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Credential Earned
Ontario College DiplomaProgram Length
4 SemestersProgram Status
Open -
The BYOD initiative allows you to have access to tools and resources. Review BYOD information prior to the start of your program to ensure you have a system that meets requirements.
- Tuition and Fees Distance Learning Second Career
Bring Your Own DeviceDelivery
• 4 Semesters if full time; at your own pace if part-time
• Full-Time Distance Learning (two 2-week on-site field schools mandatory)
Program Codes
Program codes are for September intakes except those that are indicated differently.
M042 (CH) Distance Learning – Haileybury Campus
M002 (HL) Haileybury Campus – On site through distance education
M037 (KL) On site through distance learning – Kirkland Lake Campus
M044 (PC) On site through distance learning – Timmins Campus
Below are requirements or forms relating to this program.
AutoCAD System Requirements (PDF, 99.5Kb)
Other Forms
Request for Student Photo ID – Distance Students
Approval of Invigilation Form
Field School Supplies
Request to Write/Submit a Test, Exam or Assignment on a Different Date
Publicity and Promotion Consent Form
Program Description
The technician is part of the engineering team, involved in all aspects of mining from exploration, planning, development and operation, to mineral extraction and environmental control. This program is offered in a modular distance – education format that allows you to take courses from the comfort of your home, avoid long commutes, minimize accommodation and living costs while studying, maintain your employment, as well as develop sound communication and computer skills. Distance theory education is coupled with yearly field school components which are held at the Haileybury campus during the spring.
Important Information
The Mining Engineering Technician program is a blended program combining on-site and distance learning. Students require the use of a personal computer to access course content, submit assignments, and complete online tests. It is recommended that students have the following minimum hardware requirements to effectively participate in the program.
System hardware Requirements (PDF, 28.41 KB).
Career Opportunities
Graduates may find employment as: surveyors, planners, production supervisors, assayers, process operators, metallurgical technicians, exploration or mine geological technicians, government mine inspectors, mine technicians (ventilation, ground control, environmental, projects), and/or sales and technical representatives.
Delivery Method/Experience by Campus
Location: Haileybury Campus
Delivery: Some courses are delivered by on-site face-to-face professors, and most courses are in a web-based format and are completed in a self-guided environment with due dates for assignments and tests. Some professors are available onsite to answer questions related to the web-based courses.
Delivery: Courses are delivered in a web-based format and are completed in a self-guided environment with due dates for assignments and tests. Students have phone, email, and blackboard collaborate access to professors who assists with any questions the student might have, and also provide feedback to the assessments the students complete.
Delivery: Some courses are delivered by on-site face-to-face professors, and many courses are in a web-based format and are completed in a self-guided environment with due dates for assignments and tests. Students have phone and email access to professors who assist with any questions the student might have, and also provide feedback to the assessments the students complete.
Delivery: Some courses are delivered by on-site face-to-face professors, and many courses are in a web-based format and are completed in a self-guided environment with due dates for assignments and tests. Students have phone and email access to professors who assist with any questions the student might have, and also provide feedback to the assessments the students complete.
Location: Mining Engineering Technician at the Haileybury School of Mines at Confederation College in Thunder Bay
Delivery: Students are integrated into student life at Confederation College in Thunder Bay. Some courses are taught onsite, face-to-face in a traditional classroom setting, while other are delivered in a video/web-based format with phone and email access to professors who assist with any questions the student might have and also provide feedback to the assessments the students complete.
Contact Information
mining@northern.on.ca
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Grade 12 English (C, U)
Grade 12 Math (C, U) (MCT4C preferred; MAP4C is accepted with a minimum GPA of 60%)
Grade 12 Chemistry (C, U) recommended
Grade 12 Physics (C, U) recommended
Or equivalent
Or mature student status (an applicant who does not have a high school diploma or equivalent, and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program). Mature students must undergo academic testing prior to admission into a program. Call the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 for more details. Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading on any of Northern College’s campuses.
