Centre for Mineral Products

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.

Working with industry to deliver professional education

The Centre for Mineral Products represents the longstanding commitment that we have to training and development in the mineral products industry.

We are based at the Enterprise Centre in Derby, UK, where we deliver our face-to-face training sessions. These high-quality facilities enable our experienced staff to deliver effective workshops.

We work closely with the key industry bodies and organisations in the industry to develop these qualifications which ensures the content is always relevant to the needs of employers.

Developing the industry leaders of the future

These qualifications are crucial; they can form the foundations in the development of your future leaders:

Centre for Mineral Products - Educating the Future Leaders

View Centre for Mineral Products - Educating the Future Leaders video transcript

Mineral Products courses

  • BSc (Hons) Minerals Management (Top up)
  • Certificate of Credit in Ready Mixed Concrete Technology
  • Certificate of Credit in Construction Materials Technology
  • Certificate of Credit in Clay Drying and Firing
  • FdSc Asphalt and Pavement Technology
  • FdSc Cement Technology
  • FdSc Clay Technology
  • FdSc Concrete Technology
  • FdSc Mineral Extractives Technology
  • Mineral Products Technician Higher Apprenticeship
  • University Certificate in Concrete Technology
  • University Diploma in Asphalt and Pavement Studies
  • University Diploma in Cement Studies
  • University Diploma in Clay Studies
  • University Diploma in Concrete Studies
  • University Diploma in Mineral Extractives Studies
  • University Diploma in Road Surface Treatments
  • Meet the team

    Head of Centre for Mineral Products

    Originally a Mechanical/Mining Engineer with British Coal. He moved to Hanson in 1995 and graduated with a BEng in Quarry and Road Construction from the University of Leeds in 1998.

    During an exceptional career with Hanson, Mark worked in a number of operational and management roles.

    In 2005 Mark joined the IQ as their Educational Lead where his role involved close work with the team at Doncaster College delivering the Industry’s professional qualifications.

    Mark joined the University of Derby in 2007 as the Provision Leader for the Quarry and Asphalt programmes and then became the Head of the Centre for Mineral Products in 2012.

    Mark is a member of the IQ, an associate member of the IAT and, through his postgraduate qualification in learning and teaching, Mark is also a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

    Contact: m.osbaldeston@derby.ac.uk or +44(0)1332 591763

    Academic Lead for all the Centre’s Asphalt and Pavements Programmes

    Helen graduated from the University of Leeds in 2005 with first-class honours in Architectural Engineering. From there she went on to work in the Aggregate Industries asphalt research and development department, completing a number of projects and her PhD.

    Helen later worked in the field of asphalt recycling and tar remediation before joining TRL in 2012. During her time at TRL, Helen contributed to an international team and undertook work across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

    Since leaving TRL in 2015, Helen has set up her own consultancy, Driven, which allows her to remain an active part of the industry she loves, while also leading the asphalt programmes within the centre.

    Helen is a Chartered Engineer with the IAT (Institute of Asphalt Technology) via the CIHT (Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation), and council member of both the Institute of Asphalt Technology and Institute of Quarrying.

    Helen is programme leader for a number of the Centres Asphalt and Pavement and Materials modules, such as Asphalt Technology, Pavement Solutions and Construction Products Technology.

    Contact: h.bailey@derby.ac.uk or +44(0)1332 597958

    Programme Leader - Higher Apprenticeship, Mineral Products Technology

    David started his career working for British Coal, working at various collieries around the UK. In 1989 he graduated from Leeds University with a 2:1 Honours Degree in Mining Engineering. He then went on to work as a Mining Engineering Consultant for British Coal, Rock Mechanics Technology Ltd and International Mining Consultants Ltd.

    In 2001 David left the mining industry and started a new career initially as a mathematics teacher in secondary schools across the East Midlands, progressing to become an Assistant Headteacher.

    David joined the University of Derby in 2018 as the Programme Leader for the Higher Apprenticeship.

    Academic Lead for all the Centre’s Mineral Extractives Programmes

    Chris’s wide, varied and in-depth experience of the International Mineral Products sector is impressive. He has(35 years of international and multi-cultural experience, which can only add value to our increasing international market).

    Until recently, Chris was the Quarries, Asphalt and Concrete Manager for Dantata and Sawoe Construction (Nigeria). In addition, Chris has undertaken similar roles in Zambia, Qatar, UAE, Oman and the UK. Chris is a graduate of the Doncaster College of Minerals and Mining and, in addition, he studied Materials Technology at the University of Leeds.

    Chris’s role is academic Lead for Mineral Extractives and support Lecturer for a wide range of the Centres modules.

