Mining Engineering project ideas

100 projects, from a first build to a final-year capstone. Each lists the skills it teaches and the tools it needs; times and costs are estimates.

Beginner projects

• Mineral Identification Guide — Identify minerals by hardness, streak, lustre and cleavage with a guided key. Skills: mineral properties, identification. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ore Tonnage and Grade Calculator — Compute tonnage, contained metal and value from volume, density and grade. Skills: tonnage, grade, value. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Blasting Pattern Sketcher — Draw burden and spacing patterns and compute explosive per tonne. Skills: blast design, powder factor. Tools: web app. CAD / design, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Haul Truck Cycle Time Study — Break a haul cycle into load, haul, dump and return and compute trucks needed. Skills: cycle times, fleet sizing. Tools: spreadsheet. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Rock Strength Point Load Test — Estimate rock strength from point-load tests on samples. Skills: rock strength, testing. Tools: point-load tester data. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Ventilation Airflow Calculator — Compute airflow needed for diesel equipment and workers. Skills: ventilation requirements, visual explanation. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Open Pit Bench Geometry Model — Model bench height, width and overall slope angle. Skills: pit geometry, slopes. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Gold Panning Recovery Experiment — Test gravity recovery of heavy particles in a pan. Skills: gravity separation, prototyping. Tools: pan, sand, heavy particles. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Mining Safety Hazard Quiz — Learn common hazards like ground falls, dust and gas. Skills: mine safety awareness, visual explanation. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Crushing Size Reduction Demo — Crush rock samples and plot size before and after. Skills: comminution, size distribution. Tools: sieves, samples. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Geological Map Reader — Read strike, dip and contacts from geological maps. Skills: geological mapping, visual explanation. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Dust Sampling Plan — Plan personal dust sampling for a workshop. Skills: exposure sampling, process documentation. Tools: template. Workflow, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Drill Hole Log Plotter — Plot lithology and assays down a drill hole. Skills: drill logs, plotting. Tools: Python. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Water Inflow Estimator — Estimate pit inflow from rainfall and catchment. Skills: water management, runoff. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Conveyor Belt Capacity Calculator — Compute conveyor capacity from speed, width and loading. Skills: conveyor design basics, visual explanation. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Rock Cycle and Ore Formation Explainer — Show how ore deposits form in different geological settings. Skills: economic geology, visual explanation. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Rehabilitation Plant Trial — Test plant growth on mine soil with amendments. Skills: rehabilitation, soils. Tools: pots, soil. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Explosive Safety Distance Calculator — Estimate safe distances from blast size (education only). Skills: blast safety, distances. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Magnetic Separation Demo — Separate magnetic minerals from sand with magnets. Skills: magnetic separation, prototyping. Tools: magnets, sand. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Mine Map Coordinate Converter — Convert between mine grid and real-world coordinates. Skills: coordinate systems, visual explanation. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Equipment Maintenance Log — Log equipment hours, faults and repairs. Skills: maintenance records, process documentation. Tools: spreadsheet. Workflow, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Froth Flotation Kitchen Demo — Separate particles with bubbles and detergent to show flotation. Skills: flotation principles, prototyping. Tools: jar, detergent. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Mine Noise Exposure Calculator — Compute daily noise dose from equipment exposure times. Skills: noise dose, exposure. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Rock Slope Angle Measurement — Measure slope angles with a clinometer app and compare designs. Skills: slope measurement, data analysis. Tools: phone clinometer. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Mineral Commodity Price Tracker — Track metal prices and estimate revenue sensitivity. Skills: commodity markets, KPI design. Tools: spreadsheet. Dashboard, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).

