Development of a quantitative point of view of Treatment diagrams in operations. Study of the indicators which describe separation processes performance.
Flowsheet as "optimal solution".
Project: structural optimization and parametric optimization.

Rock mechanics is the experimental and theoretical study of rock material and rock masses properties, behaviour and their relations between stress and strain

The aims of this course unit are: - Knowledge: To diagnose the main problems caused by the extractive industry before, during and after extraction; techniques and methods to solve the diagnosed problems. - Understanding: Life cycle phases of manufacturing industry and its environmental implications; - Application: To distinguish the application field of the different alternatives of adverse environmental impact minimization and select the most appropriate technology to each situation; - Analysis: Analytical decomposition of impacts generated in the environmental impact analysis, in the creation of an environmental management plan and during the elaboration of a closure and abandonment strategy. - Synthesis: To create a coherent methodology of integrated resolution of adverse environmental implications. - Assessment: To compare technological and methodological alternatives.

In the wake of the course unit of Rock Mass Exploitation, this new course unit will act, to a certain extent, as a way of deepening some subject matters skimmed over or taught in the previous course unit, being now more focused on the application in underground mining. Hence the subject matter of mining exploration methods will be resumed, being given a special emphasis to the methods which are currently most used. It will also be analysed the mechanisation of mining operations (determinants of the phenomena, historical evolution of equipments, current equipments, advantages and disadvantages of mining intensive mechanisation), as well as their impact on the selection of exploration methods and the panoply of current methods. There is a growing tendency to use tunnels to solve countless road and railway traffic problems, thus this will be a subject matter which will be thorough developed, mainly concerning the current methods of excavation, equipments used, surrounding ground of excavation sites and implementation of subsidiary mining operations, being given an emphasis to ventilation, drainage and sewage. Additionally, it will also be studied the methods and technologies applicable to cavern excavation for multiple purposes. Still relating to the subject matter of exploration methods, it will be studied the classic and current technologies of well (extraction and ventilation) ramps and chimneys opening. The use of explosives to the above mentioned purposes is a subject matter which will also be resumed, because of the specificity of the excavations and the reflection on the design and implementation of the fire diagrams. Due to the amount of time available and as far as possible, it will be handled the conceptual, practical and legal aspects related to the organization of excavation (in the broad sense of the word) works and safety.

This course aims to develop students’ contact with subject matters related to mine exploration. It is mainly focused on the methodologies of exploration of opencast mineral resources, being all the elementary operations of this extractive activity comprehensively analysed. Particular emphasis is given to the exploitation and processing of Ornamental Rock.

Provide students with a set of structural concepts in the understanding and study of the circulation of groundwater. Particular emphasis is given to methods for quantitative analysis of the movement of groundwater. At the same time, practical classes will be based on the presentation of more technical knowledge of nowadays state of the art.

- Knowledge: Recall basic concepts related to material balance in biphasic systems (solid-liquid); General concepts of chemistry. - Comprehension: Recognize, Express and identify the unit operations involved in a hydrometallurgical process. - Application: To discriminate the field of application of different technologies: to select the most appropriate technology for a particular case. - Analysis: To calculate the materials balance in steady-state using analytical, numerical and graphical methods for each unit operation. - Synthesis: Create and organize coherent process flowsheets for each unit operation and for the process as a whole. Evaluation: Compare different process alternatives.

Integrate knowledge acquired in other CUs of the course and developing skills in conducting, economic evaluation, planning and control of projects.

To familiarize students with Fourier Analysis, based on the Theory of Tempered Distributions. Illustration of the theory with applications in the domain of mining engineering and geo-environment, namely on signal processing in geophysics. This knowledge should be well consolidated, enabling students to deepen their knowledge, if demanded during their professional.

Introduction to the fundamental concepts and procedures of data analysis with spatial variability (Geostatistics) aiming at enabling students to apply them in a mining, geoenvironmental or geotechnical environment.

This course aims at developing management competencies, integrating a solid theoretical basis with casa study discussion and the development of a project.

There are five fundamental aims Knowledge: Recall basic concepts related to the resolution of ordinary differential equations using the Laplace Transform; Comprehension: Recognize and explain the behavior of simple paradigmatic systems; create models for systems with a typical behavior; to explain the physical foundation of sensors. To know how to select valves adjusted to their function in a closed loop control system. Application: To recognize model structures and infer the relevant parameters from the experimental behavior; Analysis: To use the dynamic simulation as a tool for comprehension and action on the process; Synthesis: To distinguish and elaborate paradigmatic control strategies. Evaluation: To evaluate the behavior of a control loop and its field of stability.

Presentation and study of site investigation and characterization mechanical and geophysical tests/methods and procedures in a geotechnical and geo-environmental perspective.  

BACKGROUND: the knowledge of scientific principles and technologies involved in soil and groundwater remediation is a fundamental necessity for environmental engineers. In fact the large number of cases of environmental heritages concerning soil and groundwater contaminations cannot be ignored. On the other hand soil and groundwater legislations impose progressively stricter limits on the acceptable concentrations. SPECIFIC AIMS: Identify, recognize and characterize soil and groundwater contaminations; previous selection of the most convenient technologies to remediate a contaminated site; detailed evaluation of the alternatives; Main parameters for design; Control and monitoring of the remediation action plan. PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: EA0008 Environmental Geology EA0007 Environmental Chemistry I EA0012 Environmental Chemistry II EA0006 Mathematical Analysis I EA0011 Mathematical Analysis II EA0028 Heat and Mass Transfer PERCENTUAL DISTRIBUTION Scientific Component (establishes and develops scientific bases) – 30% Technological component (applies to design and process operation) – 30%. LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this subject the students will be able to: - Chose the feasible alternatives for remediating a site with contaminated soil and/or groundwater; - Establish the methodology and procedures for designing a corrective action plan. - To design in-situ experiments in order to gather information for the full design; - Design a full scale process; - Design the monitoring system in order to verify the non-existence of perverse effects.