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Cover Article
Human Resources for
Bangladeshi Mining Sector
Engr. A.K.M. Shamsuddin
Geologically, Bangladesh is a sedimentary basin and world standard mineral deposit is its hydrocarbon reserve and high quality bituminous coal reserve. Mining in Bangladesh is in the formative stage. Petrobangla, the state owned agency, is responsible for development of oil, gas and mineral resources of the country. The exploration and development of natural gas resources have been progressing reasonably well but progress of work in taking measures for the development of mineral resources, specially coal, is very slow and poor. Non-availability of mineral specialists, mining experts, mining engineers, mine technicians, etc., are the major obstacles in the development of coal mine and other mineral resources in Bangladesh.
The country is blessed with a proven reserve of more than 2000 million tons of high quality bituminous coal in Jamalganj, Barapukuria, Khalashpir, Phulbari and Dighipara coal basins.
Barapukuria Coal Mine has been developed and commercial coal production has been started. Maddhapara Granite Mine is going to start commercial production very soon. Both these underground coal and granite mines have been developed by Chinese and North Korean mining companies on turnkey contract basis respectively. Since Bangladesh does not have adequate mining professionals, experts, engineers, technicians, supervisors, etc. in the mining sector, these two underground mines have been developed and put into production by hiring mining people starting from grass root level to top executives from China and North Korea. These prove that the country is relying too much on foreign mining contractors. Under the prevailing situation these contractors are not only delaying the completion of the projects but also making it difficult for Bangladesh to take over the mine expeditiously.
Unless, Bangladesh could develop its own expertise in the mining sector the future of the present mines as well as development of other mining projects will be uncertain. Coal is a major fuel resource in Bangladesh and no excuse could hold back its development.
Under the above circumstances it has become utmost necessary to develop mining experts, mining engineers, mineral technologists, mining geologists, mine technicians, mine supervisors, etc. in the country in order to exploit huge coal deposits, in particular, and other minerals, in general, within shortest possible time. To start with it has become extremely important to set up a mining engineering department in any Private or Public University of Engineering & Technology in Bangladesh to produce graduate-mining engineers in the country.
Mining Engineering Program
Mining Engineering is concerned with safe, economic and environmentally sustainable recovery, processing and marketing of mineral resources from the earth. Mining engineering degree program includes elements from Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Metallurgy, Commerce, Economics and Management. This means that graduate in mining engineering within this framework are very versatile and can progress rapidly both within the mining industry and in those sectors affiliated to the industry. Mining Engineering is an international profession. The mining engineering graduates will have the flexibility and opportunity to work in the areas such as mine operation, mine management, technical design, engineering design, mine environmental engineering, risk management, technology development, mine planning and design, financial evaluation, feasibility studies, policy formulation, administration regulations with the Govt. and other organization.
Program Objective
The objectives of the program are to ensure that mining engineering graduates have gained sufficient underlying science and engineering knowledge together with an understanding of mine safety, mine management, rock mechanics, mining technologies and the mine environment to begin practicing as young professional engineers. The program is intended to gradually build on the knowledge and skills of a student over the four years of program, commencing with fundamentals of science and engineering and progressing on to specialties of mining engineering.
Program Outline
The department of Mining Engineering in the Private/Public University in Bangladesh will offer a four-year full time program in Mining Engineering leading to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Year-1 and 2 of the courses will be similar to that of other engineering courses at the proposed university and are primarily concerned with educating the students in basic science and engineering principles. However, 25% of each year will be concerned with applying this learning to basic elements of mining engineering and introducing the students to risk management, reporting, and presentation techniques and computing technologies in a mining engineering context. Year-3 will be largely devoted to basic mining courses. Year-4 will provide advanced instructions in mine operational courses and focus on integrating all the elements of the program in the form of an investigative thesis and a full mine planning and operations.
Compulsory Training Program
It will be obligatory for individual student to take one-month (30-days) practical training courses after the completion of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year courses. The students will take these training courses in Barapukuria underground coal mine, Maddhapara underground granite mine, proposed Khalashpir coal mine, Takerghat limestone quarry, Bijoypur white clay mine and any new mining projects that may be undertaken in any private and public sector. A foreign trip to India or China or Indonesia will be an attractive and useful step to enlighten the students with the state of the art technologies in mining.
