Mining Engineering Technician

In this course, students will learn essential skills for success in college and the workplace. This course focuses on developing and strengthening oral and written communication skills and critical thinking ability. During this course, students will engage in a variety of forms of communication with a focus on upholding the principles of academic integrity. Students will develop the skills necessary to create discipline-specific documents, practice business etiquette and professionalism, and apply critical thinking strategies to practical scenarios. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to plan and draft concise, coherent and well-organized writing assignments that are tailored to specific audiences and purposes.

42 Hours

This course introduces the student to health and safety in their home, in society, and within an occupational setting. Students learn about the social and personal benefits of safe work practices and the methods to best prevent accidents or injuries. Students will review the role, rights and responsibilities of an individual in today’s health and safety-conscious world. Students also learn how to read and interpret the Occupational Act and Regulations.

42 Hours

In this course, students will gain practical experience with Microsoft Excel for Windows. Excel will be used to prepare various reports, presentations, and applications that directly align with the critical-thinking requirements of the workplace. Students will gain practical experience working with formulas and functions, developing and enhancing financial reports, organizing data with charts, data lists, and tables, managing multiple worksheets, workbooks, and external data sources, developing macros, using conditional functions, working with financial tools and functions, and performing what-if analysis.

42 Hours

This is an introductory course designed to teach students the basics of using the AutoCAD drafting software to create 2-dimensional drawings. Lessons include using the draw, modify, layering and annotation commands.

56 Hours

This course covers basic algebra properties, graphing the straight line, basic geometry and trigonometry, and solving a system of equations graphically and algebraically. It also covers vector addition by components and by the cosine and sine laws.

56 Hours

Students prepare for the fieldwork co-op placement by identifying specific competencies and requirements for the placement, reviewing the Fieldwork Placement Manual, and examining his/her role in relation to field placement expectations. Policies, processes, roles, responsibilities, and expectations relating to fieldwork placement will be discussed. This course will introduce the student to the concept of reflective practice and professional development. This course will help the student clarify his/her expectations and prepare for a successful fieldwork placement experience.

14 Hours

This course is an introduction to the basic principles of Plane Surveying. The theory and use of GPS, total stations, steel tapes, and levels will be covered. Basic surveying calculations for direction, coordinates and area will be included.

42 Hours

Explore the foundational principles of mineralogy and geology essential to mining. Develop the skills to identify and classify minerals using specialized methods. Learn to identify igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic types, and the processes involved in their formation. Build knowledge of key geological concepts, including plate tectonics, geological time and structures. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on accurate observation, testing, and interpretation to support effective exploration and mine planning.

42 Hours

This is a course in general chemistry designed to provide a fundamental background for students to understand chemical concepts and to appreciate the applications and implications of chemistry in technology and society.

42 Hours

In this course, students will develop professional communication skills required for success in the workplace. Students will continue to develop and strengthen their oral and written communication skills and critical thinking abilities. During this course, students will use various modes of communication to complete assignments designed to meet program and professional expectations. Students will utilize a variety of technologies for the purpose of creating a professional presence in a digital environment. Students will develop the necessary skills to create polished workplace documents such as letters, resumes, cover letters and reports tailored to specific audiences. Students will learn to conduct themselves with professionalism in both workplace interviews and job searches.  Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to create clear, concise and coherent workplace and employment documents that are error-free and designed for specific audiences and purposes.

42 Hours

This course covers foundational understanding of how mining and mineral exploration activities interact with the natural environment, and the skills required to monitor and manage those impacts responsibly. Learn how to collect, analyze, and document environmental data related to water quality, air and dust emissions, waste rock, and site conditions using industry‑standard sampling techniques and monitoring tools. Explore regulatory requirements, permitting considerations, and environmental management systems that guide modern mining and mineral exploration operations. Emphasis is placed on applying environmental monitoring results to support compliance, inform operational decision‑making, including Indigenous community consultation, and contribute to sustainable resource development throughout the mining cycle.

42 hours

Explore the fundamentals of geospatial technology and its applications in mining and resource management. Gain a solid understanding of GIS concepts, terminology, and the role of spatial data. Learn to create, manage, and analyze data using GIS tools, and examine database systems, data modelling, and digital mapping techniques. Discover how drones are used for surveying and monitoring, including flight principles, safety regulations, and hands-on operation. Dive into LiDAR technology to collect, process, and visualize high-resolution data for creating 3D maps, elevation models, and environmental assessments. This course blends theory with practical skills to prepare you for modern geospatial workflows.