Semester 1
CH1033 Chemistry
CM1903 Communications I – Model A
GN1033 Health and Safety
MA1100 Mathematics I
MI1003 Mineralogy and Geology I
MI1033 Introduction to Mining
MI1103 Surveying Principles I
Semester 2
CM2903 Communications II – Model A
IN1224 CAD I
MA2104 Mathematics II
MI1004 Mineral Processing I
MI1032 Mining Physics (half-semester course)
MI2004 Mineralogy and Geology II
MI2043 Mining II (Surface Mining)
*Field School I:
MI3043 Surveying II, MI3163 Mineralogy and Geology III
The Mining Engineering Technician program requires two Field School components to be completed on-site in Haileybury. The Field Schools are typically two weeks in length and take place in May.
Semester 3
GN2133 Law and Ethics
MA3033 Mathematics III (Haileybury Campus)
MA3105 Mathematics III (Timmins Campus)
MI3002 Safety and Loss Control II (half-semester course)
MI3033 Mining III (Underground Mining)
MI3093 Surveying III
MI4004 Mineralogy and Geology IV
MI6053 Ground Control
Semester 4
EL1103 Gen Ed Elective I
IN4052 AutoCAD II
MA4013 Mathematics IV Statistics (Haileybury Campus)
MA6022 Statistics (Timmins Campus)
MI2002 Effective Supervision I
MI3053 Mining Economics (half-semester course)
MI3083 Environmental Principles (half-semester course)
MI4083 Mineralogy and Geology V
MI6044 Mine Ventilation (half-semester course)
*Field School II:
MI4013 Surveying IV, MI4043 Mineral Processing II, MI4093 Mineralogy and Geology VI
The Mining Engineering Technician program requires two Field School components to be completed on-site in Haileybury. The Field Schools are typically two weeks in length and take place in May.
Semester 1
CH1033 Chemistry
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.
CM1903 Communications I – Model A
Communications I is a practical course designed to help strengthen essential oral and written communication skills. Students will be exposed to a variety of learning methods and communication formats. Emphasis will be placed on the use of appropriate structure, writing conventions, tone and style as well as the enhancement of interpersonal, teamwork and presentation skills. Students will also develop discipline-specific documents, practice proper business etiquette and learn the importance of ethical behaviour and professionalism in the classroom and workplace. Attention to detail is emphasized.
*Students for whom English is not their first language students will receive additional language support through the concurrent delivery of CM1933 (Enhanced Comm1) which focuses on the foundational grammar, punctuation and sentence structure skills essential to academic success.
CM1933-Enhanced Communications I
Enhanced Communications I is a practical class designed to help non-native English speakers improve their English skills so they can successfully complete their college program of choice. Through formal lessons and interactive activities, students acquire new vocabulary and apply various grammar concepts. Topics covered in this class include, but are not limited to, punctuation, sentence structure, verbs, function words, and capitalization. Students who require additional help in English will take Enhanced Communications I and Communications I simultaneously. In addition to language support, Enhanced Communications I provides support to those who are struggling with the course content and/or assignments in Communications I.
GN1033 Health and Safety
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, right 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.
MA1100 Mathematics I
This course covers basic algebra properties, graphing the straight line, basic geometry and trigonometry, and solving a system of equations algebraically. This course also covers vector addition by components and by the cosine and sine laws.
MI1003 Mineralogy and Geology I
The geology of the Precambrian, Palaeozoic and Cenozoic eras is introduced in this course. Students are introduced to mapping techniques and the “art” of visualization. Topics include basic geological structures, historical geology and physical processes such as glaciation. Mineralogy is introduced through the physical properties of minerals.
MI1033 Introduction to Mining
This course discusses the origin and history of mining and its contributions to ancient and modern civilizations. Students are introduced to basic geological and mining terminology, mineral reserve estimation, the mining sequence and to some of the legal requirements governing mining activities.
MI1103 Surveying Principles I
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of mining surveying. Basic measurement and calculation techniques are introduced. Principles of measurement theory, error propagation and error analysis are also introduced. The course objective is to give students transferable generic surveying skills and concepts that have application no matter what technology they encounter.
