RSE3020 Resource estimation
Faculty of Engineering
RSE3020 Resource estimation is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs ENG2005.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before RSE3020
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After RSE3020
No unit lists RSE3020 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Overview
The mineral inventory of a company is quantified through resource or reserve estimates with associated error levels that, in many cases, are unknown. The estimation procedure used by a geologist or engineer should incorporate efforts to minimise errors and assumptions at every level of decision.
This unit focuses on resource and reserve estimation of mineral ores and hydrocarbon deposits, with particular focus on the influence of the in situ geological conditions. You will learn the basics of resource and reserve reporting with particular reference to applicable industry codes. Resource modelling will be taught through computer applications with special consideration of geostatistical techniques.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Report 1WrittenThreshold hurdle20%
- Mid-semester test or numerical exercisesQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle10%
- Report 2ProjectThreshold hurdle20%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Appreciate the difference in sampling methods applicable for various resource types.
- 2
Construct resource models from exploration datasets using industry standard software tools.
- 3
Apply different statistical and geostatistical tools and techniques for evaluating the grade and tonnage of mineral resources.
- 4
Assess the merits and drawbacks of various estimation methods relevant to deposit type and quantify the uncertainty and risk associated with different estimation techniques.
- 5
Generate resources and reserve reports using applicable industry codes.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
You will undertake problem-solving of some real-life problems in mine exploration and estimation resources.
During workshops and online lectures, you will be asked to participate in activities to answer questions and express your opinions about certain topics discussed in class.
You will work on the assignment as a research project where you will apply the research methods to resource estimation problems and arrive at an estimate that can be validated. You will submit a specific commodity you have been assigned besides another research-based report on critical minerals.
Where it fits
RSE3020 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Mohan Yellishetty
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Mohan Yellishetty
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for RSE3020?
You need ENG2005 before you enrol.
When is RSE3020 offered?
In 2025, RSE3020 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is RSE3020?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does RSE3020 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include RSE3020?
RSE3020 is part of Civil engineering, Environmental engineering and Mining engineering.