BACKGROUND
The Master’s degree in Mineral Resource Management (MRM) originated in 2001 and was developed in co-operation with the Mining industry. The MRM Master of Science Degree is presented by the Geology Department in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science at the University of the Free State and accredited by the Council for Higher Education. It is two-year part time fully online NQF 9 qualification.  

INTRODUCTION TO MRM
The concept of the MRM approach illustrates the complexity of an organization as a whole process by identifying and understanding the impact of production variables. This approach also necessitates that the inter-dependency between variables and processes in the value chain are considered, as every process in the value chain has an inherent variability and inter-dependency. MRM is based on improving throughput by focusing on the constraint and the flow of material in the holistic system. 

AIM 
The MRM principles enable students to optimise ore-utilization, product delivery and thus understand and optimise the profitability of the mining company. The purpose of the post graduate programme is to equip students with the:

• Ability to identify the dependencies, interdependencies and variability that impact flow performance
• Ability to use the TOC thinking logic processes
• Exposing learners to the theory, case studies and discussions of the detail complexity of mining and other related disciplines that impact the mining value chain.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission requirements include:

• Any 4-year technical or scientific degree, or post graduate diploma, equivalent to NQF (National Qualifications Framework) level 8
• At minimum of 2 years relevant mining experience.
• Recognition of Prior learning (RPL) is considered through the RPL office provided applicable mining industry related experience is enough.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

• Part-time, taught, master’s programme consisting of 12 modules and a research essay.
• The programme is a fully online course allowing for more frequent contact sessions with students.The virtual classes are compulsory to attend as the programme does not make use of pre-recorded content.
• Students enroll for 3 modules per semester.In the second year of study, students also complete their extended dissertation on a topic approved in consultation with the department. 

MODULES OFFERED IN THE PROGRAMME INCLUDE:

1. Overview of business processes
2. Mineral Resource Management I Methodology
3. Applied Geology
4. Applied Mining
5. Applied Metallurgy
6. MRM Implementation Practices
7. MRM Information Practices
8. MRM Organizational Change Practices
9. Virtual Mining Simulation and Optimisation
10. Mineral Resource Management II Advanced
11. Geological Modelling and Applied Geo-statistics
12. Mining Throughput Accounting and Modelling
13. Mineral Resource Management Risk Practices
14. Modern Mining Supply Chain Principles
15. MRM Research mini-dissertational offered:

More information
MRM Introduction Pack

How to apply
Should you be interested in enrolling for this programme, please contact:
Charlene van der Vyver
T: +27 51 401 2393
E: vandervyverc@ufs.ac.za