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Mining and Petroleum

Version: 0.1
(Aug 8, 2007)

Teaching

Students and others at the University of Alberta can review the Universal Student Ratings of Instructors.

An important aspect of my teaching is geostatistics at the graduate level. At this level, much of the teaching is through individually directed research work; however, I have four graduate classes. The 614/615 series of courses are taught every second year and the 612/613 are taught every year.

MIN E 612: Theoretical Geostatistics I

Geostatistical methods are presented for characterizing the spatial distribution of regionalized variables such as ore grades, porosity, permeability, and contaminant concentrations. This class focuses on the geostatistical methodologies for quantifying spatial variability with variograms / covariance functions, estimation with kriging techniques, and stochastic simulation with Gaussian, indicator, and annealing-based methods. Important subjects such as uncertainty quantification, volume-variance relations, and modeling with multiple variables will also be addressed. Case studies will be presented from mining, petroleum, and environmental engineering. Students will undertake a variety of theoretical and practical assignments. This course is intended for students from a wide background - suitable for students from earth science and other engineering disciplines.

MIN E 613: Practical Geostatistics I

Project class where students work individually or in small teams to solve practical problems with geostatistics. MIN E 612 should naturally be taken before MIN E 613; however, exceptions may be made with instructors consent. This course is suitable to all graduates of the 612 course who actually want to put the geostatistical tools into practice.

MIN E 614: Theoretical Geostatistics II

Special topics in geostatistical theory are covered in fourteen weeks of instruction. Advanced topics include the generation of pseudo-random numbers, Monte Carlo simulation by the quantile, transformation, and acceptance/rejection methods, spatial simulation by recursive application of Bayes law, LU decomposition, moving average methods, spectral and fractal techniques, sequential Gaussian and Direct simulation, Trend modeling with universal kriging, intrinsic random functions of order-k, and other manual techniques for trend mapping, Isofactorial models and disjuctive kriging, change of support, object-based and simulated annealing methods for facies and rock-type modeling, and so on. This class focues on those advanced topics that would not be covered in a first graduate course on geostatistics. Students will undertake a variety of theoretical and computer-based assignments. This course is primarily intended for those students who want to master geostatistics.

MIN E 615: Practical Geostatistics II

Project class where students work individually or in small teams to solve practical problems with geostatistics. MIN E 612, 613, and 614 should be taken before MIN E 615; however, exceptions may be made with instructors consent. The projects will involve advanced aspects of facies and rock type modeling, simulation using Gaussian and non-Gaussian techniques, validation of results by extensive cross validation and process performance evaluation. This course is primarily intended for advanced students in geostatistics.

MIN E 310: Ore Reserve Estimation

Conventional and geostatistical methods for construction of orebody models. Contouring techniques for mapping bounding surfaces of stratigraphic layers. Coordinate transforms and geometric techniques for modeling rock types. Estimation and simulation methods for characterizing ore grade variability. Students will learn the principles and procedures for constructing orebody models in a variety of geologic settings. Specialized topics such as ore reserve classification, uncertainty assessment, mine selectivity, and grade control will also be covered. A variety of public-domain and commercial software will be used for a series of laboratories.

MIN E 295: Introduction to Mining Engineering

Basic mining concepts and terminology; company operations, stages of mining, unit mining operations; surface mine development and methods; underground mine development and methods; mining methods selection and comparison; feasibility studies and mine costs. Laboratories will cover case studies, basic mine design problems, mine visits and mining films / videos. Students will also undertake small group projects on the operations of selected Canadian mining companies.