National Diploma in Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
About Course
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy is the practice of removing valuable metals from an ore and refining the extracted raw metals into a purer form. In order to convert a metal oxide or sulfide to a purer metal, the ore must be reduced physically, chemically, or electrolytically. In this course you will learn how to develop, optimise and manage the operation of a metallurgical processing plant in an environmentally and economical responsible way. The plant transforms low-value raw materials(ore) into useful, high-value mineral and metal products.
This course is designed to develop a Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Technician with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to satisfy the needs of the mining sector and allied industries. You will cover the chemical, physical, economic, environmental and sustainable principles and practices for the extraction of metals from ores as well as mine management principles. This course will equip students with an in-depth understanding of the processes applied in the extraction of minerals from ores, alloying, and value addition. The Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Diploma is Three (3) years in total consisting of 2330 hours (2 yrs) and one (1) year of On the Job Education and Training (OJET). Mode of Study – Fulltime.
CERTIFICATION
At the conclusion of this course, students will be credited with a National Diploma as testimony of their hard work and acquired skills gained during their learning experience.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Access, evaluate and generate minerals and metallurgical information from multiple sources
- Communicate in ways appropriate to the discipline of mineral processing and extractive metallurgy
- Apply mineral and metallurgical scientific principles to the metallurgical process operation in the Metallurgical Plant.
- Engage in entrepreneurship activities in Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy.
- Use and apply technologies, recognising their advantages and limitations, when applied to minerals and metallurgical information.
- Demonstrate responsibility and self-learning skills by applying critical thinking and being proactive.
- Describe and apply international best practice standards in minerals processing and metallurgical methods and technologies
- Carry out all processes involved from the time when raw material is received to the time when the target product is produced.
- Apply reduction principles for most minerals.
- Work ethically and professionally, both within a team and independently
- Demonstrate mine management and accounting principles.
- Describe mineral processing operations
- Apply theory and data to solve problems
- Evaluate metal extraction unit processes
- Communicate professionally with mining industry
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- Metallurgist
- Plant metallurgist
- Process metallurgist
- Processing consultant
- Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Lab Technician