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Mining Engineer - Tasks and specialisations

Mining engineers may do some or all of the following:

prepare designs, plans and schedules for mining operations
research and develop new mining methods and technology
determine the equipment to be used to create/develop the mine
prepare reports on proposed mines
consult with clients, professionals, and government officials
carry out pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and control the cost of the operation
co-ordinate work in progress on the mine site
discuss work in progress and consult with contractors, engineers, geologists, and surveyors
prepare reports on work in progress
design and supervise work involving explosives
ensure safety and environmental standards are met and maintained
attend meetings with other mine staff to discuss issues related to the mine
study ways to improve mining
carry out economic analysis on mineral deposits
examine and work towards minimising the impact of mining on the environment.

Louise Mowlem talking with miner Ian Speakman out on the site

Ian Judd often consults with other professionals such as geologists

Mining engineers may specialise in the following areas:

Academic and Research Mining Engineer: Academic and research mining engineers often work in universities or research centres. They may specialise in fields such as rock engineering, mining economics, or geology project design.
Coal Mining Engineer: Coal mining engineers work in open pit or underground mines and tend to use a variety of mining methods.
Consultant Mining Engineer: Mining engineers who work as consultants are 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 open pit and underground mines.
Open Pit Mining Engineer: Open pit mining engineers work in surface mines that are open to the daylight, such as quarries. These mines may also be referred to as open-cut or opencast mines.
Underground Mining Engineer: Underground mining engineers work in deep mines that are usually located several hundred feet underground. The minerals in these mines are removed mechanically and transferred by shuttle car or conveyor to the surface.

Updated September 2009