Semester 2
CM2903 Communications II – Model A
Communications 2 is a one-semester course that applies the oral and written communication tools learned in the first semester to specific business/technical applications as required by industry today. The student will enhance writing skills acquired in COMM1 and learn to produce effective documents including business letters, emails, employment documents as well as reports applicable to their field of study. Students will also learn how to plan and participate in meeting situations and participate in mock interviews (as applicable) so that they are prepared to transition into the competitive employment market. Students will continue to learn and apply proper language and grammatical structures and apply editing strategies to business/technical documents through both in-class/online activities and through the usage of the customized MyLab online grammar tool. As with COMM1, the content will be inclusive and reflect the diverse workplace that students will find themselves in in the future.
*Students for whom English is not their first language will receive additional language support through the concurrent delivery of CM2933 (Enhanced Comm2) which continues to focus on the foundational grammar, punctuation and sentence structure skills introduced in CM1933.
CM2933-Enhanced Communications II
Enhanced Communications II is a practical class designed to help non-native English speakers improve their English skills so they can successfully complete their college program of choice. Through formal lessons and interactive activities, students acquire new vocabulary and apply various grammar concepts. Topics covered in this class include, but are not limited to, word choice, sentence fragments, run-on sentences, formal/informal style and figurative language. Students who require additional help in English will take Enhanced Communications II and Communications II simultaneously. In additional to language support, Enhanced Communications II provides support to those who are struggling with the course content and/or assignments in Communications II.
IN1224 CAD I
This course provides students with the ability to produce two-dimensional drawings and details using computer-aided drafting. Students become acquainted with the skills and terminology required for a CAD environment.
MA2104 Mathematics II
This course covers exponents and radicals, the quadratic equation, ratio, proportion and variation, exponentials and logarithms, and vector addition by components and by the cosine and sine laws.
MI1004 Mineral Processing I
This course will introduce the student to mineral processing theory, equipment and process. It will look at the steps involved in basic mineral processing of ores, from extraction to the disposal of tailings.
MI1032 Mining Physics (half-semester course)
This is a half-semester course. This course reviews concepts of metric and British systems of units, conversions, vectors, statics, motion, force, work, and energy. The objective of this course is to familiarize students with the basic principles of physics that have application in many of the technologies associated with mining, geology and metallurgy.
MI2004 Mineralogy and Geology II
This course is the continuation of the study of minerals including native elements, sulphides, arsenides, and some oxides. Also physical geology is studied with topics including maps, an introduction to air photos, mineral exploration, processes affecting and forming the earth, and some qualitative geochemical analysis.
MI2043 Mining II (Surface Mining)
This course introduces basic engineering principles used for the design and development of surface mines. The various types of methods and material handling systems used in the exploitation of surface mines are also discussed.
*Field School I:
MI3043 Surveying II, MI3163 Mineralogy and Geology III
The Mining Engineering Technician program requires two Field School components to be completed on-site in Haileybury. The Field Schools are typically two weeks in length and take place in May.
Semester 3
GN2133 Law and Ethics
This course provides a basis for legal and ethical issues of importance to graduates and specifically covers torts, professional liability and contract law. Its goal is to begin preparing the student for professional designations and/or examinations.
MA3033 Mathematics III (Haileybury Campus)
This course further extends the study of technical applications of mathematics. Topics include: exponential and logarithmic functions, empirical equations, graphs of trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities, solutions to different systems of equations, and plane analytic geometry.
MA3105 Mathematics III (Timmins Campus)
This course covers topics such as: graphs of trigonometric functions; trigonometric identities and equations; the study of analytic geometry and the study of inequalities. The students will also be introduced to the rate of change and its relation to graphs and the derivative.
MI3002 Safety and Loss Control II (half-semester course)
This is a half-semester course. This course examines the concepts of Safety and Loss Control in organizations. Students will review the elements of a well-designed Occupational Health and Safety program, the principle of due diligence, the basic causes of accidents and/or injuries as well as practices used to identify, control and evaluate hazards in the workplace.
