Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Chemical Engineering School
Introduction to physical and chemical processing of minerals and recycled materials to produce metals, alloys and metal compounds. Processing technologies used in minerals industry, their characteristics, how and why these processes are selected and factors affecting the choice of process route. Included are lessons on the economic, environmental, and social aspects of the metals industry.
The minerals industry provides the backbone to ﾠour modern industrialised society, providing the raw materials that we need to build our cities, and the devices we use to provide transport, communications and lifestyle. The processing of minerals and metals recycling is an activity of increasing importance. The industry offers a wide variety of career paths and opportunities for employment around the world.
This course provides an introduction to physical and chemical processing of minerals and recycled materials to produce metals and other valuable products, to recover energy and to minimise environmental impact.ﾠ Learn about:
- the characteristics of the metals ﾠused to supply our society
- the processing technologies used in the minerals industry, their characteristics, and how and why they are used
- the challenges that lie ahead to maintain a sustainable supply of ﾠthese metals
The course is suitable for students undertaking programs inﾠ Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Earth and Physical Sciences, and can be counted as ﾠcredit in these programs.
It is mandatory for each student enrolled in this course to take safety induction beforeﾠ undertaking the lab practicals.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This is an introductory course to the discipline. It is assumed that students have completed University level chemistry and CHEE2001 to have the ability to conduct simple process mass and energy balances.
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Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CHEE2001
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MINE2201
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor James Vaughan
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
ﾠThe weekly schedule of Learning Activities is listed in this Electronic Course profile.
Timetables as published on SI net are subject to change.
Students should consult Blackboard for the METL2201 course for announcements and confirmation of times, activities and venues.
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Aims and outcomes
The aims of this course are to:
• Introduce core processing technologies employed in the minerals and metal recycling industries, explaining their characteristics, applications and the fundamental physical and chemical principles that govern them.
• Identify and address the challenges in maintaining a sustainable supply of minerals and metals, addressing future industry needs and social and environmental impacts.
• Establish the groundwork for advanced mineral separation and metal extraction courses.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Master the fundamental principles governing physical and chemical processes involved in the selective separation of minerals from ores and the extraction of metals from mineral concentrates and recycled materials.
LO2.
Apply these key principles effectively to separate minerals and extract metals in practical, real-world scenarios.
LO3.
Develop practical proficiency in executing mineral separation and metal extraction techniques within a laboratory setting.
LO4.
Analyse and recommend optimal “mine-to-metal” processing routes for specific ore deposits or secondary materials, considering factors such as economic viability, environmental impact, and social responsibility.
LO5.
Collaborate effectively within a team to overcome metallurgical challenges and complete metallurgical tasks.
LO6.
Produce high-quality written practical reports and deliver clear, well-structured oral presentations on metallurgical projects.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Safety Inductions (individual)
|
Pass/Fail |
4/08/2025 11:00 am
The online induction is to be completed before the Drop Weight Practical in Week 2. |
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Practical Reports 1, 2, 3 and 4
|
35% Practical Report 1: 7%; Practical Report 2: 10%; Practical Report 3: 8%; Practical Report 4: 10% |
Practical Report 1 - Drop Weight 18/08/2025 10:00 am Practical Report 2 - Hydrocyclone 1/09/2025 10:00 am Practical Report 3 - Leaching 15/09/2025 10:00 am Practical Report 4 - Solvent Extraction 7/10/2025 10:00 am
Details of group members, activities, dates, locations and assessment criteria to be provided on blackboard. |
| Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation, Project |
Commodity Assignment - team oral presentation
|
10% Group Presentation (All Group Members Speak) |
30/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
In class presentations (during scheduled workshop and tutorial sessions of week 13). |
| Examination |
Exam During Exam Period (Central)
|
55% Hurdle 45% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Safety Inductions (individual)
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
4/08/2025 11:00 am
The online induction is to be completed before the Drop Weight Practical in Week 2.
- Learning outcomes
- L03
Task description
COMPLETION OF THE SAFETY INDUCTION IS COMPULSORY
YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND OR RECEIVE CREDIT FOR LABORATORY COMPONENT WITHOUT COMPLETION OF THIS INDUCTION
Occupational Health and Safety
Students should be familiar with University policy Laboratory Safety in Teaching Laboratories (https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=427). Pertinent information is in the mandatory online module and assessment, UGRD01. UGRD01 can be found on Blackboard in the Training courses Tab > UQ Workplace Inductions and OHS Training > UG Lab Students. UGRD01 only needs to be completed once.
The Minimum PPE required across all School of Chemical Engineering undergraduate laboratories is, Safety spectacles or over glasses, lab coat, long trousers that cover the ankles and fully enclosed shoes.
Laboratory and practical specific information is given at beginning of each practical. It is important you arrive on time or you may not be allowed into the laboratory. For most practicals, a preliminary risk assessment is to be completed prior to the laboratory session and a completed risk assessment is required as a component of the practical report.
Hurdle requirements
Pass/Fail (Complete School Safety Induction and Participate in the Safety Briefing at the Beginning of the Practicals)Submission guidelines
Online Blackboard Training
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Online induction must be completed prior to the drop weight practical. If you arrive late to a practical, present yourself to the teaching staff to go over safety before joining in the practical exercise.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Completion of online safety induction is a prerequisite to carrying out the practicals (Drop Weight, Hydrocyclone, Leaching and Solvent Extraction). Also, there will be a mandatory safety briefing / discussion at the beginning of every practical. If you arrive late to a practical, present yourself to the teaching staff to go over safety before joining in the practical exercise.
