Career Details :: Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Description
Determine the location and plan the extraction of coal, metallic ores, nonmetallic minerals, and building materials, such as stone and gravel. Work involves conducting preliminary surveys of deposits or undeveloped mines and planning their development; examining deposits or mines to determine whether they can be worked at a profit; making geological and topographical surveys; evolving methods of mining best suited to character, type, and size of deposits; and supervising mining operations.
Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Tasks
- Lays out and directs mine construction operations.
- Plans and coordinates mining processes and labor utilization.
- Plans, conducts, or directs others in performing mining experiments to test or prove research findings.
- Devises methods to solve environmental problems and reclaim mine sites.
- Inspects mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
- Designs and maintains protective and rescue equipment and safety devices.
- Prepares technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
- Trains mine personnel in safe working practices and first aid.
- Tests air to detect toxic gases and recommends alterations or installation of ventilation shafts, partitions, or equipment to remedy problem.
- Monitors production rate of gas, oil, or minerals from wells or mines.
- Provides technical consultation during drilling operations.
- Determines methods to extract minerals, considering factors such as safety, optimal costs, and deposit characteristics.
- Conducts or collaborates in geological exploration and reviews maps and drilling logs to determine location, size, accessibility, and value of mineral deposits, or optimal oil and gas reservoir locations.
- Designs, implements, and monitors facility projects, such as water, communication, ventilation, drainage, power supply, and conveyor systems.
- Evaluates data to develop new mining products, equipment, or processes.
Related Careers
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Civil Engineers
- Electrical Drafters
- Engineering Managers
- Geologists
- Industrial Safety and Health Engineers
- Marine Engineers
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Petroleum Engineers
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating & Using Job-Relevant Knowledge
- Drafting & Specifying Technical Devices, etc.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Consequence of Error
- Responsible for Others' Health & Safety
- Job-Required Social Interaction
- Responsibility for Outcomes and Results
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering/Petroleum Engineering |  [ add ] |
| Engineering of Mines | [ add ] |
| Mechanical Engineering/Petroleum Engineering | [ add ] |
| Mineral Economics | [ add ] |
| Mineral Engineering | [ add ] |
| Mineral Engineering Management | [ add ] |
| Mineral Processing | [ add ] |
| Mining Engineering | [ add ] |
| Nursing/RN | [ add ] |
| Petroleum Engineering | [ add ] |
| Petroleum Engineering Technology | [ add ] |
| Petroleum/Natural Gas Engineering | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.