MSc in Mining and Geological Engineering

The extractive industry ensures the sustainable exploitation of raw materials, essential for the energy transition and the transformation of our society to a greener economy.

The Master in Mining and Geological Engineering provides solid training in mining and exploration techniques in the current framework of the digital transformation of the mining industry, based on the best practices of environmental sustainability, safety, smart mining, automation, and robotics. The role of a Mining and Geological Engineer involves exploration, development, and mining management, but also support for construction works, namely tunnels and other excavations in rock masses.

Undergraduate students looking for an opportunity in the exciting Mining and Geological Engineering field, fostering a key role in the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

The Master in Mining and Geological Engineering is aimed at graduates in Engineering, namely with curricular paths that include Geology, Mining, Civil, Environment, and others holding an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum that certifies their ability for this MSc program.

The 2nd Cycle in Mining and Geological Engineering lasts for 4 semesters (2 years), corresponding to 120 ECTS, and consists of the following curricular components:

Main Area | 63 ECTS

The Master in Mining and Geological Engineering (Major) deepens the knowledge acquired during the BSc, introducing themes in areas such as Mining Geology, Innovation and Strategy in Mineral and Energy Resources, Geo-Spatial Data Science, Design Excavation and Support, Geostatistics, Mineral, and Solid Waste Processing Plant Design, Mine Planning, Natural and Technological Risks, Mining and Energy Resources Engineering Seminars, Rock Blasting and Ventilation, and Elective Options - Quarry Exploitation and Project Evaluation / Computational Geomechanics.

Free Options | 27 ECTS

Part of the curriculum is completely free, meaning that courses may be chosen not only from the areas of Mining and Geological Engineering (e.g., Remote Sensing, Monitoring and Instrumentation of Excavations, Groundwater Pollution and Protection, Geophysical Digital Signal Processing, Geographical Information Systems Project, Tunnels Engineering, Mine Wastes Management, and Deposition Technologies) but also from any scientific area of Técnico.

This component includes the possibility of completing a Minor, a set of disciplines with a multidisciplinary scope corresponding to 18 ECTS. The offer is transversal to all Técnico courses.

Extracurricular activities, up to a maximum of 6 ECTS, may also be credited.

In the 2nd year of the Master Degree in Mining and Geological Engineering, the student can opt for the course Curricular Internship", replacing two Free Option courses (12 ECTS). The course Curricular Internship" is attended in companies operating in the field of extractive industry or related, having a supervisor from Técnico and a supervisor from the company.

Dissertation | 30 ECTS

The dissertation is the final work of the study cycle, allowing the student to study and specialize in a specific subject. It can be done in one of the following formats:

• Scientific Thesis
• Company Internship
• Capstone multidisciplinary project

The new discoveries of mineral resources will be at deeper depths, difficult to access, and in more complex geological environments, demanding sustainable mining projects and better risk assessment.

The Master in Mining and Geological Engineering (MEGM) aims at training future professionals with the appropriate skills to be able to respond to some of the biggest challenges faced by the mining industry in the short and medium-term. The technology level will imply the implementation of intelligent systems that are based on real-time monitoring and management of the main mining operations, being able to make use of AI tools and IoT technologies.

Therefore, the Master in Mining and Geological Engineering is structured to meet the current turning point of the mining industry, in which digital technologies have a huge potential to generate new ways of managing uncertainty and increasing the productivity rates considering sustainability, which can be summarized in 3 major groups of technologies, namely:

Data, computational power, and connectivity, which includes real-time monitoring and management of mining operations and intelligent data management networks;

Analytics and intelligence, which includes the integration of artificial intelligence and Machine Learning techniques in mining operations, from exploration to production and mineral processing, using automation and robotics technologies.

Experimental work plays an important role in the Master in Mining and Geological Engineering, being performed mainly at Geolab and ITlab laboratories.

Técnico MSc graduates in Geological and Mining Engineering will be prepared to develop activities such as:

• Discovery of ore deposits or mineral masses;
• Assessment, prospecting, exploration, processing, and management of mineral resources and solid waste;
• Assessment, exploration, and management of groundwater and energy resources;
• Real-time monitoring and management of mining operations;
• Assessment of environmental impacts and recovery of mines and quarries;
• Use of explosive substances in excavations and demolitions;
• Geological support for land use planning activities;
• Support to the conception, design, and execution of large engineering works (tunnels, airports, roads, bridges, large buildings, etc.);
• Consulting and leadership, leadership and management functions;
• Professional training and education.

Below is a shortlist of where our graduates found jobs:

• Lunding Mining
• Almina
• Boliden AB- Sojitz Corporation Ltd.
• Filstone SA
• Secil Group