Entry to 4-year Program
Minimum qualifications: Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Science Group with GPA- 4.0 / OR Diploma in Mining Engineering may enter into 3rd year of the Graduate Program.
Course Description:
(Detail Course Curriculum)
YEAR--1
Introduction to Mining Engineering:
Roles and responsibilities a mining engineers encounters in the workplace. Basic understanding of underground and open-pit mining methods. Basic of mine ventilation, explosives, blasting, etc. Safety and risk management of the mine.
Mathematics-1:.
Complex numbers vector and vector geometry, linear equations, matrices and matrix algebra, determinants. Functions, limits, continuity and differentiability, integration, polar coordinates, logarithms and exponential, hyperbolic functions, functions of several variables.
Physics:
Mechanics of intermolecular systems. Atomic structures of solids force and defects. Plasticity of solids. Fracture of solids. Thermal properties of solids, liquids and gases. Geometrical optics, optical instruments. Electrostatics, direct current circuits. Elementary circuit theory. Magnetic forces and fields, electromagnetic induction. Alternating currents.
Applied Mechanics:
Basic engineering principles governing the static, kinematics, dynamics of rigid bodies Static force, static moment, static equilibrium of rigid bodies, static equivalence of system of forces, center of mass, centeroid, center of pressure, frictional forces Kinematics: linear and angular motion, in a plane, relative displacement, velocity and acceleration. Dynamics: equation of motion for rigid bodies, work and energy, impulse and momentum, strain energy.
Geology for Mining Engineers:
Nature and origin of earth materials. Properties of minerals and rocks Process of their formation geological history and structures and sequences of their formation and preservation of minerals, coal and petroleum resources
Mining Industry Practice:
Understanding in areas associated with processes and practices in mining industries. Mineral economics and markets, environmental responsibilities, management and rehabilitation
Materials for Mining Engineers:
Microstructure and properties of the main type of engineering materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, composites Micro mechanism of elastic and plastic deformation Fracture mechanisms for ductile, brittle, creep and fatigue, modes of failure in service, corrosion, micro structural control by thermo mechanical processing and its application to the behavior of engineering materials.
Chemistry-1:
Stiochiometry, atomic and molecular structures, state of matter, equilibrium, oxidation and reduction, electrochemistry and corrosion of metals, introduction to organic chemistry, structure and properties of polymers
Mathematics-2:
Vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvectors Introduction to probability and statistics, Integration techniques, solution of ordinary differential equations, sequences, series, applications of integration.
YEAR-2.
Structural Mechanics:
Principles of analysis, design of structures, concepts of stress and strain. Basic definition of force, displacement, stress, strain and elastic material properties, Bending moment, shear force in beams, stress due to bending of beams, deflection of beams, stress due to torsion of shaft. Combined axial and bending stress. Shear stress in beams. Continuous beams, slope deflection equations, stiffness matrix, force vector. Computer analysis. Definition of stress in three dimensions
Fluids and Thermodynamics:
Fluid mechanics, properties, fluid statistics, steady and unsteady flow, laminar and turbulent flow. Reynolds number, acceleration of a fluid particle, continuity equation, steady flow for steam tube, momentum equation, Bernoulli’s equation, measurement of flow, laminar flow between parallel plates, flow in pipelines, open channel, head loss at various locations. Thermodynamics: states, ideal gas, definition of temperature scales, real gases, equilibrium diagram, PV diagram, steam tables. Systems, processes and cycles, first law of thermodynamics, Rankin cycle, heat engine, heat pumps, gaseous mixtures.
Mining Data Analysis: (Statistics)
Averages, (Mean, median, mode), Graphical Data Analysis,Arithmatic logarithmic, exponential, Relationships, correlation efficient ®. Index numbers and time series. Review of probability, Random variables and their properties. The normal and binominal distribution. Applications tostatistical quality control; t-test, F-test. Simple and muliple linear regressions.