42 hours

MA2104 is the second course in the math stream for students in an Engineering Technician / Technology program.  The emphasis of this course is on solving equations relating to quadratics, logarithms, exponentials, with sections on factoring, fractional equations, manipulating exponent and radical expressions, and complex numbers, and for some programs studying systems of linear equations and determinants.  Applications of the basic concepts, to particular fields of study, will be covered. The second semester Mathematics course is designed to give the student the mathematical tools required to function in his/her special field of study. Students are encouraged to seek help after class hours if problems are encountered in the course.  Every effort will be made to identify problem areas to the student, but in the final analysis, it is the responsibility of the student to ask for help.

56 Hours

Explore the fundamentals of automation and instrumentation systems that drive modern mining operations. Learn to interpret and operate equipment used to measure and control process parameters for accuracy and efficiency. Develop skills in identifying and troubleshooting system components while following safety and technical specifications. Gain hands-on experience operating and adjusting electronic and computer-based controllers to optimize performance, and understand both wired and wireless automation components. You’ll also prepare and analyze documentation, technical reports, and drawings that meet industry standards, building a strong foundation for integrating automation into mining processes.

56 hours

Introduces the principles and practices used to understand how economically important mineral deposits form, are distributed, and can be identified in the field. Students will learn to recognize common ore and gangue minerals and explore the geological processes that create and modify mineral deposits. Emphasis is placed on major ore deposit models, including their key characteristics, diagnostic features, and exploration significance.

42 hours

Explore practical and theoretical aspects of surface mining operations, focusing on blasting, ground control, and ventilation systems. Design and optimize drill and blast packages, manage explosives inventory, and conduct QA/QC audits for safe blasting practices. Learn ground control techniques such as mapping, applying support standards, installing instruments, and modeling mining stresses. Gain hands-on experience in monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization while emphasizing safety, regulatory compliance, and technical reporting.

42 Hours

MI3063 Co-op

420 hours

General Education Courses are selected online each semester by the student from a list provided and expose students to a related area of study outside of their immediate academic discipline. Certain programs have predetermined electives.

42 Hours

Improving your knowledge and understanding of the history of the Indigenous peoples of what we now call Canada is an important step to enable Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, organizations, and communities to work together more respectfully. Throughout this course you will have the opportunity to learn, discuss and reflect about many topics that are relevant in the learning journey towards reconciliation.

42 Hours

MA3033 focuses on additional topics in algebra, geometry and trigonometry. Applications from many fields of technology are explored to show where and how mathematical techniques are used in the real world. Emphasis is placed on doing mathematics.

The learner is expected to apply time and effort to understanding the basic concepts. The learner is also expected to apply time and effort in demonstrating acquired knowledge by solving basic word problems involving technical applications. Using mathematics effectively in everyday situations requires the ability to apply a wide variety of mathematical skills accurately.

Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated their ability to apply the concepts of number and space to situations which include quantities, magnitudes, measurements, and ratios. They will have developed their ability to identify the need for mathematics, to apply mathematical techniques (concepts, conventions, strategies, and operations) and to check the results of their analyses. This will require flexibility, creativity and confidence, which can only be gained through practice.

56 hours

Discover the essential processes that transform raw ore into valuable products. This foundational introduction to the key physical and chemical processes used to extract and upgrade valuable minerals from ore. Exploring the fundamental unit operations of comminution, classification, gravity separation, magnetic separation, flotation, and dewatering, gaining an understanding of how each stage contributes to overall plant performance.  Operate bench‑scale crushers, mills, classifiers, flotation cells, and filtration equipment to observe process behavior, measure performance variables, and analyze material responses. Emphasis is placed on safety, equipment function, flowsheet concepts, and developing the practical skills necessary to support mineral processing activities in mining operations.

56 hours

Discover the technical skills needed for safe and efficient underground mining operations. Work on designing drill and blast packages, managing explosives inventory, and conducting QA/QC audits. Practice ground control through mapping, applying support standards, and modeling mining stresses. Learn ventilation techniques including airflow measurement, air quality assessment, and infrastructure inspection. Build proficiency in troubleshooting, technical reporting, and optimization to prepare for critical roles in modern underground mining.

42 hours

Explore geological and mine mapping techniques for surface and underground environments. Map underground faces, backs, walls, and development headings, as well as open pit walls and benches. Collect grade control samples, conduct bedrock mapping, and document observations through notes, sketches, and photographs. Assist in reconciling geological models with mined geology and setting up underground drill holes. Focus on accuracy, detail, and systematic recording to support effective mine planning and resource management.

42 hours

This course builds essential skills for effective geological sampling in exploration and resource evaluation. It covers designing and prioritizing sampling schedules, collecting representative samples from trenches, outcrops, drill holes, and stockpiles, and organizing geophysical and geochemical data. Training includes industry-standard QA/QC practices and hands-on work with drill core—maintaining orientation, photographing core, assessing recovery and RQD, preparing samples for assay, and documenting observations to NI 43-101 standards. Emphasis is placed on precision, consistency, and systematic recording to ensure high-quality geological data.

