Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering is an undergraduate programme offered at Taita Taveta University (TTU) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The programme trains students in mineral exploration, mine design, extraction, processing, and environmental management, equipping them with the technical and managerial skills required by Kenya’s growing mining sector.

Students study engineering mathematics, geology, rock mechanics, mine ventilation, mineral processing, surveying, mine planning, environmental management, and mining law. The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with extensive laboratory work, field trips to operating mines, computer-aided mine design, and supervised industrial attachment at mining companies.

Kenya’s mining sector is expanding with the development of Base Titanium’s Kwale mineral sands project, gold mining in Western Kenya, rare earth deposits in Mrima Hill, and exploration activities across the country. The Mining Act 2016 has created a regulatory framework that encourages investment in mineral exploration and extraction, increasing demand for qualified mining engineers. TTU is positioned as a Centre of Excellence in Mining, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (CEMEREM), supported by international partnerships.

Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory practicals, field trips to mines and geological sites, computer-aided mine design sessions, and supervised industrial attachment. At TTU, the programme is delivered full-time over ten semesters in the School of Mines and Engineering, with EBK accreditation. JKUAT offers a BSc in Mining and Mineral Engineering through its College of Engineering and Technology.

Graduates pursue careers as mining engineers, mine planners, mineral processing engineers, geotechnical engineers, quarry managers, and mining consultants in mining companies, exploration firms, government agencies, and consulting firms. The programme is accredited by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).

This programme is ideal for students with strong passes in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry who are interested in mineral extraction, mine safety, and sustainable mining practices.

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

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Engineering Mathematics
Geology for Mining Engineers
Rock Mechanics and Ground Control
Mine Ventilation and Safety
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
Mine Surveying
Mine Planning and Design
Mining Law and Regulations
Environmental Management in Mining
Computer-Aided Mine Design

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations forming the mathematical foundation for mining engineering analysis
Introduction to Geology for Mining Engineers
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Earth structure, mineral identification, rock types, geological processes, and geological mapping principles for mining applications
Engineering Drawing and Surveying
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Technical drawing, mine surveying basics, topographic mapping, and use of surveying instruments for mine site mapping
Mining Mechanics and Materials
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Statics, dynamics, and properties of engineering materials relevant to mining equipment and structures
Rock Mechanics and Ground Control
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Physical and mechanical properties of rocks, stress and strain analysis, slope stability, and ground support systems in mining
Mine Ventilation and Safety Engineering
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Mine ventilation design, air quality management, fire prevention, and occupational safety standards in underground and surface mines
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Comminution, separation, flotation, leaching, and refining processes for extracting minerals from ore
Mine Surveying and Geostatistics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced surveying techniques for mine mapping, ore body modelling, and statistical methods for mineral resource estimation
Mine Planning and Design
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Open-pit and underground mine design, production scheduling, equipment selection, and optimisation of mining operations
Mining Law, Economics and Environmental Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Kenya Mining Act 2016, mineral economics, environmental impact assessment, mine closure planning, and sustainable mining practices
Computer-Aided Mine Design
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Use of specialised mining software for mine modelling, pit optimisation, production scheduling, and visualisation of mine plans
Final Year Mining Engineering Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research or design project on a mining engineering topic, culminating in a dissertation defended before faculty and industry examiners

Specialisations

Mine Safety and Ventilation
Specialization in Mine Safety and Ventilation, preparing graduates for careers such as mining-design-engineer-junior.
Open-Pit Mine Planning
Specialization in Open-Pit Mine Planning, preparing graduates for careers such as mining-engineer. 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.
Underground Mining Engineering
Specialization in Underground Mining Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as mining-design-engineer-junior.
Geotechnical Engineering
Specialization in Geotechnical Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as mining-engineer.
Quarry and Construction Materials
Specialization in Quarry and Construction Materials, preparing graduates for careers such as mining-design-engineer-junior.
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
Specialization in Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, preparing graduates for careers such as mining-engineer.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on rock mechanics or mineral processing with afternoon laboratory sessions testing rock samples or analysing mineral compositions. Students participate in field trips to operating mines such as Base Titanium in Kwale, work on mine design projects using specialised software, and complete supervised industrial attachment at a mining operation.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand in Kenya’s growing mining sector with competitive salaries
TTU is a designated Centre of Excellence in Mining with international partnerships and modern facilities
EBK accreditation provides professional recognition and career advancement
Opportunities to work with international mining companies operating in Kenya and across Africa

