Mining Engineering and Management (MEM)

University Directory
University Courses

MEM 306 INTRODUCTION TO EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERING
(3-0) 3 credits. Prerequisites: MEM 301 and MEM 303. Fundamentals of electric circuits, basic mine power systems, and power distribution system design. Applications of pumping in surface and underground mines.

MEM 491 INDEPENDENT STUDY
1 to 3 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Includes directed study, problems, readings, directed readings, special problems, and special projects. Student complete individualized plans of study which include significant one-onone student/teacher involvement. The faculty member and students negotiate the details of the study plans. Enrollments are usually 10 or fewer students. Meeting depending on the requirements of the topic.

MEM 304/304L THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ROCK MECHANICS
(3-1) 4 credits. Prerequisite: EM 216 and Junior standing. Principles of rock mechanics and mechanics of materials. Concept of stress, strain and the theory of elasticity. Applications in mining, geological engineering and tunneling. Emphasis on the design of safe structures in rocks. Laboratory experience for determining the basic physical and mechanical properties of rocks.

MEM 466 MINE MANAGEMENT
(2-0) 2 credits. Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of instructor. The study of critical management issues of fundamental importance to the mining industry: forms of management, organizational structures, project management and mine administration, risk management, and modern management tools. Development of leadership skills. Management of human resources.

MEM 405 MINE PERMITTING AND RECLAMATION
(3-0) 3 credits. Prerequisite: Junior standing. A study of environmental problems associated with both surface and underground mining and the reclamation practices that have been developed or are being evaluated to alleviate these problems. Federal, state and local reclamation regulations are examined for their effects on present and future mining practices and costs. Field trips to mining operations in the Black Hills region or the Powder River Basin will be taken for on-site observation of actual reclamation practices. This course is cross-listed with ENVE 405.

MEM 307 MINERAL EXPLORATION & GEOSTATISTICS
(3-0) 3 credits. Prerequisite: GEOE 221. The application of the theory of geostatistics to qualify the geological concepts of (1) area of influence of a sample, (2) the continuity of the regionalized variable within a deposit, and (3) the lateral changes in the regionalized variable according to the direction. Basic concepts and theory of probability and statistics will be introduced, including probability distributions, sampling distributions, treatment of data, the mean, variance, and correlation. Computer techniques will be extensively used for geostatistical estimation of grade, volume, and variance.

MEM 203 INTRODUCTION TO MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY
(1-0) 1 credit. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Instruction in the safety aspects of mining in accordance with MSHA rules. A study of mine regulations and the recognition of mine hazards along with their prevention and control.

MEM 450/550 ROCK SLOPE ENGINEERING
(3-0) 3 credits. Prerequisite: MEM 304 or CEE 346 or equivalent. Modes of slope failure. Economic consequences of instability in mining and construction. Geological factors controlling stability of rock slopes. Shear strength of highly jointed rock mass and discontinuities. Projection methods. Vectoral analysis of 3-D problems by means of the stereographic projection method. Analytical, graphical and computer analysis of planar, wedge and toppling failures. Probabilistic methods. Students enrolled in MEM 550 will be held to a higher standard than those enrolled in MEM 450. This course is cross-listed with ENVE 450/550. MEM 464 MINE DESIGN AND FEASIBILITY STUDY (4-0) 4 credits. Prerequisites: MEM 204, MEM 302, MEM 303, MEM 304, MEM 305, MEM 306, MEM 307 and MEM 401. A complete mine feasibility study conducted as a senior design project. Students will have a choice of designing one of the following: a surface or underground coal mine, a quarry, a surface or underground hard rock metal mine, or a sub-surface underground space (tunneling, large excavations, industrial/environmental underground storage site, or underground science laboratory). A comprehensive study of principles and practices involved in developing an ore deposit (surface or underground) starting with drill hole data following through with a complete feasibility study (based on financial returns on investment and sensitivity analysis) covering ore reserve calculations, and selection of mining methods and equipment. Computerized approach will be an integral part of the course: SurvCADD software and Vulcan software are available to use. In addition to a computerized model of the mine, a final written report and presentation in front of the class will be required.

