lOMoARcPSD|63158501
AUG/ SEPT EXAM
UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING EXAMINATIONS/ MAJOR TEST 2025
MEX1501
Mineral Exploitation IA
Welcome to the MEX1501major test 2.
Date: 29 August 2025
Time: 08:00
Hours: 2hrs
Examiner name: Ms. L Yende
Internal moderator name: Mr. M Lugoma
External moderator name: Ms. D Ile
This paper consists of 3 pages.
Total marks: 50
Number of pages: 3
Instructions:
• Use a blue or black ink.
• You only have 2 hours to complete this major test.
• This assessment is IRIS invigilated.
• This is a closed book examination.
• You are allowed to use a scientific calculator. Round off your final answers to two decimal
places.
Additional student instructions
1. Students must upload their answer scripts in a single PDF file (answer scripts must not be
password protected or uploaded as “read only” files)
2. Incorrect file format and uncollated answer scripts will not be considered.
3. NO emailed scripts will be accepted.
4. Students are advised to preview submissions (answer scripts) to ensure legibility and that
the correct answer script file has been uploaded.
5. Incorrect answer scripts and/or submissions made on unofficial examinations platforms
(including the invigilator cell phone application) will not be marked and no opportunity will
be granted for resubmission. Only the last answer file uploaded within the stipulated
submission duration period will be marked.
6. Mark awarded for incomplete submission will be the student’s final mark. No opportunity for
resubmission will be granted.
7. Mark awarded for illegible scanned submission will be the student’s final mark. No
opportunity for resubmission will be granted.
8. Submissions will only be accepted from registered student accounts.
9. Students who have not utilised the proctoring tool (IRIS) will be deemed to have
transgressed Unisa’s examination rules and will have their marks withheld. For
examinations which use the IRIS invigilator system, IRIS must be recording throughout the
duration of the examination until the submission of the examinations scripts.
10. Students suspected of dishonest conduct during the examinations will be subjected to
disciplinary processes. Students may not communicate with any other person or request
1
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, lOMoARcPSD|63158501
AUG/ SEPT EXAM
assistance from any other person during their examinations. Plagiarism is a violation of
academic integrity and students who plagiarise, copy from published work or Artificial
Intelligence Software (e.g., ChatGPT) or online sources (e.g., course material), will be in
violation of the Policy on Academic Integrity and the Student Disciplinary Code and may be
referred to a disciplinary hearing. Unisa has a zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or any
other forms of academic dishonesty.
11. Listening to audio (music) and making use of audio-to-text software is strictly prohibited
during your examination session unless such usage of the software is related to a student’s
assistive device which has been so declared. Failure to do so will be a transgression of
Unisa’s examination rules and the student's marks will be withheld.
12. Students are provided 30 minutes to submit their answer scripts after the official
examination time. Students who experience technical challenges should report the
challenges to the SCSC on 080 000 1870 or their College exam support centres (refer to
the Get help during the examinations by contacting the Student Communication Service
Centre [unisa.ac.za]) within 30 minutes. Queries received after 30 minutes of the official
assessment duration time will not be responded to. Submissions made after the official
assessment time will be rejected according to the examination regulations and will not be
marked. Only communication received from your myLife email account will be considered.
13. Non-adherence to the processes for uploading assessment responses will not qualify the
student for any special concessions or future assessments.
14. Queries that are beyond Unisa’s control include the following:
a. Personal network or service provider issues
b. Load shedding/limited space on personal computer
c. Crashed computer
d. Non-functioning cameras or web cameras
e. Using work computers that block access to the myExams site (employer firewall
challenges)
f. Unlicensed software (e.g., license expires during exams)
Students experiencing the above challenges during the Major tests should write a retest.
Question 1 (Mineral Beneficiation) [28]
1.1 Define the meaning of mineral processing. (5)
1.2 State factors that influence the choice of storage facility . (7)
1.3 List two types of storages and discuss the advantages .
(16)
Question 2 (Metallurgy) [38]
2.1 Differentiate between hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy
(10)
2.2 Name three leaching agents.
(8)
2.3 Metal recovery is the final step in a hydrometallurgical process. Metals suitable for sale as raw
materials are often directly produced in the metal recovery step. Sometimes, however, further
refining is required if ultra-high purity metals are to be produced. Explain primary types of metal
recovery processes.
2
Downloaded by stephen musyoka ()
, lOMoARcPSD|63158501
AUG/ SEPT EXAM
(20)
TOTAL MARKS: 66
©
UNISA 2025
3
Downloaded by stephen musyoka ()
AUG/ SEPT EXAM
UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING EXAMINATIONS/ MAJOR TEST 2025
MEX1501
Mineral Exploitation IA
Welcome to the MEX1501major test 2.
