Mine Your Own Business : Improving English Language Skills for Mining Engineering Education at Lapland UAS
Huhtaniska, Jyrki; Merivirta, Minttu (2015)
Huhtaniska, Jyrki
Merivirta, Minttu
Lapin AMK
2015
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-316-113-9
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-316-113-9
Tiivistelmä
Mineral-based materials, products and structures are used either directly or indirectly in almost every area of our life. Prosperity, security and the opportunity for self-fulfillment, which are closely related to higher living standards and wellbeing, are likewise based on the utilization of minerals in many ways. (Finland’s Minerals Strategy 2010, 3.)
Modern society requires the use of mineral-based products in the construction and maintenance of housing and other buildings, earthen structures, railroads, road networks, power lines, pipelines and other infrastructure. Industrial production and manufacture of machinery, equipment, vehicles and ICT technology are largely based on the utilization of mineral-based materials. Mineral fertilizers and agricultural machinery are also vital to food production. (Finland’s Minerals Strategy 2010, 3.)
The Ministry of Employment and the Economy in Finland has pointed out some key challenges that the minerals sector is facing these days. For example, one challenge is greater volatility in the demand for minerals, which means that recycling is not enough, we have to mine minerals. Also, deposits are of a lower grade or are located at a greater depth. This is true especially in Finland. We have ore bodies that can only be utilized with new technologies and solutions. Another problem is legislation and public opinion, which can jeopardize mining projects. It is possible that extractive operations are limited by competing forms of land use and access. The public opinion can affect permitting procedures. The procedures can become more complex, and processes become longer when demands are growing. One key challenge is that it will be increasingly difficult to recruit expert consultants and skilled labor. This means high demands for universities in the field. New exploration and beneficiation technologies must be developed when the industry is dealing with high demands from the public, environment, health and safety. The industry must be prepared to decrease water and energy consumption and at the same time emissions and waste need to be minimized. (Finland’s Minerals Strategy 2010, 13.)
All the above facts and challenges demand professional education in general and professional English language skills in particular.
Modern society requires the use of mineral-based products in the construction and maintenance of housing and other buildings, earthen structures, railroads, road networks, power lines, pipelines and other infrastructure. Industrial production and manufacture of machinery, equipment, vehicles and ICT technology are largely based on the utilization of mineral-based materials. Mineral fertilizers and agricultural machinery are also vital to food production. (Finland’s Minerals Strategy 2010, 3.)
The Ministry of Employment and the Economy in Finland has pointed out some key challenges that the minerals sector is facing these days. For example, one challenge is greater volatility in the demand for minerals, which means that recycling is not enough, we have to mine minerals. Also, deposits are of a lower grade or are located at a greater depth. This is true especially in Finland. We have ore bodies that can only be utilized with new technologies and solutions. Another problem is legislation and public opinion, which can jeopardize mining projects. It is possible that extractive operations are limited by competing forms of land use and access. The public opinion can affect permitting procedures. The procedures can become more complex, and processes become longer when demands are growing. One key challenge is that it will be increasingly difficult to recruit expert consultants and skilled labor. This means high demands for universities in the field. New exploration and beneficiation technologies must be developed when the industry is dealing with high demands from the public, environment, health and safety. The industry must be prepared to decrease water and energy consumption and at the same time emissions and waste need to be minimized. (Finland’s Minerals Strategy 2010, 13.)
All the above facts and challenges demand professional education in general and professional English language skills in particular.