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Visions and future needs of mineral sector engineers

The safe, environmentally sustainable and cost-efficient supply of raw materials is essential for a prosperous global society. A modern world without minerals extracted from the earth would not be possible. The mining and mineral sector is a high-tech industry where research and development have 
a high priority. The need of professionals and future leaders with international experience is increasing as the demand of mineral based raw materials is growing. The rapid globalisation of the minerals industry and its expansion into developing countries has imposed an increasing need 
for qualified personnel. The current skills/experience profile in many companies is biased to older employees. There is a strong need of mining engineers and engineers in mineral processing and recycling industry in the future, too.

European Mining, Minerals and Environmental Program (EMMEP) is a two-year joint triple degree program offered by a consortium of Europe's leading universities in resource engineering: Aalto University, TU Delft and RWTH Aachen University. The program builds on the strengths and the complementary expertise in earth sciences of these three universities. It offers a combination of study and research, leading to an outstanding qualification in mining and mineral engineering.

Requirements and competences 

The requirements of future specialists and leaders in mining and mineral industry calls for robust knowledge and skills in many fields of engineering. Awareness of the environment is growing and engineers are required to take into account environmental impacts in planning and production stage of a mine project.  Also soft skills such as collaboration in multicultural teams, communication and leadership and are of great importance to build up a successful career. 

The courses in the EMMEP are designed to give students a broad education. The program offers a unique curriculum consisting of courses in mining technology, mineral processing, recycling, business and economics, management, with legal, health and safety matters.  

Together with lectures, excursions and visits are arranged in cooperation with industry partners. Assignments and case studies are based on real data and they are completed by team work.

Internationality, professional skills and career opportunities

The study plan comprises four semesters during two academic years, with joint curriculum. The students study one semester at each partner university as a group and do the Master´s thesis in one of them co-supervised by the two other partner universities. The studies are intensive and demanding. Aside from the academic knowledge, being a part of multicultural EMMEP group develops students’ intercultural communication skills and teamwork ability.

The graduates have great career opportunities. Most often they are employed by industry, government organisations and research institutions. They hold key positions ranging from research, teaching and consultancy, to management, design, project engineering and control. Graduates with experience on working in a multicultural group in a multicultural environment are attractive recruits for international companies and a great part of graduates will work abroad.

The program is supported by industry through Federation of European Mineral Programs (FEMP), which also maintains alumni network and supports the students.  Each year FEMP organizes annual reunion where students, alumni, industrial and academic representatives get together for a networking event. It also offers internships and job opportunities for EMMEP students.  

European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) granted European Mining Course a quality label in 2017.