Practical Reports 1, 2, 3 and 4
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 35% Practical Report 1: 7%; Practical Report 2: 10%; Practical Report 3: 8%; Practical Report 4: 10%
- Due date
Practical Report 1 - Drop Weight 18/08/2025 10:00 am
Practical Report 2 - Hydrocyclone 1/09/2025 10:00 am
Practical Report 3 - Leaching 15/09/2025 10:00 am
Practical Report 4 - Solvent Extraction 7/10/2025 10:00 am
Details of group members, activities, dates, locations and assessment criteria to be provided on blackboard.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05, L06
Task description
Each practical report is a team effort. A peer assessment based on team criteria will determine a Peer Assessment Factor (PAF) for each member.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Blackboard Turnitin
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
The 7 day extension period allows the teaching team to return corrected reports in a reasonable time.
An extension request is not considered late until 24 hours after the assessment due date & time.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
Commodity Assignment - team oral presentation
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation, Project
- Weight
- 10% Group Presentation (All Group Members Speak)
- Due date
30/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
In class presentations (during scheduled workshop and tutorial sessions of week 13).
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The members of your team are working on an assignment to identify the process options and technologies used for the production of a selected metal.
You and your team have been asked to make an oral presentation of your findings.
Oral presentation (10%)
Students are to design and present their material in a professional manner, as if the audience was the board of a company. The software platform to be used is PowerPoint. Make sure you submit your presentation slide deck 24 hours prior to the scheduled presentation time. Each team member will present one part of the report. Each team will be allocated a total of 20 minutes for their oral presentation, subject to adjustment based on the number of groups. Of this time, 15 minutes are designated for the presentation itself, followed by 5 minutes for questions and answers. The session chair will provide time warnings at 5 minutes and 1 minute before the end of the presentation.
Practicing before the presentation is recommended for each team to ensure their timing is correct and to improve the standard of the presentation. Presentations must not be in the form of reading the materials from a written text.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Alternative time for presentation or partial presentation can be arranged in the case of a valid reason for absence.
An extension request is not considered late until 24 hours after the assessment due date & time.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
Exam During Exam Period (Central)
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 55% Hurdle 45%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Invigilated closed book exam. No written materials permitted.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
A minimum of 45% is required for the final examination to pass the courseExam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate any relevant knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts. Overall mark typically 1-19%. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate any relevant knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts. Much of the information provided is inaccurate and irrelevant. Overall mark typically 20-44%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Some knowledge of the course is evident but the student only demonstrates a limited understanding of the underlying concepts and the information provided is largely inaccurate or irrelevant. Overall mark typically 45-49% and or overall mark 50% or greater and less than 45% on the final exam. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the relevant information and at least a partial understanding of the underlying concepts. Has some correct and some incorrect information. Overall mark typically 50-64% and greater than 45% on the final exam. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the relevant information and a sound understanding of the key concepts. There are only minor factual inaccuracies. Overall mark typically 65-74% and greater than 45% on the final exam. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Key concepts are understood. There are only very minor factual inaccuracies and no irrelevant information. Overall mark typically 75-84% and greater than 45% on the final exam. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Key concepts are understood. There is evidence of critical analysis and an ability to synthesise information from different aspects of the course. There are no factual inaccuracies and no irrelevant information. Overall mark typically 85-100% and greater than 45% on the final exam. |
Additional course grading information
Students are required to obtain a minimum of 45% on the Final examination andﾠ 45% on the other non-examination assessable tasks in order to pass this course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Use of calculators Unless specified elsewhere in the Course Profile, ONLY University approved and labelled calculators can be used in all exams for this course. Please consult my.UQ ﾠhttps://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/sitting-exam/approved-calculators for information about approved calculators and obtaining a label for non-approved calculators.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
All lecture, tutorial, and workshop materials—including those supporting practicals and the group project—will be made available on the course's Blackboard site.
Additional reading materials and course resources will also be posted there throughout the term.
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Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 11 |
Tutorial |
Biweekly assignment workshops (Thursday) The biweekly assignment workshops are designed to support students in preparing for practical sessions, writing practical reports, and working on the commodity project. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Weekly tutorials (Friday) The weekly tutorials reinforce key concepts introduced in the prerecorded lectures through guided instruction and collaborative problem-solving, enabling students to effectively apply their knowledge to mineral separation and metal extraction scenarios. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 8 |
Practical |
Practicals The four laboratory practicals provide students with hands-on experience in executing key mineral processing and metal extraction techniques. Conducted in groups and assessed through written reports, these sessions also develop students' teamwork and scientific communication skills. Sub-activity: Activities include: Virtual microscope exercise (not graded), Optimal microscope practical (3% submission on the day), Drop Weight practical (8% report), Hydrocyclone practical (8% report). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L06 |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Seminar |
Student Presentations The Commodity Project Presentation is a comprehensive group assessment that addresses all course aims and learning outcomes—except Learning Outcome 3 (Practical Proficiency)—with a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication. Students are required to deliver an in-depth analysis of the metallurgical processing of a selected metal, focusing on its mineralogy, processing routes, and the sustainability of production methods. Presentations will also incorporate aspects of commodity markets, economic considerations, and group collaboration. Please note that group presentations will be scheduled during tutorial time slots in Week13. Sub-activity: Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05, L06 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:
- Safety Induction for Practicals
Course guidelines
Safety Induction for Practicals
Anyone undertaking courses with a practical component must complete the UQ Undergraduate Student Laboratory Safety Induction and pass the associated assessment.
Specific instructions, usage guidelines and rules for each of the undergraduate laboratories will be delivered as part of each course.
In some cases, students may be required to attend a specific face-to-face laboratory induction/training session.