School of Mining and Geosciences
School of Mining and Geosciences
School of Mining and Geosciences
Micro-Credential in Fundamentals of Mining Engineering for Industry Professionals
Elevate Your Expertise. Advance Your Career.
Nazarbayev University's School of Mining and Geosciences invites experienced professionals to join a rigorous, industry-driven micro-credential program designed to bridge technical knowledge with practical applications in modern mining operations.
Program Objective
This micro-credential program equips professionals with essential technical knowledge and applied skills in:
- Mine Operations
- Geology for Mining Engineers
- Individual Approach
- Mineral Processing
Through real-world case studies and hands-on learning, participants gain the expertise to make data-informed decisions in complex mining environments.
Why Choose This Micro-Credential?
Our program is designed with working professionals in mind. Here’s what sets it apart:
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Flexible Learning Format- Hybrid delivery: Combine the convenience of online learning with optional in-person workshops.
- Evening classes allow you to balance study with work commitments.
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Multilingual Support- No English test required.
- All course materials are translated into Russian, with simultaneous translation available during live sessions.
- Accessible for professionals from Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and beyond.
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University Recognition- Earn a Micro-Credential Certificate from Nazarbayev University’s School of Mining and Geosciences — a recognized leader in mining education.
- Share your achievement with a digital badge on LinkedIn and other platforms.
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Pathway to Master’s Degree- Accumulate 24 ECTS credits that can be transferred toward a Master of Science in Mining Engineering at NU (within 5 years and subject to eligibility).
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Industry-Relevant Curriculum- Developed with input from major mining companies.
- Courses focus on real-world application, including mine planning software like Rocscience and Map3D.
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Taught by ExpertsLearn from leading faculty and industry practitioners in the fields of mining engineering, geology, geomechanics, and mineral processing. -
Boost Your Career- Gain practical, interdisciplinary knowledge that enhances your problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Ideal for professionals seeking promotions, specialization, or a career shift within the mining sector.
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Networking Opportunities- Engage with a diverse cohort of professionals across the mining and geosciences sectors.
- Access potential field visits, case competitions, and collaborative projects with industry partners.
Program Structure and Cost
Master’s-Level Curriculum | 18 ECTS | Hybrid Format | 1 ECTS $267
Course Description
This course provides an integrated introduction to mining engineering for mining professionals. It covers the fundamental principles of mining, mining economics, and the geological knowledge required to understand, evaluate, plan, design, and mine orebodies.
The course also examines the role of geology in mining operations, including formation and types of orebodies, soil formation, characteristics and types of clay minerals, structural geology, hydrogeology, mine dewatering, and the impact of groundwater on surface and underground mining projects.
Key topics include mining terminology, mining law, exploration and sampling, resource and reserve estimation, surface and underground mining methods, mine planning and design, project evaluation, feasibility studies, risk management, and basic mining unit operations such as drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, support systems, shaft sinking, and mine ventilation.
By combining mining engineering principles with relevant geological knowledge, the course supports effective decision-making in mine design, planning, production, and operational risk management.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the successful student will be able to:
This course provides an integrated introduction to mining engineering for mining professionals. It covers the fundamental principles of mining, mining economics, and the geological knowledge required to understand, evaluate, plan, design, and mine orebodies.
The course also examines the role of geology in mining operations, including formation and types of orebodies, soil formation, characteristics and types of clay minerals, structural geology, hydrogeology, mine dewatering, and the impact of groundwater on surface and underground mining projects.
Key topics include mining terminology, mining law, exploration and sampling, resource and reserve estimation, surface and underground mining methods, mine planning and design, project evaluation, feasibility studies, risk management, and basic mining unit operations such as drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, support systems, shaft sinking, and mine ventilation.
By combining mining engineering principles with relevant geological knowledge, the course supports effective decision-making in mine design, planning, production, and operational risk management.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the successful student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of key definitions, concepts, and terminology in mining engineering.
- Explain the main stages of the mining value chain, including exploration, sampling, resource and reserve estimation, mine planning, production, and project evaluation.
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic mining unit operations, including drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, support systems, shaft sinking, and mine ventilation.
- Compare surface and underground mining methods and explain their application under different geological and operational conditions.
- Explain the basics of mining economics, feasibility studies, and risk management in mining projects.
- Analyze how geological knowledge and geological data assist mining engineers in evaluating, planning, designing, and mining orebodies.
- Identify and describe formation and types of orebodies, geological structures, and their relevance to mining operations.
- Explain soil formation, characteristics, and types of clay minerals in relation to mining engineering applications.
- Evaluate hydrogeological conditions in mining projects, including groundwater flow, mine dewatering, water inflow, and recharge to open-pit and underground mines.
- Assess the potential impacts of mining activities on groundwater levels, water quality, and the surrounding environment.
- Outline current industrial technologies, applications, and regional or global trends in mining.
