The Mining Engineering program trains professionals with academic excellence in capabilities, skills and abilities to design sustainable extraction projects of mineral resources, preserving the quality of the environment and promoting the social development of surrounding communities and society in general.

Mission
We train Mining Engineers of integrity and excellence who, through research, innovation, and social commitment, promote sustainable development.

Vission
To be an academic benchmark in the mining sector, with international excellence, of proactive and innovative leaders committed to society.

The Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mining and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

The Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering is certified by the EUR-ACE® Engineering label awarded by the European Network for the Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE).

The Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) emerged as a response to the increasing demands for scientific and technical education in the country. It was created during the presidency of Dr. Camilo Ponce Enríquez, through Executive Decree No. 1664 published in the Official Registry on November 11, 1958. On May 25, 1959, 51 students officially began their academic life at ESPOL in two classrooms of the Casona Universitaria, under the direction of the first Rector, Ing. Walter Camacho Navarro, who was an Mining Engineer. It is worth noting that almost immediately after the creation of the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, in 1959, the activities of what was then called the Department of Mines began.

In the last months of 1964, when the first graduate of the academic unit had just been released, it was called the Department of Geology, Mines, and Petroleum. A total of five students, divided into three groups of different levels, were pursuing the only degree offered to obtain the title of Engineer in Geology, Mines, and Petroleum. The department had two full-time professors, two part-time professors, one assistant for the only existing laboratory, and one janitor.

The Faculty of Engineering in Geology, Mines, and Petroleum was formed in 1983 in response to the need to create these three programs. Initially, ESPOL only had the Mining Engineering specialty within the area of Earth Sciences. The current name, Faculty of Engineering in Earth Sciences (FICT), was adopted in 1989 with four careers: Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and Civil Engineering, the latter replacing Geotechnical Engineering. With some changes and improvements in the curriculum and the Faculty, these four careers have been maintained until the present time under the name of the Faculty of Engineering in Earth Sciences (FICT), which was established in 1989.

Starting from this year, the student population in Mining Engineering at ESPOL decreased to the point where in 1995, only 2 students were enrolled in the program. At the time, other universities were facing similar situations, and some even closed this specialization. To address this issue, ESPOL optimized all available resources and the potential of the program by conducting promotional campaigns and revising the academic curriculum. Despite the challenges faced, the Mining Engineering program at ESPOL remained open, which was rare for this field nationally.

Subsequently, with the implementation of the National Exam for Higher Education and the research conducted in Mega-projects in the mining area, the number of students increased, and by 2015, there were 134 active students enrolled in the program.

Mining Engineering is a program for those who enjoy fieldwork, analysis, research, and strategic planning, applying science and technology to the exploration and sustainable use of mineral resources.

Your role will be essential in the mining, energy, and infrastructure industries, ensuring the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of projects. If you are motivated by adventure, innovation, and the challenge of developing technological solutions for the responsible use of natural resources, you have the perfect profile to become a Mining Engineer!

At the end of their studies at ESPOL, Mining Engineering graduates are expected to achieve the following student outcomes:

SO1: Ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex mining engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
SO2: Ability to apply mining engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
SO3a: Ability to communicate effectively with a large audience in Spanish. 
SO3b: Ability to communicate effectively with a large audience in English.
SO4: Ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in mining engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of mining engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
SO5: Ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
SO6: Ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use mining engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
SO7: Ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
SO8: Ability to design real solutions with a unique value proposition to address specific needs considered from the point of view of stakeholders.

Our graduates, within three to five years after graduation, will be able to:

• Participate in the design, operation, optimization, and control of mining projects, applying technical knowledge, analytical and computing skills, and ethical principles to ensure efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

• Contribute to the advancement of the mining industry through research and innovation that addresses technical, economic, environmental, and social challenges.

• Effectively lead or collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating integrity, social and environmental responsibility, and a commitment to sustainable and equitable development in mining operations, in line with the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda.

• Apply emerging technologies and updated knowledge through continuous learning and professional development, pursuing graduate studies, certifications, or participating in professional and scientific organizations.

Design mining operations and projects, applying engineering and management knowledge. Manage, coordinate and supervise in a sustainable manner, operations and projects in deposit evaluation, geomechanics, mining exploitation, mineral processing and extractive metallurgy.

Students must fulfill the following requirements:

*Successfully complete the study program (120 credits), which include:

336 hours of Internship Experience:

• 240 hours of Pre-professional Business Internships (5 credits).
• 96 hours of Community Service Internships (2 credits).

Curricular Integration Unit:

• Capstone Course (3 credits).
• Capstone Project (5 credits).

The Capstone Project is a culminating requirement for graduation. These projects provide students with the experience of applying acquired knowledge and skills to the needs of society, with a focus on sustainability.
The IDEAR fair showcases all Capstone projects, offering students a valuable opportunity to showcase their work and hone soft skills such as communication and teamwork. It is also a space for students to network with potential clients and future employers.
Explore all of the capstone projects completed by the Mining Engineering program.

In Mining Engineering program, students have the ability to carry out activities related to geomatics (Topography and Geographic Information Systems), underground and surface mining operations, mineral treatment plants and occupational safety and environmental management. It should be noted that the student's profile is designated according to his progress in the program, which is linked to the number of subjects passed.
 

Profiles:

- Open Pit operations assistant

• Generate dimensioning of the machine park. 

• Design operations of starting, loading and transportation of minerals. 

• Design auxiliary operations in open pit mining.

• Analyze operating costs of the open pit exploitation.

• Optimize processes.

 - Topography assistant

• Planimetric and altimetric surveys of open pit and underground works.

• Topographic surveys for the calculation of mineral reserves and for the design of surface works.

- Mineral processing assistant

• Control and take samples in conmination operations. 

• Control operations and processes in mineral benefit plant.

• Carry out mineralogical tests for the control of mineral grades and control of mineral recovery processes.

 - Occupational safety and environmental management systems assistant

• Evaluate job positions from the point of view of worker safety and health. 

• Analyze the requirements of occupational safety and health management systems.

• Verify compliance with the legal, environmental and safety framework of mining companies.

• Analysis of production reports and tax reports of mining companies.

- Underground mining operations assistant

• Design underground mining excavations.

• Determine parameters of underground mining exploitations.

• Design mineral grooving operations.

• Design auxiliary operations in underground mining exploitations.

• Control the pressure of the mine.

• Analyze operating costs in the underground exploitation.

• Optimize processes.
   

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