The Institute operates through the integration of three functional areas, the � rst of which is its core objective: Research promote, disseminate and carry out research, technology and innovation related to mining and sustainable development; Education develop and qualify technical and scienti� c knowledge through postgraduate courses, doctorate courses and academic and professional MA courses, as well as extension activities and undergraduate science activities; Entrepreneurship foster the formation of a researcher-entrepreneur culture, preparing people to lead technology-based companies or technology transfer processes that may result from the research.