Engineering Math-1:
Partial differentiation, ordinary differentiatial equations, matrices, Laplace transforms, Fourier series, Partial differential equations.
Mining Project Development:
Core processes of mining system. Exploration, planning and development of mines, infrastructures requirements, environmental assessment. Ore body parameters for surface and underground operations, stratified and non-stratified deposits, mine layout for surface and undergrond operations, undergroundaccess, introduction of techniques of rock breakage and support for coal and metal mines, processing of minerals, disposal of overburden and rejects; site rerhabilatation.
Mining Stress Analysis:
Application of stress analysis to geotechnical engineering. Stress transformation and principal stress in three dimensions. Equation of equilibrium, boundary conditions, strain compatibility, stress in thick wall tubes under pressure, stress around circular tunnels, anisotropic elasticity, elastoplasticity.
Mine Surveying:
Principles of mine surveying, levelling principles and techniques, contouring, theodolites, angle measurements, instruments and survey errors, distance measurement techniques, cordinate calculation, control surveys, traversing, area and volume calculations. Map projection cordinates and calculations.Correlation of surface surveys with underground surveys.
Engineering Maths-2:
Multiple integrals, vector calculas, extrema of functions of several variables.
Electric Power Engineering:
Circuit theory analysis, design of DC and AC circuits, comprising various energy sources, complex Impedences, 3-phase circuits, laboratory methods, electrical safety, signal generators, measuring devices, Oscilloscopes. Transformers and AC machines and induction motors.
YEAR-3.
Mine Geology:
Introduction to the nature and formation of mineral deposits and coal resources. Geological settings, Characteristics and genesis of major categories of metallic and non-metallic mineral resources, the natureand origin of coal-bearing sequences and the relevances of geological factors to their extraction and use. Stereographic projection analysis in understading slope stability.
Mine Geomechanics:
Principles of soil and rock mechanics. Impacts of these in mining engineering practices. Soil mechanics,nature of soil, groundwater flow, stability of slopes, tailings storage facilities, earth retaining structures, shallow foundations, consolidations, compaction, liquefaction. Rock mechanics.
Excavation Engineering:
Rock breakage technology used in mining and tunneling excavation. Rock drilling techniques, drilling equipment and drill pattern design for headings. Stopes and benches for underground and surface mining operations. Types of explosives and their properties. Blasting techniques. Blasting theory and design.
Handling and storage of explosives.
Principles of rock cutting, tunneling methods, conventional and mechanical excavatiopn systems including drilling and blasting. Shaft sinking, conventional and mechanical boring.
Mine Infrastructures and Services:
Material handling system used in mining. Transport system for minerals, waste rocks, people and materials. Design of conveyor systems. Trackless method of haulages- shovels, loaders, trucks. Track mounted methods, mechanics of hoisting, design of winding systems. Winding cycle diagrams, power requirements for hoisting. Winding ropes, maintenance of haulage and winding systems. Mine control system, signalling and communications.
Mine Economics and Business System:
Management principles and perspectives applied in mining. Economical activity in mining. Principles and techniques of mining project evaluation. Business system for running mining enterprizes. Financial computer models of mining projects.
Coal Mining Systems:
Understanding of mining systems- underground and surface mining sectors. Detail descriptions and selection criteria for various coal mining methods. Introductory mine planning and scheduling. Safety and economics of coal mining methods.
Metal Mining Systems:
Understanding of metal mining systems used in metal mines. Detail description and selection criteria For various metalliferrous mining methods including surface and underground techniques. Introductorymetal mine planning and scheduling. Safety and economics of metal mining methods.
Mine Workplace Environment:
Safety and contrtol of air for underground mines, removal of contaminants. Hazards in mining including outbursts, explosion, fires, spontaneous combustion, inrush, hazards, radiation, noises, miners diseases,illumination in mines. Mine Ventilation: Practices in mines, air flow, resistance of workings anddistribution of mine air. Network analysis, ventilation surveys, mine gases, dusts. Ventilation planning, outbursts in coal mine.
