800 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
mining engineers view the mill/downstream processes as a
‘black box’.” An example of missing qualifications wrote by
respondents that can be addressed under criterion (6) was
“It seems the ability to apply comminution science is weak,
and in some cases misunderstood.”
All the missing qualifications that were matched with
the criteria were provided by respondents who worked either
in a mining/metallurgical operation company or a mining/
metallurgical consulting company. One exception occurred
under criterion (5). The missing qualifications within cri-
terion (5) were provided by respondents who worked in a
mining/metallurgical operation company, a mining/metal-
lurgical consulting company, and an engineering, procure-
ment and construction management (EPCM) company.
Figure 5 presents frequencies of missing qualifications
that are under other categories. These missing qualifications
were further grouped into three areas: sufficient experience
in the field, develop skills and knowledge in general areas,
and build confidence and interest. Frequencies of missing
qualifications mentioned by respondents within these three
areas ranges from 2 to 5. Five missing qualifications were
categorized as “sufficient experience in the field,” two were
Table 1. Independent samples t-tests for qualifications of graduates derived from the overall curriculums
Question
Affiliated with an
Operation Co. M SD t df p d
Current graduates have demonstrated a reasonable grasp
on the connection between theory and practice.
Yes (n =15) 3.87 1.64 −0.87 26 0.395 −0.33
No (n =13) 4.38 1.50
Current graduates have sufficient communication skills
for their first professional careers.
Yes (n =15) 5.07 1.49 0.11 26 0.912 0.04
No (n =13) 5.00 1.68
Mining/metallurgical engineering students should have a
good understanding of the overall mining operation, e.g.,
the mine-to-mill approach.
Yes (n =15) 6.20 1.01 0.49 26 0.630 0.19
No (n =13) 6.00 1.16
Current mining and metallurgical engineering graduates
have demonstrated sufficient understanding of the overall
mining operation.
Yes (n =15) 3.67 1.29 −2.37 26 0.013 −0.90
No (n =13) 4.85 1.35
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
(1) Identify, formulate, and solve complex
enginnering problems
(2) Apply engineering design to produce
solutions that meet specified needs
(3) Communicate effectively with a range of
audiences
(4) Recognize ethical and professional
responsibilities and make informed judgements
(5) Function effectively on a team
(6) Develop and conduct appropriate
experimentation, analyze and interpret data
(7) Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed
Mining/metallurgical operation
Mining/metallurgical consulting
Engineering procurement, construction, and management (EPCM)
Figure 4. Frequencies of missing qualifications
mining engineers view the mill/downstream processes as a
‘black box’.” An example of missing qualifications wrote by
respondents that can be addressed under criterion (6) was
“It seems the ability to apply comminution science is weak,
and in some cases misunderstood.”
All the missing qualifications that were matched with
the criteria were provided by respondents who worked either
in a mining/metallurgical operation company or a mining/
metallurgical consulting company. One exception occurred
under criterion (5). The missing qualifications within cri-
terion (5) were provided by respondents who worked in a
mining/metallurgical operation company, a mining/metal-
lurgical consulting company, and an engineering, procure-
ment and construction management (EPCM) company.
Figure 5 presents frequencies of missing qualifications
that are under other categories. These missing qualifications
were further grouped into three areas: sufficient experience
in the field, develop skills and knowledge in general areas,
and build confidence and interest. Frequencies of missing
qualifications mentioned by respondents within these three
areas ranges from 2 to 5. Five missing qualifications were
categorized as “sufficient experience in the field,” two were
Table 1. Independent samples t-tests for qualifications of graduates derived from the overall curriculums
Question
Affiliated with an
Operation Co. M SD t df p d
Current graduates have demonstrated a reasonable grasp
on the connection between theory and practice.
Yes (n =15) 3.87 1.64 −0.87 26 0.395 −0.33
No (n =13) 4.38 1.50
Current graduates have sufficient communication skills
for their first professional careers.
Yes (n =15) 5.07 1.49 0.11 26 0.912 0.04
No (n =13) 5.00 1.68
Mining/metallurgical engineering students should have a
good understanding of the overall mining operation, e.g.,
the mine-to-mill approach.
Yes (n =15) 6.20 1.01 0.49 26 0.630 0.19
No (n =13) 6.00 1.16
Current mining and metallurgical engineering graduates
have demonstrated sufficient understanding of the overall
mining operation.
Yes (n =15) 3.67 1.29 −2.37 26 0.013 −0.90
No (n =13) 4.85 1.35
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
(1) Identify, formulate, and solve complex
enginnering problems
(2) Apply engineering design to produce
solutions that meet specified needs
(3) Communicate effectively with a range of
audiences
(4) Recognize ethical and professional
responsibilities and make informed judgements
(5) Function effectively on a team
(6) Develop and conduct appropriate
experimentation, analyze and interpret data
(7) Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed
Mining/metallurgical operation
Mining/metallurgical consulting
Engineering procurement, construction, and management (EPCM)
Figure 4. Frequencies of missing qualifications