School of Mining Engineering

The School of Mining Engineering, within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa is recognised as one of the top mining engineering schools and departments throughout the world.

Mining engineers play a key role in the planning, exploitation and excavation of mineral resources. Mining also requires the skills and technology of several other branches of engineering, which is why most of the curriculum for years one and two is common to all branches of engineering. The third and fourth years focus on mining engineering and include technical valuation, ventilation and environmental engineering, mine transport and rock mechanics.

The School’s programme is designed to provide the graduate with the engineering expertise that he or she will require as a mining engineer. As a result, the School has, in conjunction with the South African mining industry, developed a programme of postgraduate courses designed to cater for the needs of graduates. These include technical subjects for specialist skills in mining, mineral resource management and evaluation, and rock engineering, as well as management skills in evaluation techniques and fundamental mineral economic principles.

The School publishes an annual report regarding the developments within the School. Please download the School's 2011 Annual Information Report here. The next annual report will be published in June, 2013. Click here to download the School's latest presentation regarding the state of Mining Engineering education in South Africa at the Wits Mining Club event.

Dick Stacey is honoured as an Emeritus Professor. Please visit The University’s newsroom to read more. The same article is also published on Mining Mirror in October, 2011. Paskalia Neingo, the daughter of a mine worker and top mining engineering student of the class of 2010 has joined the School as an associate lecturer. Please visit The University’s newsroom to read more. The same article is also published on Mining Mirror in November, 2011.

Please follow the link to access the Centre for Sustainability in Mining and Industry (CSMI) website. The Centre for Mechanised Mining Systems (MineMech) is a joint initiative of the University of the Witwatersrand, the country's mining companies and mining equipment suppliers.

Scholarship Opportunity for Graduate Studies

COSMO Consortium(COSMO industry members AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick Gold, BHP Billiton, De Beers, Newmont Mining and Vale) in association with the School of Mining Engineering, have provided a Scholarship for deserving graduate students in the process of developing the next generation of mining industry professionals. The COSMO Consortium Scholarship is intended for graduates wishing to pursue a Master`s degree in the area of geostatistics and mine planning optimisation under uncertainty. The outstanding graduate student is expected to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering or Computer Science with Honours. Please download the brochure for more information.

Mail comments to: bekir.genc@wits.ac.za

Last updated -- 06 July 2012