Department of Mining Engineering

• Introduction
• Teaching
• Research
• Extension and outreach

Introduction

The Universidad de Chile has a 160-year tradition of educating mining engineers. The program was created under the leadership of Andrés Bello in 1853, during the presidency of Manuel Montt. Since then, the program's professionals have contributed to the development of the Chilean mining industry, leading important technological changes in mining and metallurgy resulting in worldwide recognition. Furthermore, in the field of business, they have contributed to the formation and development of companies such as ENAP and ENAMI as well as research institutes such as the CIMM.

In the outside engineering world the Mining Engineering program has gained recognition, thanks to exceptional academic performance of its graduate students in prestigious academic institutions and for its important contribution of publications and international conferences. Honoring this tradition and to meet the demands of professionals created by the recent expansion of the Chilean mining industry, the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics has made the mining specialization a priority area for development.

Thus, the Mining Engineering Department mission is to preserve its position as a center of excellence at a national and international level in a variety of areas associated with mining and the metallurgical industry.

Teaching

In the teaching field, the department's academics assume responsibility for the Mining Engineering program, in addition to a master program in mining, a master program in extractive metallurgy and a doctorate program. The program professors actively develop and transfer knowledge to productive sectors through courses and degree programs.

The undergraduate program department oversees:

• Bachelor level course studies
• Engineering
• Minor in Extractive Metallurgy
• Minor in Mining

At the graduate level:

• PhD in Mining Engineering: mining is the most important economic activity of our nation and Chile stands as a leader in the international mining industry. The Universidad de Chile is the first institution to offer a doctorate program in this area in par with the high level of training that professionals require.

• Master of Mining: maintains a professional emphasis on basic and advanced courses in subjects related to mining, both in scientific and technological aspects, as well as in areas relative to economics and management.

• Master of Extractive Metallurgy: the program sets out to complement and deepen the understanding in areas of Mineral Processing, Pyrometallurgy, Hydrometallurgy, and Electrometallurgy, training highly skilled graduates to direct research projects, evaluate companies and organizations related to the mining industry and teach in the field of Extractive Metallurgy and Mineral Processing.

Postgraduate degrees offered:

• Diploma in Mineral Economics
• Diploma in Geostatistical Ore Resource Evaluation
• Diploma in Block Caving Engineering
• Diploma in Geo-Mining-Metallurgy
• Diploma in Mine Planning

Research

Through applied research the department develops new knowledge that is then shared with the productive sectors of the country. The research areas in which we work:

• Evaluation of Ore Deposits
• Mining Technology
• Management and Mining Economy
• Mineral Processing
• Pyrometallurgy
• Hydro-Electrometallurgy and Environment

The department has funding grants (FONDEF and FONDECYT), along with other funds to carry out research and publication of subsequent results in journals, international and national conferences, books, and ISI publications.

Extension and outreach

Goal: Strengthening community ties through consulting, conferences, seminars, among others, are all an essential part of our duties. The following are some of theseareas:

Evaluation of Ore Deposits and Sampling:

• Geostatistical Evaluation of Resources and Sampling
• Ore reserves Audits
• Mine / Plant Reconciliation Studies
• Sampling Consulting (sampling protocols , heterogeneity tests)

Mineral Processing:

• Process Analysis and Optimization
• Project Audits
• Conceptual Process Design
• Minerallurgy and Metallurgic Process Modeling
• Pyrometallurgical Processes
• Hydrometallurgical Processes
• Electrometallurgical Processes
• Environmental Management

Mining Economics and Management:

• Social and Economic Impact of Mining Activity
• Mineral Markets Analysis
• Business Evaluation and Mining Projects
• Options and Risk Analysis
• Competitive Strategy and Economics of the Mining Industry

In addition, the department of Mining Engineering offers laboratory service for:

• Mineral Processing
• Rock Mechanics
• Microscopy
• Electrometallurgy