Minerals Engineering, ranked as a national-grade characteristic major, is one of the most prestigious majors at Kunming University of Science and Technology. They are broadly based programs covering subject areas ranging from extraction of non-ferrous and ferrous metallic minerals to utilization of coal or other non-metallic materials. The department of Minerals Engineering offers full-scale, industrial-oriented programs emphasized on technologies and theories of energy-saving comminution, high-efficient extraction of complicated polymetallic ores or precious metallic ores, and comprehensive recoveries of iron ores as well. This department is well-equipped with a national research lab of clean utilization of complex non-ferrous ore, a research center focused on high-efficient use of minerals resource in the western area of China, a pilot technological base collaborated with international universities/organizations, and an engineering research center for tailing management. A sound lab with an area of 4400 m²facilitates a variety of tests related to comminution, flotation, magnetic separation, gravity concentration, and chemical separation. The capacity for this lab as a pilot plant can reach 0.2-2 t/d. The 36 multi-functional labs furnished with TOF-SIMS, SECM, and other sophisticated instruments serve for all purposes researches of faculty and students. It is worthy to be noticed that there is a chance for students to simulate and design whole plant processes through using a tool of MODSIM software. More than 1500 routine lab machines, 36 different functional labs, and 20 sophisticated instruments, such as TOF-SIMS, SECM, fully facilitate a variety of researches in mining industry.

Our research in the past decade focuses on technologies and theories of energy-saving comminution, high-efficient extraction of complicated polymetallic ores or precious metallic ores, and comprehensive recovery of iron ores. What we have harvested from those researches includes innovative theories and technologies on calculation of grinding medium consuming, classifier using declining plate, centrifugal-magnetic separator, vibrating cone concentrator, and others. Two projects were awarded as second prize of State Progress Award of China, and State Technological Invent Award. More than 100 inventions have been authorized, and about 20 books and 100 papers in journal cited by SCI have been published. Those researches not only benefit student teaching through rising up our faculty academic level, but also enhance student practices related to mining industries.