Overview
Overview
Metallurgy is the science of the physical and chemical behaviours of metals and their purification.
Extractive metallurgists apply their expertise in chemistry, environmental science and mineralogy to find the best way to extract minerals and metals for natural ores and operate extraction plants at maximum capacity. Metallurgists also work on designing new extraction and processing methods for minerals and metals, often in liaison with other mining professionals.
All Curtin metallurgy courses are embedded with the principles of responsible mining, environmental stewardship, and occupational health and safety.
This course produces graduate who are capable of designing, operating and managing metallurgical process systems.
You will undertake advanced training in the core disciplines of mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, process control, process mineralogy, modelling, simulation and optimisation of mineral processing plants, as well as optional specialist units required to further your career in the minerals industry.
As you learn to design and supervise the processes that separate metals from their ores, you will consider how they affect the environment, the conservation of energy and the proper disposal of the waste tailings.
This course includes field and laboratory work, specialised project work and report writing.
Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.
What jobs can the Metallurgy course lead to?
Careers for extractive metallurgy specialists include in-house specialists in mining and chemical companies, consultants, academics and researchers.
What you'll learn
- apply extractive metallurgy knowledge, principles and concepts to the practice of the metallurgy profession including research at graduate level
- demonstrate graduate level critical and creative thinking ability in the practice of the metallurgy profession
- locate, evaluate and synthesise information and contextualise it to the practice of extractive metallurgy
- use effective verbal and written communication at a professional practice level including appropriate sharing of professional information to a varied audience
- evaluate and adopt appropriate metallurgical technologies for the benefit of the stakeholders
- recognise that life-long and professional development activities are necessary to maintain currency in the application of metallurgical know-how and technologies
- recognise and understand the need to apply and evaluate international best practice standards in the metallurgical workplace
- recognise the impact and importance of cultural diversity in the implementation of metallurgical projects with a respect for cultural perspectives and practices
- work in a professional and collaborative manner to meet ethical and legal responsibilities including those in relation to sustainable and environmentally responsible practices; adopt a leadership role as required