Date: 29 August 2025
Time: 08:00
Hours: 2hrs
Examiner name: Ms. L Yende
Internal moderator name: Mr. M Lugoma
External moderator name: Ms. D Ile
This paper consists of 3 pages.
Total marks: 50
Number of pages: 3
Instructions:
• Use a blue or black ink.
• You only have 2 hours to complete this major test.
• This assessment is IRIS invigilated.
• This is a closed book examination.
• You are allowed to use a scientific calculator. Round off your final answers to two decimal
places.
Additional student instructions
1. Students must upload their answer scripts in a single PDF file (answer scripts must not be
password protected or uploaded as “read only” files)
2. Incorrect file format and uncollated answer scripts will not be considered.
3. NO emailed scripts will be accepted.
4. Students are advised to preview submissions (answer scripts) to ensure legibility and that
the correct answer script file has been uploaded.
5. Incorrect answer scripts and/or submissions made on unofficial examinations platforms
(including the invigilator cell phone application) will not be marked and no opportunity will
be granted for resubmission. Only the last answer file uploaded within the stipulated
submission duration period will be marked.
6. Mark awarded for incomplete submission will be the student’s final mark. No opportunity for
resubmission will be granted.
7. Mark awarded for illegible scanned submission will be the student’s final mark. No
opportunity for resubmission will be granted.
8. Submissions will only be accepted from registered student accounts.
9. Students who have not utilised the proctoring tool (IRIS) will be deemed to have
transgressed Unisa’s examination rules and will have their marks withheld. For
examinations which use the IRIS invigilator system, IRIS must be recording throughout the
duration of the examination until the submission of the examinations scripts.
10. Students suspected of dishonest conduct during the examinations will be subjected to
disciplinary processes. Students may not communicate with any other person or request
1
Downloaded by stephen musyoka ()
, lOMoARcPSD|63158501
AUG/ SEPT EXAM
assistance from any other person during their examinations. Plagiarism is a violation of
academic integrity and students who plagiarise, copy from published work or Artificial
Intelligence Software (e.g., ChatGPT) or online sources (e.g., course material), will be in
violation of the Policy on Academic Integrity and the Student Disciplinary Code and may be
referred to a disciplinary hearing. Unisa has a zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or any
other forms of academic dishonesty.
11. Listening to audio (music) and making use of audio-to-text software is strictly prohibited
during your examination session unless such usage of the software is related to a student’s
assistive device which has been so declared. Failure to do so will be a transgression of
Unisa’s examination rules and the student's marks will be withheld.
12. Students are provided 30 minutes to submit their answer scripts after the official
examination time. Students who experience technical challenges should report the
challenges to the SCSC on 080 000 1870 or their College exam support centres (refer to
the Get help during the examinations by contacting the Student Communication Service
Centre [unisa.ac.za]) within 30 minutes. Queries received after 30 minutes of the official
assessment duration time will not be responded to. Submissions made after the official
assessment time will be rejected according to the examination regulations and will not be
marked. Only communication received from your myLife email account will be considered.
13. Non-adherence to the processes for uploading assessment responses will not qualify the
student for any special concessions or future assessments.
14. Queries that are beyond Unisa’s control include the following:
a. Personal network or service provider issues
b. Load shedding/limited space on personal computer
c. Crashed computer
d. Non-functioning cameras or web cameras
e. Using work computers that block access to the myExams site (employer firewall
challenges)
f. Unlicensed software (e.g., license expires during exams)
Students experiencing the above challenges during the Major tests should write a retest.
Question 1 (Mineral Beneficiation) [28]
1.1 Define the meaning of mineral processing. (5)
1.2 State factors that influence the choice of storage facility . (7)
1.3 List two types of storages and discuss the advantages .
(16)
Question 2 (Metallurgy) [38]
2.1 Differentiate between hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy
(10)
2.2 Name three leaching agents.
(8)
2.3 Metal recovery is the final step in a hydrometallurgical process. Metals suitable for sale as raw
materials are often directly produced in the metal recovery step. Sometimes, however, further
refining is required if ultra-high purity metals are to be produced. Explain primary types of metal
recovery processes.
2
Downloaded by stephen musyoka ()
, lOMoARcPSD|63158501
AUG/ SEPT EXAM
(20)
TOTAL MARKS: 66
©
UNISA 2025
3
Downloaded by stephen musyoka ()
