Mining Engineering
Mining engineers play a key role in the planning, exploitation and excavation of mineral resources.
Overview
Plan, organise and manage safe and efficient ways to extract raw materials from the earth.
In the first two years, you will learn the skills, technology and basic sciences common to all areas of engineering, including courses in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering. In the third and fourth years, you will study mining engineering subjects, including courses in mineral resources evaluation, ventilation, environmental engineering, mine and rock mechanics. In the final stage of the programme, you’ll complete a mine design exercise in which you’ll apply your knowledge to designing a mine and assessing its economic feasibility and profit potential.
The programme will provide you with the engineering expertise you’ll need as a mining engineer or mine manager.
Career Opportunities
- Blasting Engineer
- Consulting Mining Engineer
- Environmental, Safety and Health Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Mine Manager
- Mine Design Engineer
- Mineral Resources Manager
- Project Manager
- Rock Engineer
Curriculum
A common first-year programme was introduced from 2019 across all professional engineering disciplines.
The academic curriculum is regularly modernised in order to ensure that it meets the highest professional and academic standards and that it simultaneously remains locally relevant and applicable.
Many engineering students entering the engineering programmes have limited knowledge of the different branches of engineering and only gain the knowledge to make an informed choice of the programme during their first year.
A first-year curriculum that is identical for all programmes allows students to amend their choice at the end of the first year.
First-year
- Engineering Chemistry
- Introduction to the Engineering Profession
- Engineering Analysis and Design IA AND IB
- Engineering Mathematics IA AND IB
- Engineering Physics IA AND IB
- Applied Physics I
AND, one of the following courses:
- Elementary IsiZulu Language and Culture IA
- Elementary Sesotho Language and Culture IA
- The International Relations of South Africa and Africa
- Introduction to Political Studies
- Southern Africa in the Era of Globalisation
- Identity and Society
- Introduction to Ethics I
- Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality
- Global Encounters and Contemporary Realities IA
Second-year
- Applied Mathematics IIA
- Geology IA AND IB
- Mathematics II
- Engineering Services for Mining
- Introduction to Underground and Surface Mining Methods
- Computer Applications in Mining
- Explosives Engineering
- Mechanical Excavation of Rock
- Engineering Surveying
- Digital Technologies and Mine Data Analytics
- Computer Programming for Mining
- Professional Development
- Computer Programming Bootcamp (Mining)
- Practical Workshop Training (Mining)
Third-year
- Ore Dressing and Extractive Metallurgy
- Ore Body Modelling
- Mine Transportation, Automation and Robotics
- Mineral Resources Evaluation
- Computerised Mine Design
- Rock Mechanics
- Mine Ventilation and Climate Control
- Water, Energy and the Environment
- Mine Surveying and Geospatial Techniques
- Underground Mining Systems
- Surface Mining Systems
Fourth-year
- Mine Management Principles and Entrepreneurship
- Financial Valuation
- Mine Design
- Project Report
- Rock Engineering
- Mining Optimisation Techniques and Systems
- Engineering
- Health, Safety and Mining Law
- Mine Technical Visits
- Vacation Work I (Mining)
Entry Requirements
APS 42+
English Home Language OR First Additional Language Level 5
Mathematics Level 5
Physical Sciences Level 5
Wait-listing
Applicants with English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at Level 5 will be wait-listed, subject to place availability. Generally, applicants who achieve Level 6 in English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences stand a greater chance of being accepted.
University Application Process
- The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
- Please click here for an overview of the application process.
- Check the admission requirements for your degree. Check if any additional selection requirements apply.
- Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
- Once you have applied, an admissions consultant will be assigned to your application.
- Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
- If you are an international applicant and/or have a foreign qualification, please click here.
Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.
University Fees and Funding
Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.
The Financial aid office provides information on student funding and scholarships. University-funded Scholarships include Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships, University Entrance Scholarships, Equality Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and National Olympiad winner awards. For information about NSFAS funding, please visit the NSFAS website. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.
Wits Plus applicants: terms of payment are in accordance with University regulations, and students are not eligible for University bursaries/NSFAS or residential accommodation.