Luleå University of Technology
MSc in Arctic Mineral Resources
Luleå, Sweden
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
The transition to green technologies and a low-carbon future is highly raw materials intensive. To address the mining-related sustainability challenges, encountered especially in the Arctic areas, the education of professionals must meet the new needs of the future.
This unique 2-year master's program, Arctic Mineral Resources, provides an in-depth knowledge of designing mineral production processes and infrastructure in the Arctic environment, of economic and environmental aspects of mining in the Arctic as well as sustainable mine project development. Arctic Mineral Resources addresses the strategic importance - but also challenges - of the sensitive Arctic environment, and is jointly given by Luleå University of Technology (LTU) in Sweden, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and University of Oulu (UO) in Finland.
Description
The teaching is in English and the program (120 ECTS) offers two study tracks:
- Mineral Resource Management (double degree between DTU and LTU) - This track primarily addresses the skills needed within government, consultancies, and various authorities, as well as the skills to communicate and interact with such stakeholders and the civil society.
- Mineral Entrepreneurship (double degree between UO and LTU) - This track primarily addresses the skills needed within (junior) mining companies, consultancies, or organizations active in the funding of mining projects.
Courses relate to management, administration, and infrastructure aspects of mining projects with a focus on the special conditions of the Arctic region, including logistics, cold-climate construction, and operations, stakeholder engagement in rural areas, and special environmental, societal, health, and safety considerations. Integrated field and project assignments in collaboration with industry and authorities strengthen the entrepreneurial abilities of students.
The first term for both tracks is given by the Luleå University of Technology. For the second term, the students move to Greenland (Arctic semester given by DTU, Mineral Resource Management) or Oulu (Nordic entrepreneur school at UO, Mineral Entrepreneurship), respectively. The third term offers the choice between the two universities in each track. The fourth term is assigned to the master thesis and is also shared and co-supervised by the two universities in each track.
You apply to the two study tracks of the program by using the two application links below, thus allowing you to make your first and second choice.
Our link to sustainable development goals
This program gives you the knowledge and tools required to participate and lead the work with, above all, the following global goals:
- 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
- The sustainable supply of minerals and metals critical for green technologies will facilitate the challenging transition to a low-carbon future.
- The sustainable supply of minerals and metals critical for green technologies will facilitate the challenging transition to a low-carbon future.
- 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
- The sustainable design of mineral production processes and infrastructure will support responsible mine project development in the Arctic environment.
- The sustainable design of mineral production processes and infrastructure will support responsible mine project development in the Arctic environment.
- 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
- The sustainable management and efficient use of natural mineral resources will contribute to establishing responsible supply chains.
- The sustainable management and efficient use of natural mineral resources will contribute to establishing responsible supply chains.
Labor market
This education provides you with the skills needed to e.g. work with junior mining companies and consultancies (Mineral Entrepreneurship track covering legislative, social, financial, and other aspects of mining projects) or to work for government and authorities with the evaluation of mining projects, permitting procedures and stakeholder involvement (Mineral Resource Management track).
Program content and structure
The program comprises 120 ECTS mandatory for all students, includes specialization courses and a master thesis. The program is given in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU, Denmark) and the University of Oulu (UO, Finland). The program is structured into two study tracks: Mineral Resource Management (given at DTU and LTU) focuses on mineral production processes and infrastructure in the Arctic environment. The program comprises technical courses, courses on mining and environmental legislation, incl permitting procedures, mineral economics, and logistics and infrastructure. Mineral Entrepreneurship (given at UO and LTU) focuses on entrepreneurship for mine project development in the Arctic regions. The program comprises technical courses, courses on economical and environmental aspects, mining business administration, and mineral resource evaluation The student mobility scheme goes through the following scheme: The first term for both tracks is given by the Luleå University of Technology. For the second term, the students move to Greenland (Arctic semester given by DTU, Mineral Resource Management) or Oulu (Nordic entrepreneur school at UO, Mineral Entrepreneurship), respectively. The third term offers the choice between the two universities in each track. The fourth term is assigned to the master thesis and is also shared and co-supervised by the two universities in each track. For admission to master's thesis, the specified prerequisites of the syllabus must be met. Specific information about the application and admission process for the master thesis is secured by the course-giving institution.
Credits
The program consists of 120 Credits.
