Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
As the mining sector expands, so do the impacts of mining and refining processes. The environmental impacts of mining activities must be managed carefully to balance stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements with financial costs to the mining company. The overall aim of this course is to prepare students for careers in Environmental Management in mining contexts, either in consultant roles, in government agencies, or within industry. The unit first provides an introduction to the management of environmental impacts associated with mining and refining activities. Students will learn the basics of mining and refining processes, and how to identify and mitigate potential environmental impacts during mining and refining processes. The unit will involve working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to create an environmental management plan for mine site and critically assessing management plans for suggesting improvements. The unit will also cover approaches to manage uncertainties (technology, expenses, stakeholder expectations) when developing management plans. A range of Australian and international case studies are used to illustrate the core content of the course with real world examples.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe and compare the key stages of mining and refining processes for major commodities; (2) identify potential sources of environmental impact resulting from various stages of mining and refining processes, and develop appropriate mitigation strategies; (3) understand regulatory frameworks mining operation must conform to; (4) critically assess existing environmental management plans (EMPs) and suggest improvements; (5) work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams to develop environmental management plans; (6) apply the ‘triple bottom line' approach when formulating environmental management plans; and (7) identify and manage uncertainties and risks when developing environmental management plans.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) virtual field report; (2) literature review; and (3) group report. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Caroline Mather
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- 1x 2hr lectures per week
1x 2hr online practicals per week
1 x field trip – virtual
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.