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Rio Tinto and University of Queensland Launch Oyu Tolgoi Training Programme www.discoveryalert.com.au
The mining industry is facing a critical global talent shortage, particularly in specialized underground mining skills. In response to this challenge, Rio Tinto and the University of Queensland (UQ) have established the South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, creating a pioneering training hub that will help develop the next generation of mining professionals.
What is the South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute?
The South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute represents a groundbreaking collaboration between Rio Tinto, one of the world's largest mining companies, and the University of Queensland, a global leader in mining education. Located at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia's South Gobi region, this comprehensive training program aims to address the global shortage of qualified mining professionals by providing specialized education to both local Mongolian and international mining talent.
The institute utilizes Rio Tinto's world-class Oyu Tolgoi operation as a living laboratory, offering students unprecedented access to one of the world's most technologically advanced underground mining operations. This hands-on approach distinguishes the program from traditional mining education, providing participants with practical insights into mining techniques in a functioning mine that employs cutting-edge techniques and technologies.
What makes this institute particularly innovative is its focus on mass mining techniques specific to underground operations—a specialized skill set that is increasingly in demand as more mining operations transition from open-pit to underground methods to access deeper mineral deposits.
Why Was This Training Program Created?
The Global Mining Skills Shortage
The mining industry is facing a critical talent crisis. Recent years have witnessed a substantial decline in students pursuing mining engineering degrees worldwide. According to industry reports, mining engineering enrollment in major mining countries has dropped by up to 70% over the past decade, creating an alarming shortage of qualified professionals entering the industry.
This skills gap comes at a particularly challenging time, as the global transition to clean energy technologies is driving unprecedented demand for copper and other critical minerals. The International Energy Agency estimates that meeting climate goals will require a quadrupling of mineral demand by 2040, yet the industry is struggling to maintain its current workforce, let alone expand it.
Addressing Industry Demands
The South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute was specifically designed to address several critical industry challenges:
The acute shortage of specialized underground mining expertise, particularly as many operations transition from open-pit to underground mining
The growing technical complexity of modern mining operations, which require engineers with advanced skills in geotechnics, automation, and digital systems
The need for localized talent development in Mongolia, where mining represents approximately 25% of GDP
The industry-wide push toward more sustainable and efficient mining practices that require specialized knowledge
As Joanne Farrell, Rio Tinto's Chief Executive for Copper, noted during the institute's launch ceremony, "The skills required for modern underground mining go far beyond what was needed even a decade ago. We're not just training miners; we're developing professionals who understand complex systems integration, can interpret vast amounts of data, and can apply principles of sustainability throughout the mining lifecycle."
How Will the Training Program Operate?
Program Structure and Curriculum
The institute's curriculum has been meticulously developed by the University of Queensland's Sustainable Minerals Institute in collaboration with Rio Tinto mining engineers and geotechnical experts. The program focuses on several core engineering disciplines essential for modern underground mining operations:
Advanced block caving techniques and other mass mining methodologies
Geotechnical engineering specific to deep underground environments
Digital systems integration and remote operations
Ventilation engineering and environmental management
Safety systems and risk mitigation strategies
Resource modeling and production sequencing
The program combines theoretical classroom education with practical, hands-on experience in the actual mining environment, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of both the principles and practical applications of modern mining techniques.
Practical Training at Oyu Tolgoi
What sets this program apart is its integration with the operational Oyu Tolgoi copper mine—a $7 billion underground mining complex that represents one of the industry's most technologically advanced operations. Students will gain hands-on experience with:
Recently commissioned ventilation Shafts 3 and 4, which incorporate the latest in air handling technology
The mine's state-of-the-art conveyor to surface system, currently being commissioned
Advanced block cave production areas where students can observe real-time mining operations
Digital operations centers that coordinate the complex underground mining processes
This practical component gives participants experience that would be impossible to replicate in a traditional educational setting, allowing them to witness the challenges and solutions of a working mine that will soon be producing 500,000 tonnes of copper annually.
Timeline and Participation
The institute will welcome its inaugural cohort of 28 participants in early 2025. This initial group will include employees from Rio Tinto and Oyu Tolgoi LLC, along with selected participants from Mongolian mining companies and graduates from Mongolian universities.
Beginning in 2026, the program will expand to accept participants from international mining companies, creating a truly global center of excellence for underground mining education. The institute plans to train approximately 100 mining professionals annually by 2028, making a significant contribution to addressing the global mining skills shortage.
Who Benefits from the Training Program?
Local Workforce Development
One of the primary beneficiaries of this initiative is Mongolia's mining workforce. The country has ambitious plans to develop its mineral resources but has historically relied heavily on international expertise for advanced mining operations.
As Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm emphasized during the launch ceremony, "Oyu Tolgoi is a world-class Mongolian mine, built by over 20,000 Mongolians. It's an amazing feat of engineering, technological advancement and safety standards – skills and knowledge that we'll continue to develop locally."
The institute aims to increase the percentage of specialized mining roles filled by Mongolian nationals from the current 70% to over 90% by 2030, creating substantial economic benefits for the country. This aligns with Mongolia's national development strategy, which emphasizes building domestic capacity in key economic sectors.
International Mining Companies
From 2026, international mining companies facing similar skills shortages will have the opportunity to send employees to the institute. This represents a valuable resource for mining operations worldwide, particularly those transitioning to underground methods or implementing block cave mining for the first time.
