UWA PLUS
Tailings Testing: An Introduction – Delivered by Future Tails - MINEM503
This introductory level micro-credential has been designed for professionals working in the field of tailings management, but have had little or no formal training in the field. It is best suited to practising engineers, geoscientists or people with significant experience in tailings in an oversight capacity and those wanting to gain knowledge on tailings management strategies.
Participants will learn how various forms of tailings testing are carried out, the types of devices available, and some review of relevant theory to understand what the test is doing. This will be done through the presentation and analysis of real tailings test data.
Tailings Testing - An Introduction is the third micro-credential in the series Introduction to Tailings Management and part of a series of 12 micro-credentials which, if successfully completed, will lead to a Graduate Certificate in Tailings Management* at UWA.
Future Tails is a five-year initiative funded by sponsors Rio Tinto and BHP to facilitate industry understanding of best practice mine tailings management.
- Two PD Points - stackable for academic credit towards the Graduate Certificate in Tailings Management*
- A Certificate of Achievement
- A UWA Plus Professional Development Transcript, listing all successfully completed micro-credentials
*In order to apply for the Graduate Certificate award you must have a Bachelor of Engineering degree or a degree in a related field and have met UWA’s English language competency requirements. Please refer to the Graduate Certificate in Tailings Management.
- Delivery mode
- Online access to learning material, on demand.
- Two online discussion forums will be held for students to discuss the learning material and share their own insights into the topics covered.
- Course dates
- Registrations close
- Effort
- 50 hours (including online learning, personal study time and assessments)
14 July 2025 - 5 September 2025
18 July 2025
- Academic lead
- Dr David Reid
- Cost
- $1,100 inc. GST
- Critical information summary
- MINEM503 Tailings Testing – An Introduction [PDF 244KB]
What you'll learn
Participants will learn how various forms of tailings testing are carried out, the types of devices available, and some review of relevant theory to understand what the test is doing. This will be done through the presentation and analysis of real tailings test data.
Participants will be able to:
Compare the stiffness and permeability of different tailings based on data provided
Calculate different forms of shear strengths from different types of tests, and provide commentary on the benefits of each type of test
Demonstrate an understanding of the limitations and benefits of different test types available to practicing engineers and some of the requirements when specifying each form of test
Why study this course?
As a result of the recent Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), there is increasing demand for tailings professionals at the same time as the industry is experiencing a shortage of personnel with appropriate training. The GISTM will bring rapid change to the way the industry manages tailings and waste. This micro-credential and the subsequent micro-credentials will allow you to keep up with standards, technologies and guidelines dealing with tailings management.
Recommended prior knowledge
It is highly recommended that students take the micro-credentials MINEM501 - Preparation, Transport & Deposition of Tailings and MINEM502 - Basics of Tailings Geotechnics prior to taking MINEM503.
It is best suited to practising engineers, geoscientists or people with significant experience in tailings in an oversight capacity and those wanting to gain knowledge on tailings management strategies. This micro-credential will require engineering numerical skills.
How does it work?
The micro-credential assessment involves one online test and one assignment.
What's next after this course?
This micro-credential is part of a series of 12 online micro-credentials (in development). Students may apply for the Graduate Certificate in Tailings Management* after successfully completing the 12 micro-credentials and associated assessments. The Calendar of micro-credentials can be found here.
Students may be interested in the following micro-credentials offered in October 2023:
- MINMEM521 Tailings Operations - the first in the Tailings Operations and Water Management series; and
- MINEM532 Tailings Monitoring - the second in the Tailings Risk Evaluation series.
*In order to apply for the Graduate Certificate award you must have a Bachelor of Engineering degree or equivalent and have met UWA’s English language competency requirements. Please refer to the Graduate Certificate in Tailings Management.
Apply
Applications are open.
- If you are not an employee of BHP or Rio Tinto, please click here to register and pay for this micro-credential
- If you are an employee of BHP or Rio Tinto and this is your 1st-3rd Tailings Management micro, your fee is covered by your employer. Please click here to register.
- If you are an employee of BHP or Rio Tinto and this is your 4th-12th Tailings Management micro, please click here to register and pay for this micro-credential