As we all may be aware the mining industry has, for many decades, been and will continue, equally for many decades, to be the pillar of the Zambian economy. As a matter of fact, the mining industry has, in both the FNDP (2007-2011) and SNDP (2012-2016), been recognised as one of the key sectors on which the development of the Zambian economy is anchored. This illustrates and stresses the importance of the mining sector to Zambia but, as global experience shows, mining comes with many challenges such as its negative environmental and health impacts and finding more mineral resources in the wake of an ever increasing world population.

The School of Mines, in an effort to rise to these challenges and also in fulfilling the University of Zambia vision and mission, provides quality services in teaching, research, consultancy and short training to individuals, irrespective of race, religious inclination and political affiliation, the public, industry, government and NGOs.

The School of Mines, in response to national challenges, offers training programmes, research, and consultancy in the following areas:

• geology (or earth sciences);
• mining engineering;
• metallurgy and mineral processing; and
• integrated water resources management

Currently, the School of Mines offers degrees at undergraduate level (B.Min.Sc), postgraduate level (M.Min.Sc and PhD) and postgraduate diploma only in water resources management. The school indents, by 2012, to commence offering programmes at certificate and diploma levels in the three key disciplines (geology, mining engineering and metallurgy/mineral processing) to cater for the skills that have been recognised as important but lacking in the mining sector.

The School also offers such services as (i) chemical analyses of rocks, soils and water, (ii) petrography, (iii) geotechnical analyses, (iv) mineral processing/metallurgy, (v) GIS and Remote Sensing and (vi) gemmological testing of gemstones.

It is now my privilege and honour to welcome and invite you all to visit our school webpage or contact us directly for any programme or services that may be of interest to you or your organisation.

Osbert Sikazwe,
Dean -  School of Mines.

For Dean’s Profile Click Here