Degrees
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) - Major; Geosciences
Specializations
- Mineral Entrepreneurship
- Mineral Resource Management
Compulsory courses
Introduction (LTU): 30 Credits
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| L7026K | Sampling and Evaluation of Environmental Data | 7,5 | Second level | |
| M7007K | Process mineralogy | 7,5 | Second level | |
| M7010K | Introduction to the Mining Value Chain | 7,5 | Second level | |
| O7024K | Geology of the Arctic | 7,5 | Second level |
Specialization: Mineral Resource Management
Arctic semester (DTU): 30 Credits
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| The Arctic Infrastructure and Society | 5,0 | |||
| Extreme Climate and Physical Nature | 5,0 | |||
| Infrastructure Constructions in the Arctic | 15,0 | |||
| Environmental Engineering in the Arctic | 5,0 |
Deepening infrastructure (DTU)
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| Rock Physics and Rock Mechanics | 5,0 | Selectable | ||
| Mineral Resources | 5,0 | Selectable | ||
| Railway Design and Maintenance | 10,0 | Selectable | ||
| Pavement mechanics | 5,0 | Selectable | ||
| Advanced rock mechanics and tunneling | 5,0 | Selectable |
Or - Deepening mineral processing (LTU) - mandatory
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| New course | Mineral Economics and Investment Appraisal | 7,5 | Second level | Selectable |
| New course | Mining and environmental laws and Disclosure of mineral resources | 7,5 | Second level | Selectable |
| M7003K | Mineral Processing | 7,5 | Second level | Selectable |
Deepening mineral processing (LTU) - elective: 7.5 Credits
Optional space is 7.5 credits. It is mandatory to select elective courses up to the given number of credits. The given number of credits of elective courses listed must be met for the degree.
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| M7005K | Senior Design Project in Mineral Processing | 7,5 | Second level | Selectable |
| T7008B | Open Pit and Underground Mining | 7,5 | Second level | Selectable |
Master thesis (DTU)
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| Master thesis DTU | 30,0 | Selectable |
Or - Master thesis (LTU)
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| New course | Degree project in Arctic Mineral Resources, Specialization: Mineral Resource Management | 30,0 | Second level | Selectable |
Specialization: Mineral Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur school (UO): 30 Credits
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| Introduction to Business Development | 5,0 | |||
| Mine geology | 5,0 | |||
| Mining project feasibility study | 5,0 | |||
| Entrepreneuring for Sustainability | 5,0 | |||
| Stakeholder engagement and SLO | 10,0 |
Deepening metallurgy (UO)
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| Chemistry of hydrometallurgical processes | 5,0 | Selectable | ||
| Quality requirements of concentrates | 5,0 | Selectable | ||
| Mining, environment, and society | 5,0 | Selectable | ||
| Financial and project valuation of mining | 5,0 | Selectable | ||
| Recycling and treatment of processing rejects | 5,0 | Selectable | ||
| Thermodynamic and process modeling in metallurgy and mineral processing | 5,0 | Selectable |
Or - Deepening mineral processing (LTU) - mandatory
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| New course | Mineral Economics and Investment Appraisal | 7,5 | Second level | Selectable |
| New course | Mining and environmental laws and Disclosure of mineral resources | 7,5 | Second level | Selectable |
| M7003K | Mineral Processing | 7,5 | Second level | Selectable |
Deepening mineral processing (LTU) - elective: 7.5 Credits
Optional space is 7.5 credits. It is mandatory to select elective courses up to the given number of credits. The given number of credits of elective courses listed must be met for the degree.
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| M7005K | Senior Design Project in Mineral Processing | 7,5 | Second level | Selectable |
| T7008B | Open Pit and Underground Mining | 7,5 | Second level | Selectable |
Master thesis (UO)
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| Master thesis UO | 3,0 | Selectable |
Or - Master thesis (LTU)
| Code | Course | Credits | Level | Comment |
| New course | Degree project in Arctic Mineral Resources, specialization: Mineral Entrepreneurship | 30,0 | Second level | Selectable |
Partners
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Natural Resources Engineering
- Luleå University of Technology
- Luleå University of Technology
- Department of Civil Engineering
- Technical University of Denmark
- Technical University of Denmark
- Oulu Mining School
- University of Oulu
- University of Oulu
Mobility scheme
All students will be enrolled first at the Luleå University of Technology, i.e. the first term for both tracks is given in Luleå. For the second term, the students move to Greenland (Arctic semester given by DTU, track Mineral Resource Management) and Oulu (Nordic entrepreneur school at UO, track Mineral Entrepreneurship), respectively. The third term offers the choice between the two universities within each track. The fourth term is assigned to the master thesis and is also shared and co-supervised by the two universities in each track.