Mining Engineering
What do Mining Engineers do?
Mining Engineers design mines and will use engineering
principles, technology, and scientific theory for the safe and effective extraction
of natural resources from these mines. Mining Engineers plan, design and
operate the mining processes, both underground and above ground. Mining
Engineers will be responsible for overseeing both mining operations and
miners and are employed by many mining-related organizations.
Mining Engineers will often work with Geologists and
Metallurgical Engineers to find and evaluate new mineral deposits. Some Mining
Engineers will be involved in the development of new equipment or direct
mineral-processing operations to separate minerals from dirt, rock, and other
materials.
What working conditions can you expect to work in as a Mining
Engineer?
Mining Engineers may work in offices or on mine sites. Depending
on the type of mine, they may work in the open above ground, or underground
where it can be cramped. Mining Engineers must be prepared to travel and will
often stay away from home for extended periods. They may be required to live on-site away from home, or to work on a fly in fly out basis. FIFO commonly
involves flying in for a certain period of time whilst the Mining Engineer
would be on-site and then flying home for periods when they are off work.
Mining Engineers will often get to see the world as if working for large
international companies, their job will often involve international travel.
What are the typical duties of a Mining Engineer?
- Involved in the design of both open-pit
and underground mines
- Overseeing of the operations of the mine
- Training and supervision of personnel
- Looking into methods for transporting
minerals to the various processing plants
- Oversee the design and construction of
mine shafts and tunnels in underground mines
- To ensure that mines are operated safely
and in the most environmentally effective ways possible
- Oversee the production rates to assess
the effectiveness of the mine operation
- To be involved in finding solutions for
problematic areas such as water and air pollution, land reclamation, etc.
- Design and develop mines and determine
the best way to extract metal or minerals to get the most out of deposits,
and to extract as much out of the mine whilst maintaining strict safety
and environmental issues at hand, for the least amount of money.
- Involved in trying to limit the amount of
water used in the operation, and keep pollution to a bare minimum.
- Prepare technical reports for miners,
engineers, and managers
What can I expect to earn as a Mining Engineer?
Mining Engineers typically earn very good salaries. Engineers across the board are renowned to earn high salaries, and Mining Engineers are no exception. They spend many years studying, working hard, and often have to make sacrifices in times of time spent away from their families, and for this reason, it is important that they are adequately compensated.