Mining Operations Planning Course
Online 300-hour course in mining operations planning. 6 modules covering JORC Code 2012 (reporting of resources and reserves), NI 43-101 (disclosure for mining projects) and Deswik. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Mining Operations Planning Course — studying from Ireland
Ireland's agricultural, forestry, construction and utility sectors rely heavily on off-road vehicles and specialist machinery, creating steady demand for engineers and technicians. Dealers, manufacturers' service networks and specialist fabricators support tractors, earthmoving equipment, forestry machines and bespoke vehicles. Engineers in this area work on hydraulics, powertrain integration, machine safety and maintenance planning. Machinery safety and market surveillance are overseen by national safety and standards authorities in line with European machinery directives.
Fees for Ireland: €448 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Are there professional bodies in Ireland for off-road and specialist vehicle engineers that this qualification relates to?
Off-road and machinery engineers in Ireland often join Engineers Ireland, and agricultural and construction sectors have their own industry associations. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so they do not confer membership, licences or recognition. Confirm entry requirements directly with any body you are considering.
Do Irish employers in agriculture, construction and specialist machinery value this training?
Employers in Ireland's agricultural machinery, construction and plant hire sectors generally weigh practical experience heavily. A private online qualification may support your application, but its value is decided by each employer. The final project can help demonstrate your skills, though no outcome is guaranteed.
Is the programme manageable alongside work, and can my employer pay for it?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study around field or workshop schedules from anywhere in Ireland. Durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course. Fees can be paid in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and each student has an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Translate a resource model into a viable mining plan.
Design the geometry of an open-pit mine: benches, ramps and phases.
Size drilling and blasting while respecting vibration limits.
Calculate the loading and haulage fleet required for a production rate.
Estimate operating costs and prepare the production schedule.
Integrate mining safety and waste management into planning.
Present a complete mining plan with control indicators.
Who it's for
- Mining planning engineer who wants to specialise in Mining Operations Planning.
- Production manager at an open-pit mine who wants to specialise in Mining Operations Planning.
- Drilling and blasting engineer who wants to specialise in Mining Operations Planning.
- Mining cost analyst who wants to specialise in Mining Operations Planning.
- Short-term planner who wants to specialise in Mining Operations Planning.
- Mining fleet management manager who wants to specialise in Mining Operations Planning.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter metal mining.
What you'll work with
- JORC Code 2012 (reporting of resources and reserves)
- NI 43-101 (disclosure of mining projects)
- Royal Decree 863/1985 (General Regulation of Basic Mining Safety Standards)
- Royal Decree 130/2017 (Explosives Regulation)
- UNE 22381 (control of vibrations produced by blasting)
- Royal Decree 975/2009 (management of waste from extractive industries)
- Law 22/1973 (Mining Law)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Geological model and block model1.2Grades, tonnages and cut-off grade1.3Resources and reserves: classification criteria1.4Selection of the mining method1.5Open-pit and underground: decision criteria1.6Planning horizons: long, medium and short term1.7Mining sequence and economic envelopes1.8Dilution, mining losses and recovery1.9Planning team and tools1.10Workshop: reading a block model and its plan
2.1Design of benches, batters and berms2.2Slope angles and geotechnical criteria2.3Ramp design and haulage gradients2.4Access, operating widths and turning radii2.5Design of tips and waste dumps2.6Capacity and life of waste facilities2.7Drainage and pumping of the mine2.8Phase sequencing and pushbacks2.9Closure design from the outset2.10Practice: designing a mining phase
3.1Drilling pattern design and parameters3.2Target fragmentation and its effect on the plant3.3Control of vibrations and flyrock3.4Explosives regulations and responsibilities3.5Coordination of blasting with operations3.6Mechanical excavation and roadheaders3.7Loading of material and equipment selection3.8Grade control at the face3.9Excavation efficiency indicators3.10Practice: planning an excavation campaign
4.1Selection and sizing of the loading fleet4.2Sizing of the haulage fleet4.3Cycles, times and availability factors4.4Operational simulation and bottlenecks4.5Fleet dispatch and dynamic allocation4.6Energy consumption per tonne moved4.7Fleet maintenance and availability4.8Transport alternatives: conveyors and pipelines4.9Automation and remote operation4.10Practice: sizing a haulage fleet
5.1Mine cost structure and cost per tonne5.2Operating and capital budgets5.3Short-term scheduling and compliance5.4Reconciliation between plan and execution5.5Grade control and plant feed blending5.6Operational indicators and dashboard5.7Deviation analysis and corrective actions5.8Management of mining contractors5.9Continuous improvement of operations5.10Practice: weekly schedule and its control
6.1Safety management in mining operations6.2Geotechnical risks and slope monitoring6.3Ventilation and atmosphere in underground workings6.4Water and mining waste management6.5Permits, conditions and environmental monitoring6.6Community relations and social licence6.7Closure plan and progressive rehabilitation6.8Financial guarantees for closure6.9Common errors in mine planning6.10Final project: complete mining plan for a deposit
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which allows them to combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Deswik, Datamine Studio, Maptek Vulcan, Whittle (pit optimisation), advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real pit design procedures and mining phase design, simulation of loading and haulage cycles, and cost-per-tonne analysis. Assessment is continuous for each module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Translate a resource model into a viable mining plan.
Design the geometry of an open-pit mine: benches, ramps and phases.
Size drilling and blasting while respecting vibration limits.
Calculate the loading and haulage fleet required for a production rate.
Estimate operating costs and prepare the production schedule.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow the reading of technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with Deswik, Datamine Studio, Maptek Vulcan, Whittle (pit optimisation) and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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