The teachings of Mining Engineering were implemented in Spain by Royal Order of July 14, 1777, under Charles III, ten years after the first Academy of Mining, in Freiberg (Saxony). With the participation of valuable national and foreign specialists, the Mining Academy was created in Almadén.
It is in this century of the Encyclopedia when the incorporation of science to empirical and experimental technologies begins. Mathematical knowledge is necessary in mining operations and knowledge of minerals begins from their chemical composition and crystallographic structures. The first chair was on Underground Geometry and Mineralogy, taught by Mr. Enrique Cristóbal Storr. D. Fausto and D. Juan José de Elhúyar discovered tungsten, the first of them founding the Royal Mining Seminar of Mexico. Another professor at the Seminary, Mr. Andrés Manuel del Río, managed to isolate vanadium for the first time.
In 1799, Physics and Chemistry joined the Curriculum and Proust began teaching Geognosy at the School of Mines. At the end of the century, Schools in America are multiplying, under Spanish direction. In the last years of the century, Humboldt's geological travels through Spanish America simultaneously opened the teachings of Geology in the Schools of Spain and America.
Since 1827, with the antecedent of the “patio method” and Alonso Barba's studies on the amalgamation of silver, this metallurgy has become essential and its study is continued in Almadén as well as in Mexico and Peru. But now, unlike the time of Alchemy, Metallurgy is supported by Chemistry.
Until the mid-19th century, teaching was, in a certain way, a conglomeration of empirical, scientific and experimental knowledge. The Public Instruction Law of 1857, which created the title of Engineer, is also the starting point of a didactic concept that is reflected in the organization of studies. The first study plan consists of three courses initially, and five only two years later.
The structure of this study plan includes basic sciences (Mathematics, Mechanics, Chemistry, Descriptive Geometry) in the first two years; applied sciences (Mineralogy, Analytical Chemistry, Construction, Paleontology, Geology, Metallurgy and Machines) in the next two, and specialties (Mining, Special Metallurgy, Geodesy, Law and Mining Legislation) in the last. Essentially, this plan has been preserved in all technical careers to this day.
At the end of the 19th century, Electrotechnics was the most advanced technique that joined industrial development. In 1890 it was incorporated into the curriculum and between 1891 and 1913, Professor José María de Madariaga placed this chair in the highest place in Spanish applied science. In 1896, the building was inaugurated, specially designed by the architect Velázquez Bosco, which is currently the headquarters of the School.
Although non-ferrous metallurgy had been an important teaching subject since ancient times, it was not until shortly after the beginning of steel production in Asturias (1901) that Iron and Steel was incorporated into the curriculum (1910). In the second decade of this century, new research elements were incorporated: microscopic techniques, Petrography and Mineral Micrography.
Although only subjects that constitute the industrial transformation of natural resources, a specific mission of Mining Engineers, are highlighted, students logically must be instructed in all the fundamentals of Applied Science, such as Ore Concentration, Generators and Motors or Resistance of Materials.
In 1928 new guidelines appeared in the studies: the subject of Liquid Fuels, only two months after thinking about a national refining industry; Hydrogeology, about which, in 1926, a communication was sent to the Government stating that "the majority of Spanish geologists come from this School, to whom we owe a large part the enlightenment of the waters, which they have turned into fertile large extensions of our soil..."; Geophysical Investigation of Natural Resources, Work Organization techniques, etc.
After eventful years, in 1942, before the sad popularity of the atomic bomb, studies on radioactivity and very shortly after (1946) those on Nuclear Energy, began to be studied at the School, as a basis for energy development for peaceful use.
In 1974, with the extension to 6 years of the 1964 plan, the subjects of Numerical Calculus and Computer Science, Automatics and Remote Sensing were incorporated, which represents a forecast of a future in which a large part of human effort would be replaced by use of computers and scientific techniques of direct application.
In 1983, a new Curriculum was implemented based on the primacy of training over information and seeking permanent coordination of teaching, through the analysis of career objectives.
In 1996, a new Curriculum was launched, following the general guidelines of core subjects for all mining engineers and seeking optionality in the curricular design so that the student could adapt it to the increasingly changing world. Environmental protection, new information technologies, management techniques and cultural and language training are subjects addressed by this new plan.
In 2000, the degree of Geological Engineer was established at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, which is attached to the School of Mines. In September 2002, the three-course degree of Technical Mining Engineer, specializing in Energy Resources, Fuels and Explosives, began to be taught at this School, and in 2004 the second cycle of Graduate in Energy Engineering as a degree of the School began. UPM and shared with the ETSI Industriales of Madrid. Furthermore, since February 1, 2005, the process for the construction of the Getafe Technology Center was launched, which was completed in 2010. In this way, our School diversified its offer and adapted it to the demands of the knowledge society. .
The previous steps served as a basis to prepare for the great change brought about by the implementation of the new European Higher Education Area (EHEA), known colloquially as the “Bologna Plan”, implemented progressively starting in 2010. In the case of our School, They launched four Degree Degrees, which were the Degree in Engineering in Mining Technology, with two itineraries in “Mining Exploitation” and “Metallurgy and Mineralurgy”, the Degree in Geological Engineering, the Degree in Engineering in Energy Resources, Fuels and Explosives and the Degree in Energy Engineering, also with two itineraries, one in “Energy Management and Use” and another in “Energy Technologies”, the latter taught at the ETSI Industriales. The first three grant professional attributions of Technical Mining Engineer in their respective specialties. Likewise, the University Master's Degree in Mining Engineering, qualifying for the profession of Mining Engineer, the University Master's Degree in Research, Modeling and Risk Analysis in the Environment (later transformed into the University Master's Degree in Soil and Groundwater Pollution) were incorporated. ), the University Master's Degree in Sustainable Mining, the University Master's Degree in Geological Engineering, the Inter-Center University Master's Degree in Energy Efficiency in Building, Industry and Transport and the Inter-University Master's Degree in Disaster Management, as well as the Master's Degree in Petroleum Engineering. and Gas. All of this, together with the Center's Doctorate program, makes up a powerful academic offer that takes the School to its all-time high in number of students.
In 2013, the extension of the name of the Center was approved, which was renamed the Higher Technical School of Mining and Energy Engineers, in order to make its long-standing connection with the energy sector visible to society.
In 2014 the School achieved its first important milestone in the international recognition of its degrees, making the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredits its training program in Mining Engineering (Plan 96) in the engineering accreditation commission, which would be revalidated in 2016 for the Master's Degree in Mining Engineering (MUIM) and also obtained for the four Bachelor's degrees. The same thing happened with the accreditation EURACE, European in scope, obtained first for the MUIM in 2020 and later for the four Degrees in 2021.
