Mining
engineering is an engineering discipline that involves the practice, the
theory, the science, the technology, and application of extracting and
processing minerals from a naturally occurring environment. Mining engineering
also includes processing minerals for additional value.
What
does a Mining Engineer do?
Mining
engineers plan and direct the various engineering aspects of extracting
minerals from the earth. They prepare initial plans for the type, size,
location and construction of open pit or underground mines. The sorts of things
that a mining engineer oversees at a mine might include:
•
conduct investigations of mineral deposits and undertake evaluations in
collaboration with geologists, other earth scientists and economists to
determine whether the mineral deposits can be mined profitably
•
prepare plans for mines, including tunnels and shafts for underground
operations, and pits and haulage roads for open-cut operations, using
computer-aided design packages
•
prepare the layout of the mine development and the way the minerals are to be
mined
• plan
and coordinate the employment of mining staff and equipment with regard to
efficiency, safety and environmental conditions
•
consult with geologists and other engineers about the design, selection and
provision of machines, facilities and systems for mining, as well as
infrastructure such as access roads, water and power supplies
•
operate computers to assist with calculations, prepare estimates on the cost of
the operation and control expenditure when mines come into production
•
oversee the construction of the mine and the installation of plant and
equipment
• make
sure that mining regulations are observed, including the proper use and care of
explosives, and the correct ventilation to allow the removal of dust and gases
Mining
Engineering Career Opportunities?
Mining
engineers have a wide variety of career options including becoming mine
planners and designers, consultants for tunneling operations (for road, rail,
hydro-electric, water supply or sewerage works), operations managers, technical
specialists (e.g. rock mechanics, drilling and blasting, mine machinery or
ventilation),investment analysts and advisers, researchers, or general managers
and mine managers.
Mining
Engineer - Open Pit
Mining
Engineers working in open pits are involved with long and short term open pit
mine planning, mine design scheduling and budgeting, strategic planning,
supervision of technical and operating staff, mine management.
Mining
Engineer - Underground
Underground
Mining Engineers can be involved with coordinating mining activities,
maintenance scheduling for all equipment, short/ long term mine planning,
scheduling and design.
Mining
Engineer - Coal
Coal
mines can be open pit or underground and tend to use different mining methods.
Coal mines can be prone to gas and fire problems. Coal Mining Engineers can be
involved with coordinating mining activities, maintenance scheduling for all
equipment, short/long term mine planning, scheduling and design.
Mining
Engineer - Consulting
Mining
Engineers who work as consultants are often involved in a wide variety of
projects, mining methods and different technical areas. They use computer
programs to model the mining process and design and can work on both open pit
and underground developments.
Mining
Engineer - Academic/Research
Academic
and Research mining engineers often work in universities or CRC’s (cooperative
research centers). Rather than looking primarily at the economic issues of how
to mine most economically and locating the boundaries of ore deposits for this
reason, academic and research engineers investigate why and how things behave
the way they do or are the way they are. They experiment with different mining
methods, designs and equipment.
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