Intermediate projects

• Mine Ventilation Network Solver — Solve airflow distribution in a ventilation network with Hardy Cross. Skills: ventilation networks, Hardy Cross. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Slope Stability Monitoring Dashboard — Trend prism and radar displacement data and alert on acceleration. Skills: slope monitoring, alerts. Tools: dashboard. Dashboard, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Drill-and-Blast Fragmentation Estimator — Predict fragmentation with Kuz-Ram and compare with photo analysis. Skills: fragmentation, Kuz-Ram. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Fleet Dispatch Optimizer — Assign trucks to shovels to cut queueing and idle time. Skills: dispatch, optimisation. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ore Grade Control Map — Interpolate blast-hole assays into ore/waste polygons. Skills: grade control, interpolation. Tools: Python, GIS. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Dust Exposure Sensor Network — Monitor dust at work areas with sensors and alerts. Skills: dust monitoring, sensors. Tools: sensors, dashboard. Dashboard, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Tailings Dam Alert Dashboard — Monitor piezometers and pond levels with alarm thresholds. Skills: tailings monitoring, KPI design. Tools: dashboard. Dashboard, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Mineral Processing Mass Balance — Balance assays and flows around a processing circuit. Skills: mass balance, recoveries. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Haul Road Maintenance Planner — Plan grading and watering from road condition data. Skills: road maintenance, planning. Tools: spreadsheet. Workflow, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Rockfall Hazard Classifier — Classify rockfall hazard zones from slope and joint data. Skills: rockfall hazard, classification. Tools: Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Water Balance Model — Model site water inputs, uses and storage. Skills: water balance, modelling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Equipment Predictive Maintenance — Predict component failures from equipment sensor data. Skills: predictive maintenance, data analysis. Tools: Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Energy Intensity Tracker — Track energy per tonne across operations. Skills: energy KPIs, KPI design. Tools: dashboard. Dashboard, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Geological Core Logging App — Log core intervals with photos and structured codes. Skills: core logging, data capture. Tools: mobile app. Workflow, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Rock Mass Rating Calculator — Compute RMR and Q values from field data. Skills: rock mass classification, visual explanation. Tools: web app. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Underground Stope Design — Size stopes with stability graph methods. Skills: stope design, stability graphs. Tools: Python. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Grinding Circuit Model — Model ball mill power and product size with Bond's law. Skills: comminution, Bond work index. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Survey Volume Calculator — Compute stockpile volumes from survey points. Skills: volume calculation, surveying. Tools: Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Blast Vibration Prediction — Predict PPV from charge weight and distance. Skills: blast vibration, scaled distance. Tools: Python. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Scheduling With Gantt — Schedule development headings and stopes. Skills: mine scheduling, process documentation. Tools: project tool. Workflow, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Heap Leach Recovery Model — Model metal recovery over time in a heap leach. Skills: leaching kinetics, numerical modelling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Rescue Equipment Check — Track rescue equipment checks and expiry. Skills: emergency preparedness, process documentation. Tools: database app. Workflow, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ore Sorting Sensor Comparison — Compare XRT, laser and colour sorting for an ore. Skills: sensor-based sorting, KPI design. Tools: spreadsheet. Dashboard, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Closure Cost Estimator — Estimate closure and rehabilitation costs by site domain with a contingency range. Skills: closure costing, KPI design. Tools: spreadsheet. Dashboard, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Diesel Particulate Exposure Model — Estimate DPM exposure underground from fleet data. Skills: DPM, ventilation. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).

Advanced projects

• Underground Worker Localization — Locate workers underground with beacons and show them on a mine map. Skills: indoor positioning, safety. Tools: BLE beacons, dashboard. Dashboard, 45–100 h, $30–150.
• Ore Sorting Vision Prototype — Sort ore particles by colour features with a camera and air jets. Skills: computer vision, sorting. Tools: camera, Python. Hardware build, 45–100 h, $150+.
• Pit Optimization Visualizer — Find optimal pit shells with Lerchs-Grossmann on a block model. Skills: pit optimisation, block models. Tools: Python. Visualizer, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ventilation-on-Demand Controller — Adjust fans by vehicle and worker locations to save energy. Skills: VOD control, energy. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Autonomous Haulage Simulation — Simulate autonomous trucks and test traffic rules. Skills: autonomous haulage, numerical modelling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Blast Vibration Monitor — Record blast vibrations and compare with limits. Skills: vibration monitoring, data analysis. Tools: geophone, logger. Data lab, 45–100 h, $30–150.
• Critical Mineral Recovery Planner — Assess recovering critical minerals from tailings. Skills: critical minerals, processing. Tools: spreadsheet. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ground Support Design Assistant — Select bolts and mesh for rock mass conditions. Skills: ground support design, process documentation. Tools: Python. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Block Model Resource Estimation — Estimate grades with kriging and report resources. Skills: resource estimation, kriging. Tools: Python. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Shovel-Truck Productivity Simulation — Simulate shovel-truck systems for productivity. Skills: DES, productivity. Tools: SimPy. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Fire Smoke Spread Model — Model smoke spread in tunnels for escape planning. Skills: fire modelling, ventilation. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Tailings Dewatering Options Study — Compare thickening, filtration and paste options. Skills: tailings management, KPI design. Tools: spreadsheet. Dashboard, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Drone Mapping for Stockpiles — Use drone photogrammetry to measure stockpiles. Skills: photogrammetry, volumes. Tools: drone, WebODM. Data lab, 45–100 h, $30–150.
• Flotation Circuit Optimiser — Optimise reagent dosing for recovery and grade. Skills: flotation optimisation, numerical modelling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Electrical Power Distribution Study — Design power distribution for an underground mine. Skills: power distribution, mining. Tools: spreadsheet. CAD / design, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Rock Burst Risk Assessment — Assess rock burst risk from seismic monitoring. Skills: seismic monitoring, risk. Tools: Python. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Dewatering Pump Scheduler — Schedule pumps to off-peak power while controlling levels. Skills: pump scheduling, numerical modelling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Gas Monitoring in Coal Mines — Monitor methane and CO with alarms and trends. Skills: gas monitoring, KPI design. Tools: sensors, dashboard. Dashboard, 45–100 h, $30–150.
• Mineral Liberation Analysis — Interpret liberation data to choose grind size. Skills: liberation, mineralogy. Tools: Python. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine-to-Mill Optimisation — Link blasting fragmentation to mill throughput. Skills: mine-to-mill, numerical modelling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Haul Road Design Checker — Check gradients, widths and curves of haul roads. Skills: road design, safety. Tools: Python. Visualizer, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Underground Communication Network — Design a leaky feeder or mesh network for a mine. Skills: communications design, technical drawing. Tools: planning tool. CAD / design, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mining Equipment Electrification Study — Assess battery-electric equipment for a mine. Skills: electrification, fleet. Tools: spreadsheet. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Waste Dump Stability Analysis — Analyse waste dump slopes for factor of safety under dry and saturated conditions. Skills: dump design, stability. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Plan Economic Evaluator — Compute NPV of a mine plan with sensitivity. Skills: mine economics, NPV. Tools: spreadsheet. Dashboard, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).