    Contact: c.rowan@derby.ac.uk or +44(0)1332 597963

    Programme Lead for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Minerals Management and the Clay Programmes

    John graduated from The University of Nottingham in 1995 with a 2:1 BEng in Mining Engineering. From there he has spent the last 25 years working at a number of different operations in the UK and South Africa both on the surface and underground.

    In addition, John has technical and practical mining, quarrying, and processing experience, in sand, coal, limestone, dimensional stone and industrial minerals.

    He is a Chartered Mining Engineer and a Fellow of IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining), a member of IQ (Institute of Quarrying) and a Chartered Environmentalist with IEMA (Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment).

    John’s joined the Centre for Mineral Products in 2019 as the programme lead for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Minerals Management and the Clay programmes.

    Contact: J.austin@derby.ac.uk or +44 (0)1332 597772

    Programme Leader for all Concrete Programmes

    With over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Dr Nizar started his career as design Civil Engineer working for Atkins Consultancy and then after 9 years he joined Tarmac, then Scott Wilson (now AECOM) as Board Technical Director and then re-joined Tarmac to Head up and lead their innovation programme. Dr Nizar was the President and Board Chairman of the Mineral Industry Research Organisation (MIRO) and he led the Board of Directors and the Council from 2008 until 2016. Dr Nizar then worked in Qatar as Leading Expert for Ashghal where he was responsible for their infrastructure projects and for implementing innovation in their construction programme.

    Throughout his career, Dr Nizar worked in pavement design, construction and evaluation, Asset Data Managements, innovation and intelligence, carbon capture and Net Zero carbon strategy development and assisted the Government Group led by Sir John Vincent Cable MP to develop the UK strategy for CCSR and Net Zero carbon.

    Dr Nizar is a self-motivated senior leader with exceptional skills in people, project and financial managements and enjoys challenging construction schemes and research and innovation that bring added value to the projects. Dr Nizar is well recognised in the UK and Europe and has established over the years an extensive network of high level and senior connections with Government Bodies, clients, specifiers, consultants, suppliers and academia.

    Contact: N.Ghazireh@derby.ac.uk

    Senior Lecturer in Mineral Products

    Nigel obtained a HND in Minerals Processing and Materials Reclamation at Doncaster College in 1986 before transferring to Leeds University Department of Mining and Minerals where he obtained a BEng in Minerals Engineering and a PhD in the Mathematical modelling of crusher circuits in 1992.

    Nigel then worked in the coal industry as a process engineer in the design and operation of modular dense medium washing plants, before transferring to industrial minerals with Omya in 1998.

    After completing an MBA in 1999, Nigel became a Plant Manager, Engineering Manager and then Head of Operations for Omya UK, finally transferring to Sustainability as Head of Quality, Safety, Health and Environment for Omya in West Europe.

    Nigel is a Chartered Engineer and a member of IQ, MIMM and AIOSH with over 30 years’ experience in differing roles within the Minerals Industry.

    He joined the C4MP in 2022 as Senior Lecturer in Mineral Products.

    Contact: n.barrett@derby.ac.uk or +44(0)7721 343257

     

    Higher Apprenticeships

    Undertaking a Higher Apprenticeship in the mineral products industry isn't for the faint-hearted. From day one, you'll be put straight to work gaining vital industry experience with your employer, really getting to grips with their business and the wider industry landscape. Whats more, you'll be earning a wage and studying higher level qualifications at the same time. Sound good?

    Why choose a Higher Apprenticeship?

    Training

    On top of all the training and development you will get from your employer, you will also study a University level qualification as well as a competency-based qualification from the Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC).

    Reward

    Not only do you get great training opportunities, you will also get paid for doing it. Working in some of the biggest companies in the UK, you will work your way up the ladder, opening up great opportunities in the future.

    Industry

    This year Aggregate Industries and Hanson UK are recruiting higher apprentices.

    Current vacancies

    Information about current vacancies and associated deadlines can be found on the following employer websites.

    Mineral products apprentice Sarah Howarth standing on Caterpillar machinery

    I have thoroughly enjoyed the Mineral Products Technician Higher Apprenticeship so far. Being site based at Westleigh Quarry has helped develop my learning by working alongside specialists in the industry.

    Sarah Howarth
    Apprentice with Aggregate Industries
    Man wearing orange high vis jacket and white hard hat talking to students on a visit to Tunstead

    Industry backing

    Hear what our industry partners and past students have to say about our courses and their relevance in the minerals industry.

    Hear from past students and industry partnersHear from past students and industry partners