-Represented Skills at Management Level |
Question 3 of 7 ... In your experience, which of the following disciplines or skill sets is least well represented at the present-day mine management level?
Respondents: 228 |
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Comment: Most managers lack management skills! ... We should be placing more emphasis on new courses in management, socio-economics, geology and environment ... And less emphasis on engineering courses. |
Under-Represented Skills at Graduate Level |
Question 4 of 7 ... In your experience, which of the following disciplines or skill sets is most lacking from the knowledge base of present-day mining graduates?
Respondents: 220 |
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Comment: The results correlate to a limited degree with those of 3 above. We should include business economics in the mix of desirable new courses. |
Best Learning Model for Cross-Training |
Question 5 of 7 ... In your opinion, which of the following learning models is most suited to practical cross-training of mine site personnel?
Model A: 1 - 2 week classroom courses requiring full-time attendance at a university campus
Model B: a mix of online self-learning and short (1 - 3 day) on campus classroom courses, as represented by the UBC Certificate in Mining Studies
Model C: online self-learning, as represented by EduMine courses
Respondents: 210 |
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Comment: The results favour a mixed model, with strong support for the University of British Columbia - Certificate in Mining Studies model (see UBC Mining Certificate) ... And a large majority (71%) favour a model with a significant component of online internet learning. Predictably, if time were not a constraint (which it obviously is ... see 7 below) then university classroom courses would be preferable to online courses. |
University Accreditation |
Question 6 of 7 ... When taking a cross-training course with a view to increasing your career prospects, how important is it to you to receive credit towards a university certificate or diploma for successfully completing the course?
Respondents: 210 |
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Comment: University accreditation and the concept of working towards a university certificate or diploma have significant appeal for almost 90% of the audience. |
Minimizing Time Away from the Job |
Question 7 of 7 ... When taking a cross-training course with a view to increasing your career prospects, how important is it in your current job position to minimize your time away from the job?
Respondents: 208 |
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Comment: More than 90% of the audience believe that cross-training should minimize the requirement for time away from the job. This result is strong reinforcement for either a mixed or online learning model for cross-training (see 5 above). |
Geographical Distribution of the EduMine Audience |
From web statistics determined independently of the survey for a 30 day period.
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