Celebrating 10 successful years of the Honours Degree in Mineral Products Management

Developing the skills and competence of the mineral sectors workforce is key to ensuring that the industry continues to innovate, finding solutions to the multi-faceted challenges around sustainability. For 10 years The Centre for Mineral Products (C4MP) at the University of Derby has been delivering industry relevant qualifications that have become the benchmark for aspiring professionals in providing the valuable underpinning knowledge that supports their career.  

The Centre for Mineral Products delivers a range of programmes covering different pathways within the mineral products sector. These are created in conjunction with its industry partners: The Institute of Asphalt Technology, The Concrete Society, The Heavy Clay Technology Association, The Road Surfacing Treatments Association and The Institute of Quarrying. 

Students are distance learners working full time in the minerals products industry. Generally, graduates from five foundation degrees and a higher apprenticeship feed into the two-year BSc Honours in Mineral Products Management. This programme is delivered in partnership with The Institute of Quarrying and is considered to be the pinnacle of the students studies within the Centre.  

The honours students study five modules, including a double credit work-based project. Project topics are chosen by the students and their employers, with guidance from the C4MP team. Projects could focus on a specific area on site or perhaps there might be a wider scope regionally or nationally. 

For students undertaking the honours programme, it brings many personal and professional development opportunities to set them up for their future career. For employers and the wider minerals products sector the work-based projects deliver new insights, often directly delivering an immediate financial benefit for the organisation.

Throughout April, discover the innovative projects driving change in the mineral products industry, led by recent graduates of the BSc (Hons) in Mineral Products Management:

• Eliminating Deleterious Materials from Quarries by James Forrester TMIQ
  
  
• Optimising Blast Performance with Electronic Detonators by Robin Gillespie FIQ 
  
  
• Advancing Green Concrete for a Circular Economy by Danielle Dawson
  
  
• Increasing Crusher Productivity and Minimising Wastage by Ben Campbell TMIQ

These cutting-edge projects highlight the next generation of industry leaders, applying their skills to deliver practical, sustainable, and financially beneficial solutions.

For further details on any of the projects or the honours programme covered within this article please contact j.austin@derby.ac.uk