The program will offer specialized courses tailored to the needs of different operations, allowing companies to customize training for their specific requirements. This flexibility ensures that the institute serves not just as an educational facility but as a strategic resource for mining companies looking to enhance their capabilities in underground mining.
The Broader Mining Industry
Perhaps the most significant long-term benefit will be to the mining industry as a whole. By addressing the critical shortage of specialized mining professionals, the institute contributes to the sustainability of the entire sector.
The skills developed at the institute—particularly in advanced underground mining techniques—will be essential as the industry evolves to meet growing demand for minerals critical to the energy transition. The World Bank estimates that production of minerals like copper, lithium, and nickel will need to increase by nearly 500% by 2050 to meet clean energy needs, making this training initiative particularly timely and highlighting mining's role in the clean energy transition.
What Makes Oyu Tolgoi an Ideal Training Location?
World-Class Mining Operation
Oyu Tolgoi represents the cutting edge of underground mining technology and practices, making it an unparalleled learning environment. The mine incorporates several features that make it ideal for training purposes:
A massive block cave operation that will eventually measure 200 hectares, providing exposure to large-scale underground mining techniques
Recently commissioned ventilation Shafts 3 and 4, which incorporate advanced air handling systems essential for deep mining operations
A sophisticated conveyor to surface system currently being commissioned, demonstrating modern material handling techniques
State-of-the-art automation and remote operation capabilities that represent the future of mining
Comprehensive environmental management systems that showcase sustainable mining practices
When fully ramped up, Oyu Tolgoi will produce 500,000 tonnes of copper annually from 2028 to 2036, making it one of the world's largest copper operations. This scale provides training participants with exposure to the complexities of managing a world-class mining operation.
Political Support
The initiative has garnered strong political backing in Mongolia, reflecting its importance to the country's development strategy. Mongolian President Khürelsükh Ukhnaa made a special visit to the Oyu Tolgoi mine for the official launch of the institute, underscoring the national significance of the program.
During the ceremony, President Ukhnaa expressed his support, saying: "I express my sincere gratitude for the launch of the South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute dedicated to training globally competitive Mongolian and foreign mining professionals. This institute will help establish Mongolia as a center of mining excellence in Asia."
This high-level political support ensures the long-term stability of the program and highlights the alignment between Rio Tinto's skills development initiatives and Mongolia's national priorities.
How Does This Program Demonstrate Industry Leadership?
Addressing Industry-Wide Challenges
By taking proactive steps to address the mining skills shortage, Rio Tinto demonstrates leadership in tackling challenges that affect the entire mining sector. Rather than viewing workforce development as a purely internal issue, the company has created a resource that benefits the broader industry.
This approach recognizes that addressing skills shortages requires collaborative solutions that go beyond individual company initiatives. By opening the institute to other mining companies starting in 2026, Rio Tinto is facilitating industry-wide capacity building that will help ensure the sustainability of the mining sector as a whole.
Educational Partnership Model
The collaboration between Rio Tinto and the University of Queensland showcases an effective model for industry-academia partnerships. UQ manages the institute and develops the curriculum, bringing academic rigor and educational expertise, while Rio Tinto provides access to Oyu Tolgoi for practical training opportunities.
This partnership leverages the strengths of both organizations—UQ's educational excellence and Rio Tinto's operational expertise—to create a program that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The model could serve as a template for similar initiatives in other regions facing mining skills shortages.
Investment in Sustainable Development
The program represents a significant long-term investment in sustainable mining practices. By ensuring the availability of skilled professionals who understand modern mining techniques, safety standards, and environmental management, the institute contributes to more responsible resource development.
This focus on sustainability extends beyond environmental considerations to include social sustainability through local workforce development. The institute's emphasis on building Mongolian mining capabilities aligns with principles of sustainable development that prioritize local benefits from resource extraction.
Advanced Mining Techniques and Technologies at Oyu Tolgoi
One of the most valuable aspects of training at Oyu Tolgoi is exposure to cutting-edge mining technologies rarely seen in educational settings. The mine employs advanced block caving techniques—a highly efficient underground mass mining method that allows for large-scale ore extraction at lower costs than traditional underground methods.
Participants will gain firsthand experience with specialized equipment including semi-autonomous load-haul-dump (LHD) machines, which represent the industry's transition toward automation. The mine's extensive fiber optic network and underground Wi-Fi systems enable remote operation capabilities that are becoming increasingly important in modern mining.
The ventilation system at Oyu Tolgoi deserves special mention, as it represents one of the world's most sophisticated mine air management setups. With main fans capable of moving over 3 million cubic feet of air per minute, the system demonstrates the scale and complexity of supporting a major underground operation—knowledge that is difficult to convey in a traditional classroom setting.
The Future of Mining Education
The South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute represents a significant evolution in mining education. By integrating academic learning with immersive experience in an operational mine, the program addresses one of the fundamental challenges in mining education: bridging the gap between theory and practice.
As mining operations become increasingly complex and technologically sophisticated, this model of education—combining university expertise with industry resources—may become essential for developing the mining workforce of the future. The institute could serve as a prototype for similar collaborations in other mining regions facing skills shortages.
With its focus on developing both local and international talent, the South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute is positioned to make a substantial contribution to addressing the global mining skills shortage while establishing Mongolia as an important center for mining education in Asia. Furthermore, this initiative exemplifies how digital innovations in mining operations and proper understanding of the JORC code for informed mining investments can help the industry navigate the global critical minerals race more effectively.
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Published Date:2025-03-31
