University Diploma in Mineral Extractives Studies

Program Overview

The University Diploma in Mineral Extractives Studies is a part-time, distance learning program designed for professionals in the mineral extractives industry. It aims to enhance knowledge in mineral extraction, processing, blasting operations, and business management. Through a blended learning model, the program prepares graduates for various management roles by providing a strong foundation in the sector, developing essential skills, and promoting lifelong learning.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The University Diploma in Mineral Extractives Studies is a part-time, distance learning program designed to meet the needs of individuals working in the mineral extractives industry. It is delivered through a blended learning model, combining online learning materials with face-to-face sessions held at the University of Derby's Enterprise Centre. The program aims to:

• Equip learners to address shortfalls in international, national, and local development needs.
• Develop learners' knowledge and understanding of the Mineral Products sector and its global and environmental influences.
• Prepare individuals for management positions in the Mineral Products industry by providing them with the tools, theoretical foundation, and skills relevant to modern business practices.
• Enable learners to develop their intellectual breadth and make integrative links across various areas of their organizations.
• Develop knowledge and skills to enable leaders/managers to be responsive to change.
• Increase capacity for learning, both within the program and as independent lifelong learners after completion.
• Foster role models with responsibility for those in senior positions.
• Provide an academically rigorous and challenging program of study aligned with the QAA Qualification Framework, enhancing critical and reflective practice.
• Offer flexible learning opportunities in a diverse environment that widens participation.

Outline:

The program is structured around four core modules:

• Mineral Extraction and Transportation: This module explores the issues associated with the exploration and development of mineral extraction sites, both in the UK and internationally.
It also covers health, safety, and environmental issues relevant to mineral extraction operations, focusing on risk control and accident prevention.
• Minerals Management and Processing: This module examines health, safety, and environmental issues relevant to extractives operations worldwide, emphasizing risk control and accident prevention.
It also covers sustainable development, reclamation of mineral workings, waste management, best practices in environmental law and legislation, and its implications for the minerals extractives industry. Cement manufacturing is also included.
• Blasting Operations: This module aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of personnel in the field of blasting.
It provides participants with a deeper understanding of blasting requirements, enabling them to carry out their responsibilities safely and environmentally responsibly, minimizing risks of injury or damage and maximizing blasting performance while optimizing operating costs.
• Business and Operational Management (Optional): This module develops the operational, business, and financial knowledge and skills necessary for effective management of a mineral products facility.
It includes an understanding of the human implications of running a successful business, emphasizing communication skills, people management, and values in developing a positive workplace culture. The module also introduces asset management concepts and principles, developing skills in performance measurement and monitoring. To address modern challenges, students are provided with the fundamentals of building a sustainable business and the concept of cyber security.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods to evaluate learners' knowledge, understanding, skills, and capabilities. These methods include:

• Practical projects focused on specific workplaces
• Management and technical reports
• Annotated presentations
• Reflective portfolios or collections of work completed throughout the module/program
• E-assessments via the Virtual Learning Environment
• Problem-solving tasks
• Varied writing tasks and oral assessment
• Practical assessment of professional competence
These assessment approaches promote "deep learning" by testing attainment of knowledge, understanding, skills, and capabilities.

Teaching:

The program is influenced by the principles of work-based learning, employing a flexible range of teaching and learning methodologies tailored to specific groups or practices. These methodologies include:

• Learning opportunities identified and taken directly from the learner's workplace situation
• Action learning sets and other facilitated group activities
• Individual reflection on learning
• Technology-enhanced learning using a sophisticated virtual learning environment (VLE)
At the undergraduate level, the emphasis is on fostering independent learning while providing a supportive environment for higher-level study. A key aim of any undergraduate program is to produce independent learners capable of managing their time and resources effectively, identifying issues, collecting and analyzing evidence, reaching reasoned evidence-based conclusions, and presenting this information through various communication methods (written and oral).

Careers:

The program prepares individuals for a range of career paths within the mineral extractives industry, including:

• Operational managers
• Assistant managers
• Supervisors
• Graduate employees specializing in the sector
• Employees from industry suppliers/manufacturers seeking knowledge of the sector to better serve their clients
• Consultants seeking broader knowledge within the mineral products environment to support their services

Other:

The program is designed to appeal to a wide audience, including:

• Operational managers, assistant managers, and supervisors within the industry who have significant experience but limited qualifications and wish to improve their competence.
• Graduate employees who already possess a degree in a related subject (e.g., mining engineering or geology) but need to specialize in the sector.
• Employees from industry suppliers/manufacturers who would like to gain knowledge of the sector to better serve their specific industry clients.
• Consultants who would like to gain knowledge in a wider sense within the mineral products environment to support the service they provide.

UK/EU students £2,575 International students £3,165 Optional modules UK/EU students?£910 International students?£1,130