The Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) has established a flexible and modular suite of programs in Mineral Resources which lead to formal qualifications in several fields, including Environment, Risk Management and Minerals Processing. Most of the courses are delivered online, while a few are offered in an intensive face-to-face format, followed by assignments and tutorials.

Formal qualifications

The coursework programs can be taken at a number of different levels:

Currently, all SMI courses are worth 2 units (although some project options may be worth 4, 6 or 8 units), and therefore a Graduate Certificate is equivalent to 4 courses. Students may progress from a Certificate to a Diploma and then to a Masters degree. Alternatively, you may enrol directly in the Diploma or Masters. 

Use this site’s Program Planner to map out your course of study.

Fields of study

There are currently two principal fields of study offered through SMI Centres.

Environment - coordinated by the Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation (CMLR). This field is focused on the management of environmental issues, including regulatory and management systems in addition to specific technical issues such as water management.

Risk management - co-ordinated by the Mineral Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC). This field is focused on the use of risk management and assessment tools primarily in the areas of health and safety and environment in the mineral industry context.

Personnel from all SMI Centres (CMLR, Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM), Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry (CWiMI), Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC), MISHC, and WH Bryan mining Geology Research Centre (WHB)) are involved in the organisation and delivery of the various courses, and development of the education program is ongoing.

Eligibility criteria and Admission requirements

The following table shows the Postgraduate Programs and eligibility criteria.

SMI Education Co-ordinators will be able to clarify any specific requirements in their area. Final approval rests with the Director of Studies, EPSA Faculty (Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture).

Research higher degrees

SMI also offers opportunities for postgraduate research degrees at both Masters and PhD level in a diverse range of areas related to mining operations and environmental aspects of mining. Details of current and future research topics are listed on each of the individual Centres’ websites, and any of the Education Co-ordinators listed on the Contacts page of this site would be able to help arrange a discussion on possibilities in this area.