To become a mining engineer you need a Bachelor of Engineering (majoring in resource or mechanical engineering). Undergraduates must gain some practical experience while studying and this is usually organised as part of the course. 

Mining engineers usually spend three years on a graduate mining engineer programme before they become fully qualified. To take charge of a mining site as a mining engineer you must hold a Certificate of Competence issued by the Extractive Industries ITO (EXITO).

Mining engineering graduates usually begin on-site in a junior mining engineer capacity, and gain training and experience working alongside miners, surveyors and geologists.

EXITO website

Bursary or NCEA equivalent maths with calculus and physics is usually required to enter tertiary training.

State-owned Solid Energy offers nine annual general tertiary scholarships for secondary students attending schools in their local mining communities.

Solid Energy website – scholarship applications

Mining engineers must keep up to date with developments in the field through attending seminars, courses, and conferences. Other important sources of information are the Internet and sharing information with colleagues.

Experience in mining, quarrying or construction is useful, as is a strong interest in geology and civil engineering.