Mining Engineers locate and plan the extraction of deposits of metallic ores, coal, nonmetallic minerals, and building materials, such as stone and gravel.

JOB DUTIES 

Mining Engineers may:

Work with scientists and other engineers to locate and evaluate deposits

Determine the best method of entry, extraction, and production by means of computer-simulation and other techniques

Determine whether mine can be worked for a profit

Plan the location and development of underground and open pit mines

Take responsibility for finding out why systems, machinery or chemical processes do not work.

Plan the height and placement of excavation levels and the types of excavation and haulage equipment

Devise methods of storing excavated soil and return the mine site to its natural state after the deposits have been exhausted

Plan and supervise the construction of access roads; water systems; power supplies; communication systems; ventilation and drainage systems; transportation systems; and materials separating, cleaning, grading, and reduction facilities

Plan and coordinate the use of mine workers in a safe and efficient manner

Supervise mining operations

Write environmental impact statements and other reports

Develop solutions to problems related to land reclamation and water and air pollution

Serve as consultants.

Click here to see a video of a Mining Engineer describing his workday.

Click here to see a video about a division of Mining Engineers called Petroleum Engineers

The tools and equipment used may include:

In Michigan, Mining Engineers may work with:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Mining Engineers may specialize in these areas:

010.061-014 MINING ENGINEERS locate and plan the extraction of deposits of metallic ores, coal, nonmetallic minerals, and building materials such as stone.

010.061-026 MINE SAFETY ENGINEERS inspect mines and mining areas to ensure safety and investigate accidents. They make recommendations for improving mine safety and train mine personnel in state and federal laws and safe mining practices. Many work for federal and state regulatory agencies as mine inspectors.

010.061-010 MINE-AND-OILFIELD EQUIPMENT DESIGN ENGINEERS conduct analytical studies to develop designs for mining and oilfield equipment.

010.061-022 MINE-AND-OILWELL EQUIPMENT RESEARCH ENGINEERS conduct research to develop improved mining and oil well equipment.

Mining Engineers may specialize in exploration, research and development, production, processing, equipment design and testing, environmental protection, and pollution control. Others may work as sales engineers (see Career Exploration Script #152) or as field engineers who install, adjust, maintain, and repair mining equipment and machinery for employers.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Mining Engineers usually work with others as part of a team. They may work with Geologists, Geophysicists, and Geochemists when developing plans for a new mine. They may also consult with metallurgists and metallurgical engineers to determine the type of mineral processing the ore must undergo before it can be shipped to a refining plant. Depending on their particular position, they may work with or supervise other Engineers, technicians, clerks, and other workers.

Working conditions vary considerably. Mining Engineers work in the field primarily in mines, on construction sites, and in other out-of-door areas. Living conditions at most mine sites resemble those of a small town. However, some Engineers work in camps in isolated areas of foreign countries. A few mining sites are in thickly settled regions. Mining Engineers engaged in consulting, teaching, design, research, or administration, usually spend much time in well-lighted, comfortable, and well-equipped offices, laboratories, or classrooms.

Engineers usually work 5-day, 40-hour weeks, but may frequently work in excess of 40 hours. Some Engineers must travel to perform consulting work on particular projects.

Mining Engineers may join professional associations, such as the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME). Members of professional organizations pay periodic membership fees.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities relating to processes, machines, and methods

• Activities concerned with the communication of data

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason logically and use step-by-step procedures in work

• Understand meanings/relationships of words/use language effectively

• Perform mathematical operations quickly and accurately

• Visualize objects and procedures from diagrams

• Perceive details in objects, pictures and charts

• See differences in their shapes, shadings, or measurements

• Make decisions based on verifiable data and personal judgment

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Organize activities and supervise the work of others

• Have agreeable working relationships with others

• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing

Math Problem You Should Be Able To Solve:

There are 500 pounds of coal extracted out of a mine. You are responsible for converting that figure into kilograms so it can be dispersed by the railways.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Although some optical instruments are extremely complex, they can generally be understood in terms of their basic components, usually mirrors and lenses. Without these reflective and refractive elements, our visual investigations would be severely limited.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write an explanation of new techniques you are using to extract minerals.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

A process presently being used to extract minerals is inefficient; you should be able to brainstorm other ideas that might increase efficiency.