Course Description:
The course aims at establishing a framework for understanding the fundamental principles governing the behavior of geo-materials (soil and rock). Specifically, the following will be covered: soil classification and phase relationships, intact rock properties and rock mass characterization and classification systems, stress and strain, theory of elasticity, including Kirsch equations, mechanical properties of rocks, geotechnical mapping and stereographic projections, shear strength of discontinuities, soil and rock failure criteria and rock mass classification. The course will incorporate fieldwork (geotechnical mapping) and laboratory work based on the ISRM and ASTM standards as well as the use of software (Rocscience and Map3D) to evaluate stress distribution around excavations.
Course Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course the successful student will be able to
The course aims at establishing a framework for understanding the fundamental principles governing the behavior of geo-materials (soil and rock). Specifically, the following will be covered: soil classification and phase relationships, intact rock properties and rock mass characterization and classification systems, stress and strain, theory of elasticity, including Kirsch equations, mechanical properties of rocks, geotechnical mapping and stereographic projections, shear strength of discontinuities, soil and rock failure criteria and rock mass classification. The course will incorporate fieldwork (geotechnical mapping) and laboratory work based on the ISRM and ASTM standards as well as the use of software (Rocscience and Map3D) to evaluate stress distribution around excavations.
Course Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course the successful student will be able to
- Explain most aspects of the fundaments of the mechanical behaviors of rock and soil
- Learn how to measure the physical and mechanical properties of soil and intact rock in a laboratory
- Learn how to determine in-situ rock mass and discontinuity properties.
- Plot a stereographic projection (stereonet) of structural data and interpret the results
- Apply appropriately Hoek-Brown and Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria to solve basic problems related to rock and soil mechanics.
- Characterize rock mass using the RMR and the GSI system for underground and surface mining.
Course Description:
This course covers studies of importance of process mineralogy for process selection, overview of methods and equipments used for laboratory testwork, development of flowsheets for comminution circuits. Sizing and selection of comminution equipments; crushers, screens, grinding mills and cyclones within a practical exercise. Gravity concentration. Evaluation of technical and economic optimum flotation grade-recovery using laboratory data. Flotation circuits. Selection and sizing of cells in a flotation circuit. Development of hydrometallurgical flowsheets. Sizing of leaching vessels, mass balance calculations on solid and solution flows and determination of reagent consumption.
Course Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, the student will be expected to be able to:
This course covers studies of importance of process mineralogy for process selection, overview of methods and equipments used for laboratory testwork, development of flowsheets for comminution circuits. Sizing and selection of comminution equipments; crushers, screens, grinding mills and cyclones within a practical exercise. Gravity concentration. Evaluation of technical and economic optimum flotation grade-recovery using laboratory data. Flotation circuits. Selection and sizing of cells in a flotation circuit. Development of hydrometallurgical flowsheets. Sizing of leaching vessels, mass balance calculations on solid and solution flows and determination of reagent consumption.
Course Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, the student will be expected to be able to:
- Learn and understand the basic terminology, comprehend the importance of process mineralogy as a tool for mineral processing and hydrometallurgical processes,
- Develop an understanding of process economics as an analytical tool for the assessment and optimisation of plant performance,
- Perform the engineering design and mass balance calculations related with mineral processes and hydrometallurgical processes,
- Apply the fundamental knowledge previously gained in related modules for the selection and design of mineral and hydrometallurgical processes, and develop conceptual process flowsheets
Delivered via online modules with optional in-person workshops, the program allows flexibility for busy professionals.
Professor's comment
Nasser Madani
Associate professor
Mining Engineering
Mining Engineering
As an educator and researcher in mining engineering, I see a growing need for professionals already working in the industry who lack formal training in mining fundamentals. This micro-credential bridges that gap — offering technically rigorous, practically relevant training across core areas like geology, geomechanics, and mineral processing. Delivered in a flexible format, it allows professionals to build essential knowledge and upskill without stepping away from their careers.
Micro-Credential at Nazarbayev University
What You'll Learn
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Apply mining engineering principles in real-world scenarios - Analyze and optimize mineral processing techniques
- Integrate geology and geomechanics into mine planning
- Master software tools like Rocscience and Map3D
Certification & Career Pathway
Upon successful completion, participants receive:
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Micro-Credential CertificateA Micro-Credential Certificate from the School of Mining and Geosciences -
Master’s Degree in Mining EngineeringRecognition of 24 ECTS that may be applied toward a Master’s Degree in Mining Engineering at NU (within 5 years, subject to eligibility)
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mining, Geology, or related fields
- Minimum 2 years of industry experience
- No language test required – all materials are translated with live interpretation (English ↔ Russian)
Altynay Kazhkenova
General Manager for Admissions
Academic affairs and industry relations
Academic affairs and industry relations
Our Contacts
Feel free to write, call, and visit us
General questions
Nasser Madani
Associate professor
Associate professor
Altynay Kazhkenova
Admissions, Academic affairs and industry relations
Admissions, Academic affairs and industry relations
Our Location
Nazarbayev University
Block 6, Floor 2
Qabanbay Batyr Ave 53
Astana, Kazakhstan
Block 6, Floor 2
Qabanbay Batyr Ave 53
Astana, Kazakhstan