International Advanced Mineral Resources Development

The earth's crust is one of the most important resource bases of modern society. The growing population of the earth and increasing worldwide industrialisation will cause a steadily rising need for raw materials and subsoil for the unforeseeable future.
The demands of the raw material industry, earthworks, were summarised to fulfil the needs of technically-competent executives, and the studying course "Advanced Mineral Resources Development" was created. It prepares students optimally for their future duties in this area. This joint degree programme of the Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria, the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, the China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, China, and the National Mining University Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, realises the international orientation of study. The direct linking of the apprenticeship with the innovative research of the university supports this and paves the way for graduates' professional start and career in demanding leadership positions.
Activity fields worldwide are planning, organisation, management and supervision of deposits, search and exploration, environmental friendliness, safe and economic production and mining of raw materials as well as transportation and distribution. Questions of drainage, economic efficiency analyses, environmental compatibility check, reclamation of landscapes after mining, security-technical and juridical settings of tasks and disposal/dumping of waste are included.
The study programme combines natural, engineering and business sciences, environment law and general management of georesources. It contains the following basic courses in mining, remediation and geoscience (lectures, seminars and practical training):

• Computer Application in Mining
• Deposit Modelling
• Numerical Methods of Deposit Modelling
• Lab in Mining Engineering
• Reclamation
• Mine Water: Hydrogeology and Modelling
• Brownfield Revitalisation
• Radioactivity
• Geotechnology: Underground Mining, Open Cast Mining, Underground Construction
• Geomechanics
• Mineral Processing
• Longwall Mining
• Safety Engineering in Mine

Basic courses are offered in management, economy and finance:

• Feasibility Study for a Mineral Resources Project
• Seminar in Mining Engineering & Mineral Economics
• Technical and Economical Assessment of Mining and Post Mining Areas.

Depending on their interests, students will be offered the opportunity to take courses in German Language, English Language, Biotechnology in Mining, Mining within the legal framework of Austria and the European Union, Licensing, Stakeholder Involvement and Expectation Management, Coal Mine Backfilling Techniques, Coal Fire Control and other courses.
The main part of the last semester is the Master's thesis with a defence in a final colloquium.
The study objective is the acquirement of the degree Master of Science.

Educational organisation

First Semester
The courses take place at the Montanuniversität Leoben (lectures, seminars and practical training):

• Mineral Economics
• Feasibility Study for a Mineral Resources Project
• Computer Application in Mining
• Deposit Modelling
• Numerical Methods of Deposit Modelling
• Seminar in Mining Engineering & Mineral Economics
• Lab in Mining Engineering
• English Language

Second Semester
The courses take place at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg (lectures, seminars and practical training):

• Reclamation
• Mine Water: Hydrogeology and Modelling
• Brownfield Revitalisation
• Radioactivity

Third Semester
The courses take place either at the National Mining University Dnipropetrovsk (lectures, seminars and practical training):

• Geotechnology: Underground Mining, Open Cast Mining, Underground Construction
• Geomechanics
• Mineral processing
• Technical and Economical Assessment of Mining and Post Mining Areas

or at the China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing (lectures, seminars and practical training):

• Longwall Mining
• Ground Control and Rock Mechanics for Underground Mining
• Mineral Processing
• Safety Engineering in Mine (or Mine Ventilation)

Fourth Semester
The last semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis with a defence in a final colloquium.

Study abroad unit(s)

Participants spend the first semester at the Montanuniversität Leoben and the third semester at the National Mining University Dnipropetrovsk or at the China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing.

Internships

Internships are parts of the lectures. They also can be carried out on an individual basis.

Forms of assessment

Courses, lectures, presentations and practical training will be graded using the European credit point system. Exams may be oral or written. Prerequisites for some examinations are home assignments, reports and presentations by the students. A total of 120 ECTS points is required, of which 30 ECTS points are awarded for the Master's thesis. This consists of the written thesis and a public defence (presentation and discussion).

Course objectives

The special profile of this Master's programme enables a graduate to work worldwide at the relevant mining and mining remediation enterprises, public administrations, and international organisations. They will be able to independently lead research projects and assume leadership responsibility. Thus, students will be able to the evaluate environmental impact of mining process.

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their English skills: TOEFL 550 (paper-based), or English Language Test System (IELTS) at least 6.0

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree (at least seven semesters) in mining engineering, geoengineering, applied geoscience or related fields

Enrolment fees

Approx. 90 EUR per semester

Costs of living

Living costs amount to 500-600 EUR per month, including accommodation, insurance, food, sports, and other expenses.

Job opportunities

Consulting firms and companies located in and around Freiberg offer jobs. The university also offers jobs related to research projects and teaching obligations.

Funding opportunities within the university

The "Deutschlandstipendium" is open to international students.
http://tu-freiberg.de/en/economy/deutschlandstipendium

Arrival support

The International Centre provides support to new international students by assigning a mentor to each new student. A buddy is a German or international student who speaks German and English, sometimes French, Spanish or Russian. The mentor takes the newcomer through the first steps in Freiberg and at the university, i.e. picking the student up at the train station upon arrival, helping with enrolment, and with all other required administrative formalities (e.g. health care, opening a bank account, administrative formalities at city hall). Students who wish to participate need to register well in advance of their arrival (http://www.iuz.tu-freiberg.de).

Services and support for international students

Intensive and individual professional advice is provided by the supervisors and coordinators of the programme. The International Centre offers support to all international students within the mentor programme, German language courses as well as information and consultation about studying and living in Freiberg.
Student initiatives offer valuable cultural services for all students and PhD students at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg and support the intercultural exchange at the university. Their activities include the international weekend at the beginning of the winter semester, the regular international corner with topical events, and trips to interesting places in Germany.
Psychological counselling is also provided to all students in need.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available on the private market. In Freiberg, many students choose to live in their own flats or to share flats, living together in a so-called WG ("Wohngemeinschaft"). Flats are generally unfurnished, although built-in kitchens are usually provided.
Rent for a single room is approx. 170-350 EUR per month. Often a deposit of two to three months rent has to be paid. Most prices given by private landlords are quoted without the price for utilities such as heating, water and electricity. This rental pricing without services is called "Kaltmiete". The additional expense for utilities is usually about 150-200 EUR per month.
Private accommodation can be found on the internet at:
http://www.studenten-wg.de
http://www.wohnungsgesellschaft.de (Städtische Wohnungsgesellschaft Freiberg)
http://www.rwr.de (RWR Immobilien Freiberg)
http://www.studentenwohnheim-freiberg.de
The International Centre offers support with finding accommodation on the private market (http://www.iuz.tu-freiberg.de).