Building a better world
Mining Engineering
CAREER PROFILE
WHAT IS MINING
What is mining engineering? ENGINEERING?
Mining engineering is about the safe, efficient, and responsible
extraction of natural resources from the earth, including
minerals, metals, coal, oil, and gas. Mining engineers are
essential for meeting global demands for these raw materials
while adhering to ethical and ecological standards. There are
several sub-specializations including geotechnical engineering,
environmental engineering, mining operations engineering, and mineral
processing engineering.
What do mining engineers do?
Mining is a complex and expensive undertaking. Mining engineers work along the
full value chain from the exploration of new deposits to the responsible closure of
old mines. Specific roles vary with industry, project, and level of expertise. Here WHAT DO MINING
are some of the main roles. ENGINEERS DO?
• They help conduct geological surveys to identify the quality and quantity of
new deposits and the feasibility of new mining operations.
• They design and plan new mining operations including mine layout, optimal
extraction process, and safety procedures.
• They manage the drilling and blasting operations needed to extract the
resources safely and efficiently.
• They ensure that mining operations comply with environmental regulations
and practices and work to minimize the environmental impact of mining
activities.
• They plan and oversee the responsible closure of old mines and land
reclamation and restoration processes.
How do you become a mining engineer?
TYPICAL EMPLOYERS
As with all engineering fields it is important to take and excel at science and
Typical employers include
mathematics at school. Most mining engineers get a mining engineering large private companies and
bachelor’s degree. Many specializations require a master's (or higher) degree. research organizations:
• BHP Billiton
Here are some general tips for choosing a university or college: • BP
• Make sure the program is fully accredited locally and/or internationally. • De Beers
• Investigate the backgrounds and expertise of the faculty members in the • Government regulators
mining engineering department. • Mining consultancies
• Assess the facilities and resources provided by the school. • Geology consultancies
• Consider accredited engineering programs offered by technical or community
colleges as well.
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What are the careers prospects for a mining engineer?
Mining engineers are in greatest demand in regions or countries with large and
successful mining industries. The nature of the work also means that many jobs are
in remote areas far from urban centers. Globally, demand for mining engineers is
expected to grow in the coming years, in some regions by up to 16%. Average
annual salaries are about US$100,000.
Meet some mining engineers
Watch the following videos to meet some inspiring mining engineers.
BAILEIGH SIRMAN OLIVIA GALL MELANIE STARE
In this video interview, Watch Olivia Gall, a mine Melanie began her journey to
Baileigh offers detailed and planning engineer, describe becoming a chief mine
valuable insights into what it what it is like working as a engineer later in life. She
is like to work as a mining mining engineer, what skills it started out studying
engineer. requires, and why she loves it architecture but in her second
so much. year, the mining bug bit. The
rest is history.
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