Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in mining and mineral processing engineering. The programme falls under the Engineering & Technology category and typically spans 5 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Geology, Mineralogy and Economic Geology, Surface and Underground Mining Methods, Mine Design, Planning and Surveying, Rock Mechanics and Blasting Engineering, Mineral Processing and Comminution, Gravity Separation, Flotation and Leaching. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Mechanics, Agricultural Structures, Cloud Computing, Crop Management. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Industrial Attachment, Extractive Metallurgy and Refining, Mining Law, Safety and Research Methods, Engineering Mathematics and Geology, Blasting Engineering and Mine Ventilation. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Surface and Underground Mining, Blasting and Mine Ventilation, Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering pursue careers as Research Engineer / Mining Entrepreneur, Mineral Processing Engineer / Metallurgical Engineer, Mine Surveyor / Mine Safety Engineer, Mining Engineer / Mine Planner. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 396,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Geology, Mineralogy and Economic Geology
Surface and Underground Mining Methods
Mine Design, Planning and Surveying
Rock Mechanics and Blasting Engineering
Mineral Processing and Comminution
Gravity Separation, Flotation and Leaching
Extractive Metallurgy and Refining
Mine Ventilation, Safety and Environmental Management
Mining Economics and Mining Law
Mining and Mineral Processing Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Foundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Engineering Mathematics and Geology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering mathematics, engineering mechanics, strength of materials, thermodynamics, geology, mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, economic geology, exploration geology, mining geology, und...
Information Technology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer applications, data processing, and digital literacy for academic and professional use.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
Statistics and Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical methods, probability, and data interpretation for research and practice.
Professional Ethics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical principles, professional conduct, and regulatory frameworks in the field.
Project Management
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Project Management: Project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation techniques. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Extractive Metallurgy and Refining
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Extractive metallurgy, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, smelting, refining, process control, understanding metallurgy, and supporting extractive metallurgy.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Business planning, venture creation, and innovation management. Equips students with practical skills for venture creation and business management.
Mining Law, Safety and Research Methods
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Mining law, mining regulations, Mining Act 2016, safety, occupational health, engineering economics, entrepreneurship, research methods, understanding law and safety, and supporting engineering pra...
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at Base Resources, Tata Chemicals Magadi, Kenya Fluorspar, a gold mine, or mining consulting firm, applying mining and mineral processing engineering skills.

Specialisations

Surface and Underground Mining
Focuses on surface mining, open-pit mining, underground mining, mine design, mine planning, and supporting mining engineering.
Blasting and Mine Ventilation
Focuses on blasting engineering, explosives, mine ventilation, mine safety, and supporting blasting and ventilation engineering.
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
Specialises in mineral processing, comminution, flotation, leaching, extractive metallurgy, smelting, refining, and supporting mineral processing and metallurgy.
Mine Environmental Management
Concentrates on tailings management, mine water, environmental management, rehabilitation, mine closure, and supporting mine environmental management.
Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
Concentrates on rock mechanics, geotechnical engineering, ground control, slope stability, and supporting rock mechanics engineering.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on mining methods, mineral processing, or rock mechanics, followed by laboratory work, field visits, mine surveying practicals, or mineral processing laboratory work. Students work on mine designs, mine plans, blasting designs, flotation tests, comminution tests, slope stability analyses, ventilation designs, tailings plans, and mining and mineral processing engineering research. Laboratory work for mineral processing and geology, field visits to mines, mine surveying practicals, and industrial attachment at Base Resources, Tata Chemicals Magadi, Kenya Fluorspar, or a gold mine provide practical experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing mining sector — titanium, soda ash, fluorspar, gold, and rare earth exploration create demand for mining engineers.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Excellent salary potential — mining engineers earn competitive salaries, especially at established mining operations.
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.
Remote locations — mining operations are often in remote areas, which can be challenging for family and social life.
Commodity price volatility — mining sector employment can be affected by global commodity price fluctuations.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public300k to 396k

300k at Technical University of Kenya396k at University of Nairobi

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

TUK 300K, JKUAT/TTU 336.6K, UoN Eng ~396K/yr (educationnewshub, kenyaeducationguide). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some mining companies, including Base Resources and Tata Chemicals, offer scholarships for mining and mineral processing engineering students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Student Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Student members of IEK pursuing accredited engineering programmes
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
SponsorshipKsh 500,000
Academically talented but economically disadvantaged African students at partner universities.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders with credit pass in Mining Engineering, Geology, Mineral Processing, or related fields from recognised institutions may join.

Mathematics
C+ (plus)
Physics
C+ (plus)
Chemistry or Geography
C (plain)
English or Kiswahili
C (plain)

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
Final Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Research5% of the mark
Final year mining and mineral processing engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, problem sets, and laboratory exercises throughout the semester.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment at a mining company or processing plant. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.
Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of mine designs, mine plans, blasting designs, flotation tests, comminution tests, and slope stability analyses.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). EBK registration is mandatory for professional engineering practice. The Mining Act 2016 and NEMA regulations govern mining operations.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. EBK registration is mandatory for professional engineering practice. The Mining Act 2016 and NEMA regulations govern mining operations.
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.
Research Engineer / Mining Entrepreneur
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Conducts research, starts mining businesses, advises on exploration, and supporting research and entrepreneurship.
Mineral Processing Engineer / Metallurgical Engineer
Medium demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs processing plants, manages mineral processing, supports metallurgy, and supporting mineral processing engineering.
Mine Surveyor / Mine Safety Engineer
Medium demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 250,000
Conducts mine surveys, manages safety, supports ventilation, and supporting mine surveying and safety engineering.
Mining Engineer / Mine Planner
Medium demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs mines, plans operations, manages mining, supports mine development, and supports mining engineering.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as mining engineers, mineral processing engineers, and metallurgical engineers. Mining and mineral processing engineering is in medium to high demand driven by mining sector growth. Starting salaries range from KES 70,000 to 120,000 per month, with experienced engineers earning KES 150,000 to 350,000. Base Resources, Tata Chemicals Magadi, Kenya Fluorspar, gold mining companies, the Ministry of Mining, NEMA, and consulting firms offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MATLAB
CodePrimary
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Microsoft Project
Project management
Python
Code
SolidWorks
Design
Surpac
SoftwarePrimary
Geological modelling and mine planning software for resource estimation and mine design.
ArcGIS
Software
Geographic information system for mine site mapping and spatial analysis.
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Mining engineering is just about digging holes.
This programme covers mine design, planning, rock mechanics, blasting, mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, environmental management, and mining economics. It's a comprehensive engineering discipline.
Mining engineers only work in remote areas.
Graduates work at mines, processing plants, consulting firms, government, research institutions, and as independent consultants. Some roles are office-based.
This field has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Titanium mining, soda ash, fluorspar, gold mining, rare earth exploration, and the Mining Act 2016 create growing demand for qualified mining and mineral processing engineers.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.