Against it

Mining sites are often in remote locations, requiring willingness to work away from urban centres
Five-year programme duration is longer than most other degrees
EBK registration requires three years of supervised professional practice after graduation
Mining sector is subject to commodity price fluctuations that can affect employment stability

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

Students may access HELB undergraduate loans and county bursaries. Mining companies such as Base Titanium offer industrial attachment opportunities and occasional scholarships for mining engineering students at TTU.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Undergraduate Loan
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

5 recorded

Base Titanium Scholarship Programme
ScholarshipKenyan
Students from Kwale County and surrounding areas pursuing mining-related degrees
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities through KUCCPS or self-sponsored
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Student Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Student members of IEK pursuing accredited engineering programmes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

KCSE Mean Grade
B- (Minus)
Mathematics
C+ (Plus)
Physics
C+ (Plus)
Chemistry
C+ (Plus)
Geography or Biology (Group IV)
C+ (Plus)
Diploma option
Diploma in Engineering with credit pass from a recognised institution, eligible for year 2 or 3 entry

How you are assessed

4 components

Laboratory Practicals and Field Reports
Coursework25% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report and Final Project
Coursework100% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework25% of the mark
Final Semester Examinations
Coursework50% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and recognised by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). TTU’s mining engineering programme is EBK-accredited. Graduates must register with EBK to practise as professional engineers in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya
Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
Professional registrationRequired
TTU’s mining engineering programme is EBK-accredited. Graduates must register with EBK to practise as professional engineers

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Geotechnical Engineer (Junior)
Moderate demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Assesses ground stability, designs support systems, and monitors geotechnical risks in mining and civil engineering projects
Mine Planner (Junior)
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Develops mine plans, production schedules, and equipment deployment strategies using specialised mining software
Mining Engineer (Junior)
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Designs and supervises mining operations, ensures safety compliance, and optimises production at mining sites
Quarry Manager (Junior)
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 100,000
Manages quarry operations for construction materials, ensuring safety, productivity, and environmental compliance
Mineral Processing Engineer (Junior)
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manages mineral processing plants, optimises recovery rates, and ensures product quality in mineral extraction operations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as mining engineers, mine planners, mineral processing engineers, geotechnical engineers, and quarry managers in mining companies, exploration firms, government agencies, and consulting firms across Kenya and the East African region.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

AutoCAD
CadPrimary
Mining engineering drafting and design
Surpac
Mining softwarePrimary
Geological modeling and mine planning software
Vulcan
Mining software
3D mine planning and geological modeling
MATLAB
Computational
Numerical analysis for mining engineering
ArcGIS
Gis
Spatial analysis for mineral exploration
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Mining data analysis and cost estimation

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Mining engineering graduates can only work in active mines
Graduates work in mineral exploration, environmental consulting, quarry management, academic research, government regulation, and international mining companies, not only in active mine sites.
Kenya does not have a significant mining sector
Kenya has active mining operations including Base Titanium’s Kwale project, gold mining in Kakamega and Migori, fluorspar mining in Elgeyo Marakwet, and significant rare earth and mineral exploration across the country.
Mining engineering is dangerous and unhealthy
Modern mining engineering emphasises safety management, environmental protection, and sustainable practices. Mining engineers are trained to design safe extraction systems and implement occupational health standards.
There are no jobs for mining engineers in Kenya
The Mining Act 2016 has stimulated exploration and investment, creating demand for qualified mining professionals. TTU graduates have been employed by Base Titanium, Acacia Mining, and various exploration companies operating in Kenya.