42 hours

Mine Planning and Development introduces the fundamental principles, tools, and processes for designing and advancing both surface and underground mining operations. The course explores how geological information, survey data, ground control requirements, and production objectives are translated into practical mine layouts, development headings, stope designs, and short-term schedules. Learners develop skills in interpreting engineering drawings, creating basic operational plans, and updating planning databases while learning how ventilation, dewatering, and backfill systems influence mine design. Emphasis is placed on integrating safety standards, regulatory requirements, and operational constraints into planning decisions, as well as understanding how daily, weekly, and monthly mine plans support efficient, safe, and sustainable resource extraction throughout the mining cycle.

42 hours

General Education Courses are selected online each semester by the student from a list provided and exposes students to a related area of study outside of their immediate academic discipline. Certain programs have predetermined electives.

42 Hours

This is a basic introductory course in Calculus. Students learn the language of calculus and apply the rules to simple engineering problems. The course includes the derivative of algebraic functions with applications to trajectory motion and minimum and maximum problems. An introduction to integration, with algebraic functions, is also taught with some basic applications to area, volumes of revolution, displacement-velocity-acceleration and other applied engineering problems.

Prerequisite: Mathematics III (MA3105 or MA3033) with 60%.

56 Hours

Mineral Processing – Unit Optimization builds on the foundational concepts from Unit Operations, advancing students’ knowledge of how mineral processing circuits are monitored, evaluated, and optimized for recovery, throughput, and efficiency. Learners analyze key performance indicators such as grind size, reagent dosage, slurry density, and mass balance results, and use these measurements to troubleshoot plant performance and recommend improvements. Students work with process data, sampling techniques, and diagnostic tools to understand how variations in feed characteristics, equipment settings, and operational conditions impact circuit behaviour. The course prepares Mining Engineering Technicians to support metallurgical evaluation, continuous improvement initiatives, and plant optimization in modern mineral processing environments.

56 hours

Drill, Blast, and Design builds on foundational blasting and ground control concepts introduced in earlier courses, such as Surface Mining and Underground Mining, and advances understanding of how drill-and-blast activities are planned, executed, and optimized in real mining environments. The course explores blast design principles, drilling patterns, explosive selection, timing systems, and quality assurance practices that influence fragmentation, ground stability, and overall operational efficiency. Through practical components, including hands-on exercises with blast design software and analysis of field data, students learn to evaluate blast performance, identify potential issues, and apply industry best practices to support safe and effective production blasting. The course prepares Mining Engineering Technician graduates to contribute confidently to drill-and-blast teams and to understand how blasting decisions impact the mining cycle.

56 hours

Through this Capstone Project gain essential skills to support and optimize mining operations. Collect and analyze production data, digitize records, and prepare performance reports. Schedule equipment and personnel, conduct time studies, and perform fragmentation analysis. Develop expertise in quality assurance and control, including inspections and documentation, while assisting with project planning, budgeting, and procurement. Focus on operational optimization and accurate reporting within a structured quality management framework.

56 hours

Mine Maintenance Planning provides a comprehensive view of how maintenance activities are organized, scheduled, and integrated across the entire mining value chain—from pit equipment and underground fleets to mineral processing plants. The course equips technicians with the contextual understanding needed to collaborate effectively with maintenance teams, supervisors, and operations personnel. Students learn how work orders are generated and prioritized, how preventive and predictive maintenance programs are developed, and how equipment downtime, parts availability, and labour resources influence production schedules. The course emphasizes interpreting maintenance data, understanding reliability principles, and recognizing how maintenance decisions impact safety, productivity, and overall operational efficiency. Upon completion, learners will be able to communicate effectively with trades and planning staff, contribute to maintenance scheduling discussions, and apply systems thinking to understand how well‑planned maintenance supports the continuity and performance of mining operations.

42 hours

Mining and Mineral Exploration Finance introduces the fundamental economic and financial concepts that guide decision-making in the mining and mineral exploration sectors. Develop an understanding of how exploration programs, mining projects, and mineral processing operations are budgeted, costed, and evaluated, with emphasis on capital versus operating costs, cash‑flow modelling, cost drivers, and the financial risks unique to the mining industry. Examine how commodity prices, market conditions, regulatory requirements, and project timelines influence financial planning throughout the mine life cycle. Learn to interpret financial statements, assess project viability, and understand how financing strategies, investment models, and economic assessments support exploration programs and operational decisions. Communicate basic financial insights, recognize the economic implications of technical decisions, and contribute to financially informed planning in mining and exploration environments.

42 hours