GineersNow Engineering Magazine November 2016 Issue No 009

HOW DO I BECOME A MINING
ENGINEER?
Mining engineering is one of the smallest fields in engineering but it is one of the
most important jobs in our world today—and it is still growing.
Photo by forbes
Mining Engineering jobs are projected
to rise in the next years, that’s why
many are pursuing a course in this
field. Relatively, mining engineering
is one of the smallest fields in
engineering but it is one of the most
important jobs in our world today—
and it is still growing. To understand
the nature of this field more, here
is a short description about mining
engineering.
What is a Mining Engineer?
Mining engineers are responsible for
designing safe and efficient mines
for removing coal and metals. They
are responsible for optimizing mines
for extracting resources in the most
efficient and effective way that is
possible. They also make sure that
they extract as much of the resource
as possible.
Mining engineers, more often than
not, have their own specialization
in a certain metal or mineral. There
are those that work together with
geologists so they will be able to find
and evaluate new ore deposits. On
the other hand, there are those that
specialize in developing or improving
mining equipment, manage
processing operations that segregate
and refine minerals.
There are mining safety engineers
as well. They implement the best
practices in the field, conduct mine
and equipment inspections, monitor
the air quality, and make sure that
their company complies with all
the safety regulations to keep the
workers safe.
What do Mining Engineers Do?
Mainly, mining engineers design
underground mines as well as
open-pit mines, they supervise the
construction of structures in the
mines, planning of transportation
of minerals to processing plants,
monitor production, and do reports
as well.
These professionals assess the
geological characteristics of mining
sites to find the best structures and
equipment as well as process that fit
the mine best.
They also make sure that the
operations conducted are
environmentally sound.
Get a Mining Engineer Degree
To become a mining engineer,
the first step you have to take is
to finish a bachelor’s degree in
mining engineering or geological
engineer. Since there are very few
schools around the globe which
offer mining engineering programs,
students who do not have access to a
university that offers such may need
to specialize in this area from within
general engineering programs. Some
programs in mining engineering
include geology, mine design and
safety, physics, and mathematics.
Where do Mining Engineers Work
Many mining engineers work in
mining operations in locations
that are remote. However, there
are some that work in sand-andgravel
operations that are found
nearby cities. As time goes by, some
may work their way up to officebased
positions in mining firms or
consultation companies which are
in business districts or metropolitan
areas.
Most mining engineers work full time.
Those who work in remote locations
have schedules with different shifts
that exceed 40 hours per week.
NOVEMBER 2016
Mining Engineering and Its Importance
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