Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria’s leading university for mining, metallurgy, and materials science, has been at the forefront of resource-focused research and education for over 180 years.

Founded in 1840 in Vordernberg as the “Steiermärkisch-Ständische Montanlehranstalt” under the patronage of Archduke Johann of Austria, the institution began its journey under the leadership of metallurgist Peter Tunner. In 1849, it relocated to Leoben, where it gradually evolved into a cornerstone of Austria’s academic landscape. By 1904, the school gained university status as the “Montanistische Hochschule,” granting it the authority to award doctoral degrees and expanding its scientific and research influence.

Throughout the 20th century, Montanuniversität Leoben expanded its academic offerings beyond traditional mining and metallurgy to include fields such as materials science, petroleum engineering, and environmental technology. The 1975 University Organisation Act marked another milestone, officially renaming it Montanuniversität Leoben and solidifying its role within Austria’s higher education system.

Significant investments in infrastructure and innovation followed in the early 2000s, including the establishment of the Raw Materials Center (2006) and the Impulse Centre for Materials (2007). By the 2012/13 academic year, student enrolment had surpassed 3,000, reflecting its growing global reputation.

Today, Montanuniversität Leoben is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for sustainable raw materials research. Its work spans the entire value chain—from extraction to recycling—with a strong focus on green technologies and circular design. As a proud member of TU Austria, the university plays a critical role in collaborative innovation at the European level.

Within the EU-funded ReSoURCE project, the Chair of Mineral Processing and the Chair of Waste Processing Technology and Waste Management are responsible for developing a comprehensive waste management concept. This includes the chemical and mineralogical characterisation of refractory waste materials, as well as the evaluation of feedstock properties to optimise pre-processing steps for automated sorting. Identifying the most suitable comminution technologies is also a key focus, serving as a foundation for efficient material separation and high-quality recycling outcomes.

The Chair of Mineral Processing at Montanuniversität Leoben focuses on the efficient recovery, separation, and processing of primary and secondary raw materials. Research and teaching emphasize mechanical, physical, and physico-chemical processing methods, particularly for metallic ores, industrial minerals, and recycling materials. Key areas include process and plant engineering, processing characterization, comminution, classification, flotation, magnetic separation, and electrostatic sorting. The chair develops sustainable and resource-efficient technologies along the entire value chain – from the deposit to a marketable product. In addition to laboratory and pilot-scale experiments, numerical simulation methods such as DEM and CFD can also be employed. Collaborations with industrial partners enable practice-oriented research and technology transfer. The aim is to develop viable solutions for environmentally responsible raw material processing and to support the transition to a circular economy.

The Chair of Waste Processing Technology and Waste Management at Montanuniversität Leoben is dedicated to sustainable resource utilisation, the development of innovative recycling technologies and environmental protection. Research priorities include the circular economy, recovery of valuable materials from waste, and the optimisation of waste management systems. The aim is to create ecological and economic solutions for global waste challenges. Through interdisciplinary approaches and close collaboration with industry partners, the chair contributes to a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly future. The chair can be further divided into four specialized working groups, each focusing on distinct topics: Methods and Environmental Analytics, Waste Processing Technology, Future Waste & Waste Management, and Environmental Remediation & Mineral Waste. For instance, the ReSoURCE project, which deals with the mineral composition of refractory materials, is part of the latter. Each group is engaged in national and international projects, providing students with hands-on education and access to cutting-edge research opportunities.

By combining a rich academic heritage with state-of-the-art research, Montanuniversität Leoben continues to lead efforts toward a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.