Expert projects

• Mine Closure Land-Use Model — Plan post-mining land use and rehabilitation outcomes. Skills: closure planning, land use. Tools: GIS. Visualizer, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Digital Twin of an Underground Panel — Mirror ventilation, equipment and ground conditions of a panel. Skills: digital twins, mining. Tools: Python. Digital twin, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Mine Rescue Route Simulator — Simulate escape and rescue routes under smoke and blockages. Skills: rescue planning, simulation. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Autonomous Drilling Pattern Optimizer — Optimise drill patterns from geology with ML. Skills: ML optimisation, drilling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• In-Pit Crushing and Conveying Study — Compare IPCC with truck haulage for cost and emissions. Skills: IPCC, trade studies. Tools: spreadsheet. Dashboard, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Tailings Reprocessing Economics — Assess value from reprocessing old tailings. Skills: reprocessing, techno-economics. Tools: spreadsheet. Dashboard, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Deep Mine Cooling System Design — Design refrigeration and cooling for hot deep mines. Skills: mine cooling, heat loads. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Seismic Event Location Underground — Locate microseismic events from sensor arrival times. Skills: microseismic location, data analysis. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Sustainable Mining Scorecard — Score operations on environmental and social indicators. Skills: ESG metrics, KPI design. Tools: dashboard. Dashboard, 100 h+, $150+.
• Robotic Mine Inspection Concept — Plan robots for inspecting unsafe underground areas. Skills: robotics, inspection. Tools: simulation. Simulator, 100 h+, $150+.
• Hydrogen-Powered Haul Truck Study — Model a hydrogen fuel cell haul truck's duty cycle. Skills: hydrogen, mining fleet. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Machine Learning Ore Grade Prediction — Predict grade from drill and sensor data. Skills: ML, geology. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Space Mining Resource Concept — Estimate extraction of water ice on the Moon. Skills: space resources, processing. Tools: spreadsheet. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Acid Mine Drainage Prediction — Predict AMD from waste rock geochemistry. Skills: geochemistry, AMD. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Integrated Mine Planning Optimisation — Optimise extraction sequence and processing together. Skills: strategic planning, MILP. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Real-Time Ore Tracking — Track ore parcels from the mining face to the plant with grade and tonnage tags. Skills: traceability, sensors. Tools: database, sensors. Workflow, 100 h+, $150+.
• Mine Emissions Abatement Curve — Rank decarbonisation options by cost per tonne CO2. Skills: MACC, decarbonisation. Tools: spreadsheet. Dashboard, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Paste Backfill Strength Model — Predict backfill strength from mix and curing. Skills: backfill, materials. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Satellite InSAR Ground Movement Study — Detect subsidence around mines with InSAR. Skills: InSAR, deformation. Tools: Python, satellite data. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Smart Mine Communication Twin — Simulate network coverage and latency underground. Skills: network simulation, system modelling. Tools: Python. Digital twin, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Community Impact Assessment Tool — Assess social impacts of a mine on nearby communities. Skills: social impact assessment, process documentation. Tools: framework. Workflow, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Bioleaching Process Study — Model bacteria-assisted metal extraction. Skills: bioleaching, kinetics. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Autonomous Loader Bucket Filling — Optimise loader bucket filling with sensor feedback. Skills: automation, control. Tools: simulation. Simulator, 100 h+, $150+.
• Mineral Supply Chain Traceability — Trace critical minerals from mine to product. Skills: traceability, supply chains. Tools: database. Workflow, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Underground Gas Drainage Design — Design methane drainage boreholes to reduce gas risk. Skills: gas drainage, design. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).

Project ideas for every branch · Mining Engineering roadmap