The programme, delivered by experts from the world-famous Camborne School of Mines, is being reintroduced after a five-year hiatus at the University’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
The first cohort of undergraduate Mining Engineering students are due to be welcomed to the University in the 2025/26 academic year.
The degree programme will be part of the University’s Engineering 2030 Strategy that will see an increased portfolio of engineering programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Students on all existing and new programmes, will study a common first year and will be able to convert to the dedicated Mining Engineering programme in their second year of study.
The University is also seeking to create scholarships to support students to continue onto the conversion programme.
Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, announced the decision at a recent Camborne School of Mines Association gala dinner in Perth, Australia.
Professor Roberts said: “Our Camborne School of Mines is known worldwide for its crucial role in providing skills provision, research and innovation in mining and critical minerals resourcing.
“One of the key missions of our Strategy 2030 goal is to lead meaningful action against the climate emergency and ecological crisis. Mining is integral to modern society, and as we look to transition to Net Zero, the demand for critical minerals is only going to increase.
“We know that one of the largest concerns in recent years of the mining industry is the recruitment of new graduates, and I am delighted to be able to announce the relaunch of our undergraduate Mining Engineering degree at the Camborne School of Mines, to support the future health of the mining industry.”
Professor Pat Foster, Head of Camborne School of Mines, said: “We are thrilled that the undergraduate Mining Engineering programme is being reintroduced by the University. The Camborne School of Mines is one of the world’s leading mining institutions and has a rich tradition of ensuring thousands of students have the very best qualifications to forge successful careers across the globe.
“The work that we do have never been more crucial, as we transition towards net zero and the demand for critical minerals increases. It is vital that we are at the forefront of supporting future generations of mining engineers, to help build a greener future for us all.”
Last year, CSM launched two innovative Mining Engineering programmes – the Mine Management Degree Apprenticeship programme and a part time degree to provide current mining employees from diverse business specialisms, regulators and service providers with a wide-ranging, innovative, flexible and industry-relevant exposure to every aspect of the global mining value chain.
Those programmes help upskill those already holding roles within the mining industry, who want to develop their career, and cover a broad range of topics including the underlying maths, digital, geology and physics skills that inform engineering, mine design, operations, economics, environment and social governance.
Industry partners have welcomed the reintroduction of the Mining Engineering degree programme.
Matt Daley, Technical & Operations Director of Anglo American, commented: “As one of the world’s leading mining companies, we are delighted that the University of Exeter and the world-class Camborne School of Mines will again be bringing through cohorts of new mining engineers.
“Our industry offers incredible career opportunities for engineers of many disciplines, but mining engineers in particular are set to benefit from an extraordinary era for mining over the next few decades as the world needs ever greater volumes of critical metals and minerals to decarbonise our energy and transport systems, as well as support improving living standards and food security. We look forward to meeting those new graduates in a few years’ time.”
Andrew Fulton, President of the Mining Association of the UK and Chairperson of the UK Mining Education Forum said “This is extremely positive news for the UK mining industry and a recognition by the University of the crucial role that minerals and mining has in ensuring a realistic and sustainable transition to net-zero for society. This will only be possible if we can supply enough people both to do the work and to ensure it is managed responsibly. We as an industry will support this programme to ensure its long term success.”
