The Department of Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering (MMPE) was established in October, 2020 as a result of establishment of School of Mines and Geosciences (SoMG). The department was established with the following objectives;

1. To provide undergraduate education and advanced training for engineers;
2. To provide postgraduate education and professional training for engineers;
3. To conduct applied research and process development in order to improve product quality, plant capacity utilization and product diversification; and
4. To provide expert professional services in the form of consultancy and services to industry, government and other organizations.

The department offers the following degree programs:

1. Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering
2. Bachelor of Science in Metallurgy and Mineral Processing Engineering
3. Bachelor of Science in Engineering Geology
4. Master of Science in Mining Engineering (Mineral Economics) by Coursework and Dissertation
5. Master of Science in Mining Engineering by Thesis
6. Master of Science in Metallurgy and Mineral Processing Engineering by Thesis

Mining Engineering

Mining Engineering is a discipline that embraces the science and art of recovering valuable minerals from the earth including metal ores, industrial minerals, and solid fuel and energy sources such as coal and nuclear material. The students are taught basic principles in mathematical modelling, geology, rock engineering, rock excavation, mining equipment, mining systems engineering, mineral economics and fundamentals of mine design. The graduate will have adequate skills needed in searching for mineral deposits, estimation of mineral resources, designing of mines, commissioning mines, operating mines, mining environment management, techniques on operating small-scale mines, application of computers in mining, mining management, mining evaluation and budgeting, etc.

Metallurgy and Mineral Processing Engineering

Metallurgy and Mineral processing Engineering deals with the extraction of valuable materials from their ores and involves liberation of valuable minerals and separation of value from gangue minerals. Students are taught basic knowledge of processing various minerals such as crushing techniques, milling, and chemistry of metals, metal separation, and leaching techniques. Also, the program offers skills for minerals economics, environmental protection in mining areas, mining management, mining budgeting, etc.

Engineering Geology

Engineering geology is a field that combines the knowledge needed to comprehend the interaction of the earth material and environment to engineering structures we need for our civilization such as buildings, roads, process plants, dams etc. To meet the challenges needed to locate, design, and construct stable structures, students are provided with principles in geology, environmental science, ground water engineering, soil engineering, and rock engineering that are coupled with skills in mathematics and computing. The graduate can work in the industries of construction, mining, petroleum, and any other earth related industry.

We also offer short courses including:

1. Simulation of Mineral Processing systems
2. Metallurgical accounting
3. Mineral Flowsheet development
4. Mineral Process equipment selection and sizing
5. Mineral Economics

Our staff perform research in areas of:

1. Mineral and coal beneficiation
2. Extractive metallurgy
3. Comminution
4. Ground stability
5. Artificial intelligence application in Geosciences and Engineering
6. Mine environment management
7. Mine optimization

The department is housed in Block R (Mining Block) situated within the College of Engineering complex, containing: offices, lecture rooms, workshop, computer laboratories, library and pilot plant areas equipped with up-to-date equipment.

Laboratories

The MMPE laboratories are used for experiments, process development and also serves for standard analysis and quality control for different products and raw materials at laboratory scale.

Analytical and Instrumentation Facilities

A variety of modern equipment is available for use in various analytical tests. Equipment available include: Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS), Total Station for Surveying, Gas Chromatography (GC), etc.

Computer Laboratory

There is a large computer room equipped with fast and powerful computers. These computers are used for teaching undergraduate students. Graduate students are provided with computers in their offices.  

RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY

The MMPE department is actively involved in Consultancy, research and development projects funded by several industries (private and public), national and international organizations. Priority research and consultancy areas include; Environmental Impact Assessment (Waste Management, Environmental Monitoring, Cleaner Technology), Mineral economics (taxation, Metallurgical Accounting, etc), Mine Planning and Design (Feasibility Studies, Reserve Estimation, Open Pit Planning and Design, Underground Design, Coal Mine Design etc.)

Consultancy and services areas of expertise mentioned in part 4 above is coordinated by BICO and SoMG Bureau.

HUMAN RESOURCES

The department has 21 academic and 3 technical staff currently on post. These include professors; senior lecturers, lecturers, Assistant lectures, tutorial assistants, and laboratory engineers. 

EXTERNAL LINKS

The department continues to work closely with several local institutions including: COSTECH; TIRDO; TAZAMA Pipeline; Various Ministries and Government institutions. Others are Geita Gold Mine; Barrick Mines; ORICA; to mention but a few.

The department has received/receives financial support from NORAD, WORLD BANK, SIDA/SAREC, MHO/NUFFIC, GTZ, DANIDA, etc. The department has a link agreement with Lulea University of Technology (LTU), Imperial College, UK, Technical University of Eindhoven of Holland and Queensland University of Australia.

Contact Address:

Department of Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering

P.O. Box 35131

Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania

Tel: +255 22 2410368

E-mail: head-mmpe@udsm.ac.tz