Network Analysis Course for Mining Engineering | PERT & CPM | IIT Kharagpur
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 20 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Categories | Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering |
| Credit Points | 1 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 16 Feb 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 24 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master Project Planning in Mining with Network Analysis: A Comprehensive Course from IIT Kharagpur
The complex and capital-intensive nature of mining and mineral engineering projects demands precision in planning, scheduling, and execution. Delays or inefficiencies can have monumental cost and safety implications. This is where the power of Network Analysis becomes indispensable. We are excited to present a detailed, 4-week online course on "Network Analysis for Mines and Mineral Engineering", meticulously designed and taught by Prof. Kaushik Dey from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.
About the Instructor: Prof. Kaushik Dey
Gaining insights from an expert with both academic excellence and industry experience is crucial. Prof. Kaushik Dey brings exactly that to this course.
- Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Mining Engineering, IIT Kharagpur.
- Qualifications: Holds a B.E. (Mining), M.Tech (Opencast Mining), and a Ph.D. (Mining).
- Industry & Academic Experience: Worked in the tunneling and mining sector before esteemed teaching positions at National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, and the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad.
- Research Expertise: Specializes in rock excavation, blasting, mechanical cutting, surface mining, and whole-body vibration.
- Publications: Author of approximately thirty-five research papers in reputed journals, alongside numerous national and international conference presentations.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
This course is a deep dive into quantitative decision-making and optimization techniques specific to mining scenarios. It is structured to provide a substantial, practical understanding of Network Analysis, moving from foundational concepts to advanced applications.
Primary Focus: The course covers the core methodologies of Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) and the Critical Path Method (CPM).
- Deterministic Approach (CPM): Learn to model project timelines with fixed activity durations, identify the critical path, and perform time-cost trade-off analysis for optimization.
- Probabilistic Approach (PERT): Understand how to handle uncertainty in project scheduling by using probabilistic time estimates, crucial for the volatile nature of mining projects.
- Software & Programming: The syllabus includes coverage of software programming related to network analysis, equipping you with practical computational skills.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is perfectly tailored for:
- Students: Undergraduates (B.Tech) in Mining Engineering, Mineral Engineering, and Mining Machinery Engineering.
- Advanced Learners: All M.Tech students and Ph.D. scholars in related fields.
- Professionals: Engineers, project managers, and planners in the mining industry seeking to formalize or enhance their project scheduling skills. As noted, mining industries frequently send personnel to such courses—this online format offers unparalleled accessibility.
Detailed 4-Week Course Layout
| Week | Core Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to PERT and CPM. Building a basic understanding of network diagrams, nodes, and activities. |
| Week 2 | Detailed understanding of CPM. Focus on forward and backward pass calculations, identifying the critical path, and optimization techniques like crashing. |
| Week 3 | Detailed understanding of PERT. Learning to incorporate probabilistic time estimates (optimistic, most likely, pessimistic), calculating expected time and variance, and assessing project completion probabilities. |
| Week 4 | Critical analysis of complex networks, problem-solving tutorials on simulated mining scenarios, and an introduction to computer programming for network analysis. |
Recommended Textbooks & Resources
To complement the video lectures and assignments, the following authoritative texts are recommended:
- Operations Research: An Introduction by Hamdy A. Taha
- Principles of Mine Planning by Bhattacharya Jayanta
- Project Planning and Control with PERT & CPM by B.C. Punmia and K. K. Khandelwal
- A Management Guide to PERT/CPM by Weist and Levy
Why This Course is Essential for Mining Professionals
In an industry where projects involve intricate sequences of exploration, development, extraction, and processing, effective project management is non-negotiable. This course empowers you to:
- Translate a complex mining project into a logical network model.
- Accurately estimate project duration and identify activities that directly impact the finish date (Critical Path).
- Allocate resources efficiently and perform "what-if" analyses.
- Quantify and manage risks associated with activity time uncertainties.
- Make data-driven decisions to optimize costs and schedules, enhancing overall project viability and safety.
Level: Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Duration: 4 Weeks
Categories: Metallurgy and Material Science, Mining Engineering
Enroll today to bridge the gap between theoretical mining principles and advanced, practical project management execution. Equip yourself with the analytical tools that are the standard for planning and controlling major engineering projects worldwide.
Enroll Now →