ARMINES is a private non-profit research and technological organisation (RTO) funded in 1967 at the instigation of its partner engineering schools, the Ecoles des Mines network. ARMINES currently shares 48 Joint Research Units (Common Research Centres) with its partner schools, where each legal entity, either private or public, provides personnel, investment and operating resources for common research purpose.

Under the supervision of the French Ministry for Economy, Industry and Digital Technology, ARMINES is bound by French government-approved agreements to its partner schools of the Ecoles des Mines and IMT network: Paris (MINES ParisTech), Albi-Carmaux (IMT Mines Albi-Carmaux), Alès (IMT Mines Alès), Douai (IMT Nord Europe), Nantes (IMT Atlantique) and Saint-Etienne (MINES Saint-Etienne). ARMINES also collaborates with ENSTA ParisTech and Polytechnique.