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Allowing students to understand the world mining industry

Author: Philip Crowson
Institution: University of Manchester
Type of case study: Training

Teaching

Phillip Crowson teaches an intensive postgraduate module on Mineral Resources Policy and Economics at the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy at The University of Dundee. The course is aimed at giving students an understanding of the economic forces that drive the mining industry and the major economic policies within it.

The data used for this class include the International Monetary Fund’s International Financial Statistics, the World Bank’s World Development Indicators and databanks produced by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the International Energy Agency. These data are used with other series from organisations in the industry such as the World Steel Association, the International Copper Group and the US Geological Survey along with metal prices from the London Metal Exchange and the Economist. They are taken together to illustrate aspects of mineral use, production, and prices.

Students do not tend to work hands-on with the data in this module, rather Professor Crowson uses the data to produce teaching materials for the class to use, such as charts for slides and hand-outs. The data are also used in a distance learning manual and in illustrative slides for class teaching and training courses. It is hoped this will allow students to develop an appreciation for the macro and micro economic factors that affect the mining industry. Whilst some students (who mainly have a legal background) may initially be unused to graphical presentations they generally adapt well. There is no other easy way of getting across fairly complex concepts in the limited time available.

Professor Crowson has been using international data in his teaching for over a decade, most recently in November 2011 as he finds it the most convenient source of relevant international time series data. He recommends that other teachers interested in using these data ensure that they keep their materials up to date to ensure students do not feel they are using outdated information.

Course details (under Mineral Resources Policy and Economics)