This module is based on a broad and deep inquiry into the business skills relevant to the commonly cited mining issues of the day, including managing the regulatory requirements, health and safety standards, environmental pollution challenges, public relations questions and technological development planning. The course also covers the additional issues pertinent to the developing country mining contexts such as nationalisation threats, disentangling the political instability problems, personnel safety and government relations management. The traditional geoscience management topics related to multi-national mining financing, exploration, processing and sales will be under clear scrutiny.
The principal objectives of the course are the following:
Gain awareness of the economic, political, financial and management challenges associated with the practice of mining business in both developing and developed country contexts
Acquire the requisite skills and perspectives related to problem-solving in the rapidly changing, high-pressure, fast-paced mining context, where market worldwide price fluctuations as well as demand and supply shocks can create unexpected and spontaneous difficulties and threats
Attain strong modelling and statistical skills to produce financing, pricing and forecasting-related models and reports
Gain a clear understanding of competitive pressures dominating the resource sector companies in order to follow industry-leading best practices with a view toward differentiation product and service quality in a way superior to the competitors
This course provides practical know-how related to compliance requirements and standards as well as negotiations skills with respect to public policy in order to gain favourable business results for uphold firm strategy and position. This involves having a strong understanding of the issues arising at the intersection of economic and policy with a view toward integrating the two to have a optimal framework of resource sector operation. Economics informs the topical orientation through its emphasis on importance of paying attention to sunk costs, economies-of-scale issues, opportunity costs, cost-benefit analysis of exploration and extraction in varying underlying conditions, etc. The public policy side of the equation informs the analysis through its emphasis on socioeconomic consequences of mining as well as the management of various stakeholders influencing the position and context of the mining industry
The principal objectives of the course are the following:
• Gain a clear view of the policy challenges impacting upon the mining sector, and utilise tried and tested economic tools and methods to respond to resource policy needs and requirements
• Forecast and project trends in the mining sector globally both from the policy standpoint and from the economic/business vantage point to arrive at a full picture of the evolution of the available profit opportunities in multiple locations
• Understand the patterns of international trade and finance regarding mining products and services, and produce reliable and profit-maximising investment portfolios that take account of inherent risks involved in the industry
• Attain the requisite management standards and qualities in order to be a competent stakeholder that meets the established goals of the company and foresees the any future changes and developments in the industry
