MINERAL PROSPECTING AND MAP READING LEVEL I

The Mineral Prospecting and Map Reading Level I Course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of mineral prospecting and map reading in the context of the mining sector. This course is suitable for individuals interested in pursuing a career in mineral exploration, mining operations, or related fields. Through a combination of theoretical instruction, practical exercises, and case studies, participants will explore key concepts, techniques, and regulations related to mineral prospecting and map reading. They will develop essential skills to effectively navigate the mining sector and gain a solid foundation for further specialization in this field.

Unit Description

Unit 1: Follow Regulation
This unit examines some legal policies that govern the mining sector’s parameters, particularly
on Occupational Health and Safety and Mining and Environment Regulations.

Unit 2: Apply for Exploration Rights
This unit aims to detail the application process for the legal acquisition of mineral properties.
The Mining Act of 1989 identifies three scales of operations: Small-scale: land and river claims,
Medium-scale: prospecting and mining permits and Large-scale: prospecting and Mining
Licenses.

Unit 3: Working with others
This unit aims to build and enhance teamwork. Effective teamwork requires training and
understanding what goes into encouraging healthy team performance. Collaboration is a vital
part of your personal and professional life; therefore, learning about team development and
organisational culture could be a great start to a rewarding future. Teamwork skills can be
natural, but they're also something you can hone.

Unit 4: Basic Measurements and Calculations
This unit aims to provide a foundation for measurements and calculations using basic
mathematical rules. Additionally, this section will cover how basic measuring instruments are
used and unit conversions with particular emphasis on the metric system and conversion between
various units within the metric system.

Unit 5: Read and Interpret Maps
Maps are an essential part of the exploration process, and this unit will focus on the knowledge
and skills required to read and interpret maps effectively. Participants will learn to identify
symbols and features on maps, compute map scales and prepare sketch maps. In addition,
participants will also learn how to locate and plot points using the Universal Transverse Mercator
(UTM) and Latitude and Longitude coordinate reference systems.

Unit 6: Use Navigation Instruments
Navigation instruments are essential to any exploration process, and this section aims to improve
navigation skills. Participants will learn to use navigation instruments such as the compass, map
and protractor. Additionally, participants will be exposed to fundamental concepts of the Global
Positioning System (GPS), including its function, components, sources of error and care of the
GPS Receiver.

Unit 7: Carry out Mineral Prospecting
This unit provides participants with a basic introduction to mineral recovery, which focuses on
basic techniques for recovering samples following established procedures. Participants will also
learn about gold and its properties, particularly in stream sampling and using these properties to
provide information on an existing ore deposit. Participants will also learn how to prepare basic
reports to highlight their findings.

General Purpose

The course aims to enable participants to:

1. Apply for the appropriate exploration rights suitable to the mine size you wish to pursue.
2. Understand the mining regulations and existing policies governing the mining sector of
   Guyana.
3. Effectively function as part of a team or group.
4. Perform various measurements and calculations.
5. Effectively use maps for locating mineral properties and planning exploration activities.
6. Conduct exploration and mining activities using navigation instruments.

The conditions required to be able to sit the final exam are:

1. Attendance must be 75%.
2. All assignments MUST be submitted.
3. Assignments will NOT be marked if submitted more than seven (7) days after the
   deadline.

Assessments

Assessment 1 (10%): Based on the content covered in Unit 1: Follow Regulations.

Assessment 2 (10%): Based on the content covered in Unit 2: Apply for Exploration and
Mining Rights.

Assessment 3 (10%): Based on the content covered in Unit 4: Perform Basic
Measurements and Calculations

Assessment 4 (20%): Based on the content covered in Unit 5: Read and Interpret Maps
Practical Demonstration (30%): Based on the content covered in Unit 6: Use of

Navigation Instruments
Final Project (20%): The final project will be based on applying concepts covered in Unit

Perform Basic Measurements and calculations, Unit 5: Read and Interpret Maps, and
Unit 6: Use of Navigation Instruments. For this project, students must prepare a sketch
map of the nearby area drawn to scale, highlighting several prominent features, including
buildings, roads, rivers, etc.

Mode of Delivery:

The course will be conducted over a period of 12 weeks. Delivery will be done in a blended
format of face-to-face and online zoom sessions.