Masters degrees in Mining & Quarrying help postgraduates gain skills to extract and process minerals, metals and stone.
Related subjects include Mining Engineering and Sustainable Geoscience. Entry requirements normally include an appropriate undergraduate degree such as Civil Engineering, Geology or Earth Sciences.
This full time 12 month intensive programme is designed to provide advanced specialised training for earth science graduates, leading to excellent employment opportunities in the extractive industry. It is suitable for those who already have an honours degree in geology, mining/minerals engineering or a related subject.
You will attain a comprehensive understanding of the role of a geoscientist working in the mining industry. New skills include underground geological and geotechnical mapping, surveying, mineral exploration, ore microscopy, ore deposit modelling and mine planning. In-depth coverage of mineral resource estimation and grade control, mineral extraction and management, mining law and the environmental impact of mining, enable skills in quantifying the economic value of an ore body and assessing its potential for exploitation to be attained. There is emphasis on acquiring knowledge of the geological characteristics and genesis, methods of exploration, extraction and processing techniques of the major types of metalliferous ore deposit, bulk commodities and industrial minerals.
Taught modules are presented over two semesters and individual projects are undertaken throughout the summer vacation, often as industrial placements with a mining/exploration company. Recent projects have been carried out in all major mining countries on six continents, including Australia, Tanzania, Mongolia, Chile as well as in the UK.
You will study 180 credits to obtain an MSc and 120 credits for a PgDip
The compulsory modules can include;
Some examples of the optional modules are;
The modules listed here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand
Formal teaching ends in late April/May with a field excursion to examine the geology and visit mines in an area of the world famous for its mining activity. Extensive use is made of Camborne School of Mines' underground mine facilities, laboratories, mineral processing pilot plant, and the superb field geology and extractive industry operations in South West England.
Mining is an fascinating, global industry that is essential to societal progression. It provides the materials for production and is a leading industry in terms of technological innovation. This MSc is ideal for engineering and geologists already in employment that are looking for skills and knowledge enhancement. In addition, it is also suitable for geology and engineering graduates that wish to specialise in the following areas: mine, general management and excavation (geotechnics and tunnelling).
Students will learn specialist analytical, design and management skills that are relevant to industry. In addition, this programme also has excellent links with both the local and international minerals industry, which is reflected in its mix of UK and international students, and project-work is often centered around a company or business.
This programme is taught by the internationally established and world-class Camborne School of Mines (CSM), a combined mining school and geoscience department. This degree is professionally accredited under licence from the Engineering Council, as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree. Visit the Accreditation tab for further information.
You can either study the course full time over a year or part-time over 3 years.
The compulsory modules can include;
Some examples of the optional modules are;
The modules listed here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. For up to date information please see the website.
The taught part of the programme is structured into two terms. Field visits and practical field-based assignments are used, where appropriate, to emphasise key areas within each module.
For the award of the Masters (MSc), you must pass four modules and complete a project and dissertation. To obtain a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip), you must pass two modules and a project with dissertation.
Students are encouraged to undertake projects directly linked with industry, which may result in industrial placements for their project period.
The internationally recognised Camborne School of Mines is offering a brand new Mining Professional Programme, comprising a suite of courses for international mining staff giving an insight into every part of the mining business.
You will start by getting a flexible, industry-relevant immersion into the mining value chain and this can be followed by more detailed study of Mining Engineering: an integrated postgraduate programme delivered by mining experts and aligned with industry needs.
This is the future of mining education; industry aligned courses, learning while you work, forming interdisciplinary industry wide professional networks and exposure to diverse international mining practices.
Open to experienced mining industry staff; even without degrees but with appropriate experience, the course opens up the entire mining value chain, from finance, mineral deposit geology and exploration through mining and mineral processing methods to environmental & social impacts and mine closure.
The overall aim is to equip students with the business knowledge of the entire mining pipeline and the technical knowledge to support career progression in the area of mining operations. Students will gain interdisciplinary mine-site problem solving, and critical industry insight.
The programme is suitable for mining, engineering and geology graduates currently employed in the minerals industry, and other commercial and technical mining staff with suitable experience. The course cohort will ideally comprise those with widely differing roles across the mining industry. The blended learning approach allows these industry staff to undertake accredited educational studies while maintaining their industry work roles.
In addition to gaining the headline qualification, the programme will also deliver the following unique benefits:
• The course is particularly designed for those currently working in industry
• Establishing networks with industry professionals and across specialisms
• Opportunity to view world class mines during the mine study tour
• A value chain view of the mining industry
• Industry focused using real world case studies and examples
• Involves both technical and professional skills development
Diverse course delivery methods and assessment types are utilized to develop well-rounded Mining Professionals with broad industry knowledge.
This programme provides a robust understanding of the complete mining life cycle, from exploration and development to extraction and processing methods to waste management and mine closure. It is an excellent programme for new entrants into the mining business as a fast-track career induction.
The following are examples of the modules you might expect to study;
• Module 1 - Discovery: Introduction to the Mining Value Chain; Introduction to Geology, Rock Properties and Ore Forming Processes; Mineral Exploration; The Mining Business and Mineral Economics.