Mineral Processing:
Utilization of mineral resources. Breakage, sizing, dressing, dewatering process of minerals for utilization. Treatment of precious metals, heavy minerals, sands, coal, industrial minerals like clays, aggregates, etc. Description of the principal unit processes and their applicability. Mineral propertiesand characteristics of mined material on which they are based. Dry and water based seperation processes. Screens and centifuges, flocculation and thickening, filtration and tailings disposal.
YEAR-4.
Mine Planning:
Mine planning processes including mine design, scheduling and evaluation and the tools availableto assist in the planning process. Mine planning parameters; Reserve optimization; Mine design andscheduling. Equipment selection, mine system selection, operations benchmarks. Environment and minesite rehabilitation planning. Economic modelling, introduction to mine planning tools.
Geotechnical Engineering:
Core geo-technical risks inherent in major mining methods and risk management criteria. Hazard recognition, mapping and ground control management plans. Underground mining excavation design,rock mass classification, surface mining geomechanics, applications of mineral stress analysis modelling.Geotechnical instrumentations, pillar and roadway design, Principles and practices in ground control.Subsidence engineering. Caving mechanics, outbursts, rockbursts.
Mining Geomechanics:
Principles of rock mechanics, soil mechanics, impacts of rock mechanics and soil mechanics in mining engineering practice. Nature of soil, groundwater flow, stability of slopes, tailings storage facilities, earth retaining structures, shallow foundations. Rock mechanics, stress and strain deformation behaviour, stressin rock, rock properties, rock failure criteria.
Mining Law:
Part-1:- Advanced applications in risk management, accident occurrence, ergonomics, risk management to some of risk hazard in coal mine and metal mine. Mine disaster.
Part-2:- Modern mining law including safety, environment, exploration of mineral deposits.
Mining Industries Applications:
Students are advised to take research project on mining. To make an engineering analysis, Experimental investigation, theoretical study, literature review and submit an plan. Prior to taking projects, Department will arrange series of seminars by inviting visiting experts from Universities, Research establishments, related industries to cover subjects of special interests.
Coal Mine Design and Evaluation:
Technical design and project evaluation of a coal deposit. The teams are required to prepare and present a feasibility study of a coal mining project. Teamwork, project management and presentation skills are assessed in addition to the technical analysis and content of the final feasibility study.
Metal Mine Design and Evaluation:
Technical design and project evaluation of a metalliferrous deposit. The teams are required to prepare and present a feasibility study of a metal mining project. Teamwork, project management and presentation skills are assesed in addition to the technical analysis and content of the final feasibility study.
Environmental and Social Impacts of Mining:
Comprehensive understanding of both positive and negative impacts that mining have on society. Environmental Impact Assessment, environmental management systems, environmental auditing, Envieonmental management techniques on exploration, waste disposal, tailings, quarries, water management, air pollution, rehabilation, mine clouser, etc.
Mine Simulation and Modelling:
The courses aims to equip students with knowledge and skills in two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) computer simulation software used in mining industries. A model of a mining system is then designed, built and evaluated using simulation techniques.
Arrangement of Resource Personnel for Mining Engineering Department
The Mining Engineering degree program includes about 60% elements from mining and about 40% elements from Mechanical, Electrical, Civil Engineering and Geology, Geophysics, Metallurgy, Commerce, Economics and Management. 40% of non-mining elements of the courses may be covered by drawing resource personnel from BUET (Dhaka), DUET(Gazipur), University of Dhaka, University of Rajshahi, any other university of engineering and technology.etc. As regards 60% of mining elements of the courses – 30% may be covered from the mining engineering professionals who are presently actively associated with the mining activities in the country.For the rest 30% mining elements courses, the resource personnel may be hired from India, Australia, China, UK, etc., as visiting Professors.
A brief proposal regarding the structure of a “Mining Engineering Department” has been elaborated above. Concerned and appropriate authority may take necessary measures to open a mining engineering department in any private or public university of engineering and technology to produce Graduate Mining Engineers in Bangladesh.
Engr. A. K. M. Shamsuddin: Mining Engineer & Former Managing Director, Pashchimanchal Gas Co. Ltd.
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