Rio Tinto establishes South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute at Oyu Tolgoi
Diversified miner Rio Tinto has officially launched the South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute (SGUMMI) at its Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, in collaboration with the University of Queensland.
The launch was marked by a visit from Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, underscoring the institute’s significance in advancing mining education and workforce development.
The SGUMMI aims to address the growing skills gap in the mining industry by offering a comprehensive training programme for local and international mining professionals. Declining enrollment in mining engineering programs in recent years has led to a shortage of skilled professionals, a challenge that the new institute seeks to mitigate.
"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 with the establishment of the South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute," commented Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm.
The inaugural cohort consists of 28 participants from various organisations, using Oyu Tolgoi as a hands-on training hub. The University of Queensland will oversee the institute’s management, curriculum development, and training delivery. The curriculum will focus on underground mining, geotechnics, and mining engineering, addressing industry-specific needs and skill deficiencies with contributions from leading mining academics and experts.
Starting in 2026, the Institute will be open to local and international mining companies for training. By the third year, the Institute aims to have accreditation from a globally recognised mining university.
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