MEM 401/401L THEORETICAL AND APPLIED MINE VENTILATION
(3-1) 4 credits. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Analysis of mine atmosphere and the control of airflow in an underground mine. Basic principles of thermodynamics and air conditions. Emphasis is on solutions of airflow networks and the design principles of mine ventilation systems. Laboratory experience for determining the basic pressure and airflow parameters, ventilation network analysis, and fan characteristics.

MEM 120 INTR MINING, SUSTAIN DEVEL and INTRO MANAGEMENT
(2-0) 2 credits. This course presents an introductory overview of current surface and underground mining practices, new and emerging mining technology, mining terminology, and mining economics. Mining engineering faculty members are introduced and career paths available to the mining engineering graduate are discussed. The concept of sustainable development as it relates to minerals venture is introduced, and the interrelationships between mining, the environment, societal needs, and governance is discussed. Also included is an introduction to management concepts, presentation skills, meeting skills, negotiation skills, and basic project management tools. This course is cross-listed with ENVE 120.

MEM 202 MATERIALS HANDL & TRANSPORTN
(2-0) 2 credits. Prerequisites: EM 216 and MEM 120. The theory of operation of mining equipment, and its selection and application to materials handling in surface and underground mines. Emphasis is on economics, productivity, reliability, maintenance, and safety.

MEM 204 SURFACE MINING METHODS AND EQUIPMENT
(3-0) 3 credits. Prerequisites: ENVE/MEM 120 or permission of instructor. A study of surface mining techniques and unit operations applicable to metal mining, coal mining, quarrying and other surface mining operations. Topics include mine design and planning, surface drilling and blasting, the applicability and performance characteristics of earthmoving equipment, and an introduction of mine drainage. This course is cross-listed with ENVE 204.

MEM 302 MINERAL ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
(3-0) 3 credits. Prerequisite: Junior standing. An introduction to the concepts of the time value of money and the application of time value of money decision criteria to mineral project evaluation situations. Both before-tax and after-tax investment situations are discussed. A discussion of the financing options available to a company for expansion, new project development or acquisitions. This course is cross-listed with ENVE 302.

MEM 433/533/533L COMP APPL IN GEOSCIENCE MODELING
(3-1) 4 credits. Prerequisite: Junior standing. The use of computer techniques in modern geoscience modeling of mining, geology and environmental problems such as exploration, geological characterization and mining exploitation. Practical application of state-of-theart Vulcan modeling software will be essential part of the course. Students enrolled in MEM 533 will be held to a higher standard than those enrolled in MEM 433. This course is cross-listed with ENVE 433/433L/533/533L.

MEM 201L SURVEYING FOR MINERAL ENGINEERS
(0-2) 2 credits. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing. Principles of surface and underground surveying, including measurements, data collection, calculations, error analysis, topographic mapping, and applications of the Global Positioning System.

MEM 301/301L COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN MINING
(1-1) 2 credits. Prerequisite: GE 115 or permission of instructor. Computer hardware and software. Applications in exploration and resource modeling, equipment selection and simulations, mine planning and design, rock stability analysis, and economics and cost estimates. Emphasis on three-dimensional modeling and visualization. Vulcan software and other software applications.

MEM 303 UNDERGROUND MINING METHODS AND EQUIPMENT
(3-0) 3 credits. Prerequisite: MEM 204. A study of underground mining techniques, unit operations, and equipment applicable to coal mining, metal mining, quarrying and tunneling operations. Topics include mining method selection, mine design and planning, drilling and blasting, and novel underground mining methods.

MEM 305 INTRO TO EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERING
(3-0) 3 credits. Prerequisite: MEM 202. An introduction to explosives products; the theory of rock breakage by explosives; and the design of blast patterns for different applications including surface blasting techniques, underground blasting techniques, controlled blasting and specialized techniques. The techniques and equipment used to control and/or monitor airblast, ground vibration and flyrock are studied.

MEM 492 TOPICS
1 to 3 credits. Includes current topics, advanced topics and special topics. A course devoted to a particular issue in a specified field. Course content is not wholly included in the regular curriculum. Guest artists or experts may service as instructors. Enrollments are usually 10 or fewer students with significant one-on-one student/teacher involvement.

Contact: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
http://sdmines.sdsmt.edu/sdsmt/directory/courses/mem