MI3033 Mining III (Underground Mining)
This course starts with a review of basic mining nomenclature, calculations, processes, planning and guiding tools and other activities performed at the exploration & evaluation stages of the mining sequence. Next, rules-of-thumb and basic engineering principles used for the design, development and exploitation of underground mines are introduced. Various types of underground mine development openings, mining methods, rock breakage and material handling systems used in underground mining are also discussed.
MI3093 Surveying III
The survey course is project oriented with the objectives of making the student familiar with differential leveling methods, the operation and care of optical theodolites, as well as the application of basic underground surveying procedures and calculations.
MI4004 Mineralogy and Geology IV
This course is designed to continue field mapping techniques, specifically on a detailed grid, as well as traverse mapping. Concurrently, students will cover a course in Exploration Geochemistry (concepts, practical computer exercises and limited field work), as well as be introduced to GPS systems. Advanced topics in Plate Tectonics will also be introduced. These skills will be practiced in Mineralogy and Geology IV.
MI6053 Ground Control
This course covers intact rock properties, rock mass characteristics and classification. Other topics include: geo-technical data collection, rock stress distribution and failure, induced stresses around openings, underground opening and pillar design, rock reinforcement and support, ground support systems, such as mesh, bolt, cable and shot Crete, and ground system design.
Semester 4
EL1103 Gen Ed Elective I
*Field School II: The Mining Engineering Technician program requires two Field School components to be completed on-site in Haileybury. The Field Schools are typically two weeks in length and take place in May. MI4013 Surveying IV, MI4043 Mineral Processing II, MI4093 Mineralogy and Geology VI
IN4052 AutoCAD II
This course first reviews the basic drawings, editing and display commands used in Release 2013. Advanced drawing, editing and display commands relating to blocks, Xrefs, attributes, and hatching are learned. Commands for drawing and modelling in 3-D are introduced. Practical assignments relate to office plans, wireframing, geology plans and cross-sections, 3-D visualization and a milling flow sheet.
MA4013 Mathematics IV Statistics (Haileybury Campus)
This is an introductory course in statistics with applications to mining and geology. Topics include: construction of frequency distribution, tendency of variation measures, descriptive statistics, probability rules and distributions, sampling and estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, regression and correlation analyses, non-parametric tests and basic geostatistics.
MA6022 Statistics (Timmins Campus)
This course will cover such topics as: classification of data using Excel, x-y graphs, bar graphs and pie charts, organization of data into frequency distributions, calculation of the mean, weighted mean, the median and the mode, variance and standard deviation, calculation of the probabilities for frequency distribution (binomial and normal), estimation of population means, standard deviation and proportions within a given confidence interval, control charts for statistical process control.
MI2002 Effective Supervision I
This course briefly reviews the history of the managerial concept and discusses organizations and modern managerial functions. Students are introduced to the roles and duties of supervisors in modern organizations and some of the legal requirements and liabilities associated with supervisory activities.
MI3053 Mining Economics (half-semester course)
This course reviews basic financial mathematics and introduces the concepts of discounted cash flows, rate-of-return, sensitivity and risk analyses. Evaluation of equipment replacement alternatives, including “buy versus lease” and the effects of taxation and capital expenditure depreciation on mine project cash flows are also discussed. This is a half-semester course.
MI3083 Environmental Principles (half-semester course)
This is a half-semester course. This course briefly reviews potential environmental impacts of mining. Students are also introduced to environmental regulatory requirements, best practices, monitoring and reporting.
MI4083 Mineralogy and Geology V
This course extends the study of fundamental Mineralogy into the systematic study of the principal rock-forming mineral families (especially silicates and secondary silicates), including properties and uses, as well as introducing petrology. Students will learn to identify major rock types. Also, students will be introduced to geochemical exploration and hydrology.
MI6044 Mine Ventilation (half-semester course)
This course briefly reviews fundamental design principles of underground mine ventilation such as air flow and resistance estimation, fan selection and mine air quality. Students are also introduced to mine ventilation monitoring, control techniques and legislated requirements. This is a half-semester course.
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