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EMJM PROMISE—A Contribution to Sustainable
Mineral Processing
Wolfgang Öfner, Helmut Flachberger
Montanuniversität Leoben
Maria Sinche-Gonzalez
University of Oulu
Gordan Bedeković
University of Zagreb
Paula Guerra, Claudio Acuña
Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María
ABSTRACT: Efficiency has always been a desirable characteristic in mineral processing. However, as the
world’s consumption of minerals and metals keeps rising while resources are being depleted, sustainable supply
is becoming ever more important. Therefore, four universities in Europe and Chile have combined forces
and set up their “Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Sustainable Mineral and Metal Processing Engineering—
PROMISE.” Two modules of the program focus on sustainability issues in this area. The first intake started their
studies in September 2022. This paper presents the motivation and content of PROMISE and gives an update
on its recent experiences and outlooks.
THE MOTIVATION FOR EMJM PROMISE
Efficiency of their operations has always been on the mind
of mineral processing engineers. Without further definition
of this term, more efficient operations result in overall lower
costs and higher revenues. However, as richer deposits are
becoming depleted and requirements such as water, energy,
potential dumping volume, etc. become either much more
expensive or simply less available, this entire topic gets more
important for further successful processing operations.
The importance of sustainability has been recognized by
the minerals engineering sector a long time ago. This is also
reflected by the IMPC council initiating its Sustainability
Commission in 2008 (IMPC council 2024). Highlighting
the sustainability point-of-view in mineral processing edu-
cation is therefore a logical conclusion. Another crucial
topic for the minerals sector is its supply with well-edu-
cated, able mineral processing engineers. This issue has also
been addressed by the IMPC council for many years now.
Its Education Commission has been incepted in 2008 as
well. Having a dedicated session at the XXVI IMPC in New
Delhi (2012) and its subsequent publication as a separate
monograph is evidence. The survey of the topic presented
in Cilliers 2013 reflects the situation back then.
The “Joint Master in Sustainable Mineral and Metal
Processing Engineering,” in short PROMISE, addresses
both issues outlined above. It reflects the future demands
of mining and mineral processing engineering, the needs
of the industry, disruptive innovation and mobility (trig-
gered by key economic, incremental and societal trends),
and required competences and knowledge that a mineral
EMJM PROMISE—A Contribution to Sustainable
Mineral Processing
Wolfgang Öfner, Helmut Flachberger
Montanuniversität Leoben
Maria Sinche-Gonzalez
University of Oulu
Gordan Bedeković
University of Zagreb
Paula Guerra, Claudio Acuña
Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María
ABSTRACT: Efficiency has always been a desirable characteristic in mineral processing. However, as the
world’s consumption of minerals and metals keeps rising while resources are being depleted, sustainable supply
is becoming ever more important. Therefore, four universities in Europe and Chile have combined forces
and set up their “Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Sustainable Mineral and Metal Processing Engineering—
PROMISE.” Two modules of the program focus on sustainability issues in this area. The first intake started their
studies in September 2022. This paper presents the motivation and content of PROMISE and gives an update
on its recent experiences and outlooks.
THE MOTIVATION FOR EMJM PROMISE
Efficiency of their operations has always been on the mind
of mineral processing engineers. Without further definition
of this term, more efficient operations result in overall lower
costs and higher revenues. However, as richer deposits are
becoming depleted and requirements such as water, energy,
potential dumping volume, etc. become either much more
expensive or simply less available, this entire topic gets more
important for further successful processing operations.
The importance of sustainability has been recognized by
the minerals engineering sector a long time ago. This is also
reflected by the IMPC council initiating its Sustainability
Commission in 2008 (IMPC council 2024). Highlighting
the sustainability point-of-view in mineral processing edu-
cation is therefore a logical conclusion. Another crucial
topic for the minerals sector is its supply with well-edu-
cated, able mineral processing engineers. This issue has also
been addressed by the IMPC council for many years now.
Its Education Commission has been incepted in 2008 as
well. Having a dedicated session at the XXVI IMPC in New
Delhi (2012) and its subsequent publication as a separate
monograph is evidence. The survey of the topic presented
in Cilliers 2013 reflects the situation back then.
The “Joint Master in Sustainable Mineral and Metal
Processing Engineering,” in short PROMISE, addresses
both issues outlined above. It reflects the future demands
of mining and mineral processing engineering, the needs
of the industry, disruptive innovation and mobility (trig-
gered by key economic, incremental and societal trends),
and required competences and knowledge that a mineral