• Module 2 - Design: Deposit Evaluation and Resource Estimation; Introduction to Mining Methods and Mine Method Selection; Mine Planning and Mine Construction and Pre-production Decision Making
• Module 3 - Recovery: Principles of Surface Mining Operations; Principles of Underground Mining Operations; Mineral Processing; Mine Waste Management and Mineral Products
• Module 4 - Impacts: Environmental and Social Impacts of Mining; Economic Impacts of Mining (downstream and side stream investment); Mine Closure and Remediation and Corporate and Social Responsibility and the License to Operate
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Please see the website for up to date information http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/mining-engineering/pgcert-mining-professional/#Programme-structure
The internationally recognised Camborne School of Mines offers a Mining Professional Programme, comprising of a suite of courses for international mining staff giving an insight into every part of the mining business.
You will start by getting a flexible, industry-relevant immersion into the mining value chain and this can be followed by more detailed study of Mining Engineering: an integrated postgraduate programme delivered by mining experts and aligned with industry needs.
This is the future of mining education; industry aligned courses, learning while you work, forming interdisciplinary industry wide professional networks and exposure to diverse international mining practices.
Open to experienced mining industry staff; even without degrees but with appropriate experience, the course opens up the entire mining value chain, from finance, mineral deposit geology and exploration through mining and mineral processing methods to environmental & social impacts and mine closure.
The overall aim is to equip students with the business knowledge of the entire mining pipeline and the technical knowledge to support career progression in the area of mining operations. Students will gain interdisciplinary mine-site problem solving, and critical industry insight.
The programme is suitable for mining, engineering and geology graduates currently employed in the minerals industry, and other commercial and technical mining staff with suitable experience. The course cohort will ideally comprise those with widely differing roles across the mining industry. The blended learning approach allows these industry staff to undertake accredited educational studies while maintaining their industry work roles.
In addition to gaining the headline qualification, the programme will also deliver the following unique benefits:
• The course is particularly designed for those currently working in industry
• Establishing networks with industry professionals and across specialisms
• Opportunity to view world class mines during the mine study tour
• A value chain view of the mining industry
• Industry focused using real world case studies and examples
• Involves both technical and professional skills development
Diverse course delivery methods and assessment types are utilized to develop well-rounded Mining Professionals with broad industry knowledge.
Application period/deadline: March 14 - 28, 2018
• High level education covering the whole mine value chain
• Shared courses in geosciences and engineering, including both theory and practice
• Excellent, cutting-edge infrastructure for research and education in close cooperation with the mining industry
The international master´s degree programme in Mineral Resources and Sustainable Mining (MRSM) is a two-year programme focusing on education in mining-related subjects. The programme provides master’s degrees in two fields: geosciences and engineering.
The specialisation lines in the field of geosciences are Economic Geology and Quaternary Geology and in the field of engineering sciences, they are Mining Engineering, Mineral Processing, and Applied Geophysics.
The programme will give you excellent skills and understanding on the whole mine value chain and principles of sustainable mining, including:
• Theoretical studies in geosciences and engineering
• Economical and environmental aspects of mining
• Hands-on practice in the well-equipped Oulu Mining School Research Centre and in the field
• The latest modelling and simulation education related to the topics
• Instrumental skills in mineral analytics
The two-year programme has five specialisation options:
Economic Geology focuses on characterisation of mineral deposits and geological processes behind their genesis, forming a basis for mineral exploration. Central topics include ore geology, regional geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, mining industry, and exploration. The obtained proficiency can be used in mineral exploration or exploitation of natural resources in private companies or research institutes.
Quaternary Geology covers a wide range of sub-disciplines including glacial geology, sedimentology, ore prospecting techniques, and hydrogeology. Education is also covering global change issues in the northern hemisphere and the Arctic. The programme will give in depth understanding of the properties of glacial sediments and deposits, their genesis and use for ore prospecting and for geotechnical purposes.
Mining Engineering covers a wide range of topics, including geotechnique, mining technologies, analysis of production capacity, and financing. The expertise can be used in design and management of metal mines as well as in other operations related to exploitation of raw materials.
Mineral Processing deals with the processes to economically separate valuable minerals from the ores. Oulu Mining School has unique, continuous mode in-house concentrating plant that provides an excellent infrastructure for training and education purposes. The environmental aspects of processing, health and safety in the plants, and collaboration with the mining industry are essential parts of education.
Applied geophysics concentrates on the basic phenomena in geophysics and how to apply the knowledge for example in exploration, mapping and management of natural resources, and in environmental and engineering studies. In the life cycle of a mine, geophysics plays an important role in all stages: before opening the mine in mineral exploration and resource assessment, during active mining operations in exploration for additional resources and environmental monitoring, and after the closure of the mine in environmental monitoring and mapping of potentially contaminated areas.
Graduating students understand and govern the technical, geological, financial, regulatory, environmental and social aspects of sustainable mining. Job opportunities exist in all fields related to the mining value chain including exploration, mining, mineral processing, and other kinds of rock engineering both in the industry and in research.
