The Sustainable Processes degree programme at TU Freiberg focuses on the various stages of the mineral processing process: from the exploration of new deposits and the development of alternative energy technologies and materials to the recycling and management of resources. TU Freiberg is the only European university to operate its own underground research and teaching mine and the oldest mining university in the world. TU Freiberg is involved in interdisciplinary research projects such as in-situ bioleaching and the refinement of strategically important metals such as indium and germanium (particularly relevant as both elements were discovered at TU Freiberg). Where possible, the results of the research projects are commercialised through start-up companies, such as PARFORCE, which produces phosphoric acid from waste materials.

Master's thesis projects can come from a variety of fields, but should focus on the scientific and/or engineering aspects of materials processing. At the Chair of Mineral Processing Machines, the comminution and sorting of raw materials can be investigated. Thanks to the large number of industrial partners, students can carry out experimental investigations on full-scale industrial machines. In the Chemical Technology, Inorganic Chemistry and Biology departments, hydro- and biohydrometallurgical mineral leaching and recycling processes are developed to extract strategically important metals from primary sources or secondary raw materials such as overburden and spent batteries. Two start-up companies have emerged from this research in recent years. The treatment of aqueous process streams can be investigated in the Process Engineering department. Among other things, research focuses on the selective separation of strategically important elements from polymetallic streams using membrane techniques. Non-ferrous metallurgy is concerned with the development of electrowinning and refining processes as well as pyrometallurgical methods on a laboratory and pilot plant scale.

Through industrial cooperation, there is the opportunity to complete a Master's thesis at partner institutions such as one of the nationwide Helmholtz Centres or at companies such as Aurubis, the largest copper producer in Europe. TU Freiberg also has close links with the manufacturing industry, enabling students to produce end products such as sensors and semiconductor technologies that are relevant to the mining and recycling sector.

The Georesource Exploration degree programme offered at Uppsala University includes cutting-edge research in the fields of geophysical and mineralogical-geochemical exploration of mineral deposits. Uppsala University has expertise in mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry applied to mineralisation and ore deposits as well as mine waste with regard to critical elements. SMART Exploration, a Horizon 2020 project (https://smartexploration.eu/), focuses on innovative developments in geophysics with application to the mining industry. The researchers are developing 3D geophysical models of ore deposits and investigating the role of the physical properties of the rocks. The collaboration ensures the integration of geophysical results into the broader context of geological and mineralogical perspectives. Research into induced seismicity is aimed at the dangers of mining, while others are concerned with questions of sustainability. From an environmental perspective, researchers are involved in projects such as NITREM (https://eitrawmaterials.eu/project/nitrem/), which investigates the recovery of nitrogen from mining waste. Other researchers are involved in understanding the mineral supply chain as well as sustainable development related to mines and mining.

The master's thesis should focus on geological, geochemical or geophysical exploration, including mineralogy, critical minerals and metals. Other aspects include primary resource management (mines and exploration sites), urban mining and mineral supply, environmental aspects of mining and environmental baselines for potential mine sites, and sustainable development issues related to mining and mines

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In the Resource Recovery and Sustainable Materials programme offered at Ghent University, students focus on the application and development of resource recovery and recycling technologies and the development of more sustainable materials, e.g. by using waste as a resource or by substituting less sustainable material components so that natural resources are not depleted or permanently damaged. The focus is mainly on metals and mineral resources, although technologies for water reuse, plastics recycling and carbon capture and utilisation may also fall within the scope, especially if new technologies developed in these areas can help to make the value chain of raw materials more sustainable. Accordingly, the sustainability of new materials and technologies is also assessed using life cycle assessment tools, for example.

The Master's thesis should focus on one of these topics. The compulsory course in this programme provides students with insights into the sustainable management of resources in the circular economy (including e.g. industrial symbiosis), while a first list of electives includes courses on waste (water) treatment, sustainable materials (e.g. composites), waste management, resource recovery and recycling technologies. A second list of electives provides students with a wide range of tools that can help in the development of these new technologies and materials (e.g. extraction and separation technologies, control and process engineering, life cycle and environmental impact assessment).

The Circular societies degree programme offered at the University of Ghent focuses on the redesign of the value chain, the development of sustainable processes, systems and new business models for the development of a circular society. To this end, data on material flows within society, for example, is collected, analysed and processed, and the sustainability of these new processes and systems is evaluated. The avoidance of waste generation is aimed for and waste generated is researched as potential new resources. These activities create a symbiosis between different stakeholders and players in the value chain. Particular attention is paid to managing social changes that are in line with the goals of sustainable development. The City of Ghent serves as a central case study in this degree programme.

The Master's thesis is designed to fit into this framework. The compulsory courses focus on the sustainable management of resources in the circular economy (including, for example, industrial symbiosis) and the design of sustainable circular cities (summer school). Electives focus on sustainable development, sustainable waste and water management and the organisation of circular societies, including transport and logistics, sustainable mobility and sustainable energy production. The latter are not only essential for the development towards a sustainable society, but also increase the demand for critical metals and raw materials in society.

The Sustainable Entrepreneurship programme at Uppsala University offers teaching and training to become an entrepreneur and to understand the nature of sustainable business development in general as well as in established companies. Teaching is organised in the form of joint courses with students from the international Master's degree programme Sustainable Destination Development, which offers numerous opportunities for learning synergies. The Sustainable Entrepreneurship specialisation comprises two courses, the first of which deals with models for sustainable entrepreneurship, which are critically examined by the students from a sustainability perspective. The second course focuses on the application of these models in real business situations and offers the opportunity to specialise in different aspects of sustainable business development. Students work in groups with assignments designed to illustrate important and critical sustainability challenges in the extractive industry. Company visits and several guest lectures from industry and academia characterise the teaching as well as individual assignments and mentoring.

The Master's thesis can either focus on the start-up of a company in the extractive industry and cover the aspects of market research, co-creation and financing when founding a new company, or make a contribution to sustainable technology and business development in an established company. Every autumn, interested companies or research groups from partner universities are invited to submit project proposals to students on the Sustainable Entrepreneurship course. The students then choose between these alternatives for their final thesis.