Mongolia is now training its own world-class mining geotechnical engineers, a field it previously had to import at high cost.

🎓 Third Cohort Graduates

Launched in 2021, the Mining Geotechnics program at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST) was developed in partnership with Rio Tinto and Oyu Tolgoi to address a long-standing shortage of specialized engineers in the country’s mining sector.

• 🎉🎈 Yesterday, the program celebrated another milestone when 14 new graduates received their bachelor’s degrees, bringing the total number of alumni to 54 since the first cohort completed their studies in 2024.

🔍 Closing a Long-Standing Gap

Before 2021, Mongolia had no dedicated undergraduate program in mining geotechnics. Major projects, including Oyu Tolgoi’s complex underground operations, relied heavily on expatriate specialists, driving up costs and limiting local knowledge of Mongolia-specific geological conditions. Currently, around 90 students are enrolled in the mining geotechnics program at MUST, a modest but steadily growing number.

• 💰 Partnership and Labs: Rio Tinto invested $2.4 million to establish a computer modeling laboratory at MUST, while Oyu Tolgoi added $366,000 for a rock mechanics lab. These facilities enable students to train with industry software on local rock formations rather than generic models.

• 📈 Early Results and Growth: More than 80% of the first graduates are now working at Oyu Tolgoi. Current enrollment stands at about 90 students, with a new master’s program already attracting 18 students. The initiative supports Mongolia’s push for safer operations and reduced dependence on foreign technical staff in its key economic sector.

Finally… The program positions graduates for roles at Oyu Tolgoi and potentially across Rio Tinto’s global operations, strengthening long-term human capital in Mongolia’s mining industry.