Professional Engineers whose work affects public health, life, or property, must be licensed by the Board of Professional Engineers of the Michigan Department to work in Michigan. The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation.  Click here for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Engineer, Licensed Professional for specific licensing information.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 2900 SCIENCE , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

058 ENGINEERING (PRE-PROFESSIONAL)

Pre-Engineering Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills required for admission to professional engineering colleges.

Many Michigan colleges and universities offer programs which may satisfy the prerequisites for admission to engineering schools. Students should contact the engineering schools of their choice for admission requirements and consult their school's pre-professional adviser to ensure that admission prerequisites will be met.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

The most common requirements for entering a community college are a high school diploma, or GED, or being at least 18 years old and completing application forms. In addition, entering a college or university may require graduation from high school in a college preparatory program, a grade point average acceptable to the school to which you apply, and passing entrance examinations.

110 MINING ENGINEERING

Programs in Mining Engineering provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed in applying engineering and scientific principles to the discovery, evaluation, extraction, and processing of mineral resources from the earth and to the design and management of mineral production systems.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program 

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

E-Learning Courses and Programs 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

High school students may join the Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS). College students may join local student chapters of national engineering associations such as the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME). Postsecondary Mining Engineering programs or part-time or summer employment with mining companies may offer experience.

Engineers may find employment by applying directly to employers or by taking civil service examinations. Assistance in obtaining jobs may be available from college placement offices. Some professional associations provide placement assistance. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Global Infomine

Oil Recruiter.net

MiningJobs.org

Michigan Career Portal

Indeed

Simply Hired

Michigan Talent Bank

MONSTER.COM

Contract Employment Weekly Online

EngineerJobs

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Mining Engineers depend on their education, experience, and level of responsibility as well as the type, size, and geographic location of the employer. Engineers in the coal industry usually earn more than those in sand or gravel businesses. Average starting salaries for Mining Engineers often exceed those of other engineers.

According to a national survey, the median annual salary for full-time Mining Engineers was $75,712 (2008).  Recent graduates (Summer 2009) of bachelor degree programs in Mining Engineering had beginning average annual offers of $64,404. The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $37,544 in 2008.

Depending on their college records, Mining Engineers with bachelor's degrees and working for the federal government in 2009 without experience started at $30,630 (Level 5) or $37,941 (Level 7) per year. Those with master's degrees started at $37,941 (Level 7) or $46,409 (Level 9) per year, and those with doctorates began at a minimum of $52,846 (Level 11) and could be paid annual salaries of $64,403 per year, or more depending on level of supervision and responsibility. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Some Engineers receive supplemental income such as bonuses and consulting fees.

Depending on the employer, most Mining Engineers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers. Some employers also pay expenses for additional education.

Most Mining Engineers start as trainees in mining production operations. As they gain experience, they are given more responsible assignments and less supervision. With experience they advance to Engineer, then chief Engineer or supervisor. Some may become administrators or executives. Others with advanced degrees may teach at colleges or universities. Some may become engineering consultants. Graduate study is becoming increasingly important for advancement in nonacademic fields.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, in 2006, there were about 7,100 Mining Engineers employed. Employment of Mining Engineers is expected to grow about as fast as average through the year 2016.  The industry distribution for Mining Engineers looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

Most of the industries in which mining engineers are concentrated-such as coal, metal, and mineral mining, as well as stone, clay, and glass products manufacturing-are expected to experience declines in employment.

Although no job openings are expected to result from employment growth, there should be openings resulting from the need to replace mining engineers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. A large number of mining engineers currently employed are approaching retirement age. In addition, relatively few schools offer mining engineering programs, and the small number of graduates is not expected to increase.

Mining operations around the world recruit graduates of U.S. mining engineering programs. Consequently, job opportunities may be better worldwide than within the United States. As a result, graduates should be prepared for the possibility of frequent travel or even living abroad.

The number of Mining Engineers employed in Michigan is unknown. Most worked in the Upper Peninsula. A few worked in the Detroit area. Some Engineers worked for consulting firms, research institutions, the federal government, manufacturing companies, and other businesses.  

The demand for Mining Engineers in Michigan depends largely on the demand for metals and other mined materials. Opportunities will be available for Engineers trained to work in technologically advanced mining systems involving computers and other complex tools. As more stringent regulations concerning health, safety, and environmental protection are enforced, Mining Engineers with training and/or experience in these specialized areas will also be in greater demand.    

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth