Mineral Products Student Awards launched thanks to legacy donation

Former members of The Minerals Engineering Society (MES) and staff and students from the University of Derby came together for the inaugural Centre for Mineral Products Student Awards and Presentation, an event made possible following a legacy donation to the University from the MES.

The University’s Head of Mineral Products, Mark Osbaldeston, hosted the event which has been created to recognise student achievement and bring together students, employers and other interested parties from the minerals and associated industries.

In addition to the Student Awards, which were held at the University’s Enterprise Centre, guests were treated to student presentations and a panel discussion and Q&A on topics including mental health in the Minerals sector.

Commenting on the event and the legacy donation, Mark Osbaldeston said:

“We are delighted to receive this generous legacy from the MES which will enable us to recognise the outstanding achievement of our students within the Centre for Mineral Products, as well as create a student fund to provide further financial support where necessary.

“Through this legacy the MES can continue to support the education of the future minerals products workforce which is a fitting tribute to such a renowned organisation.”

The legacy will be exclusively used for the purpose of annual ‘Minerals Engineering Society Outstanding Achievement Awards’ which will be presented, as a cash prize, along with an engraved medal, to a student who is recognised as attaining outstanding achievement in their studies, as well as passion and commitment to the industry. The winner of each year will also be acknowledged on a specially designed trophy.

Former Trustees of the MES who were present at the event were delighted that their confidence in awarding this Legacy to the University of Derby (Centre for Minerals Products) was well placed. They felt sure the Legacy was in good hands and would help to ensure that the Minerals Engineering Society would continue to contribute to supporting the education of mineral industry students long into the future.

The Minerals Engineering Society, which formed in 1958, was a charitable company with its members contributing to the global development of minerals engineering and allied sciences until its closure in 2020 due to the demise of the coal mining industry within the UK. The Centre for Mineral Products represents the longstanding commitment to training and development in the mineral products industry.

Based at the Enterprise Centre in Derby, the Centre for Mineral Products delivers industry standard and globally recognised qualifications to the mineral products sector. In partnership with the industry's professional bodies the Centre and its qualifications have been developed to ensure they represent the training needs of the industry.