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Mining Engineers


Overview

Mining Engineers

Introduction

Mining engineers deal with the exploration, location, and planning for removal of minerals and mineral deposits from the earth. These include metals (iron, copper), nonmetallic minerals (limestone, gypsum), and coal. Mining engineers conduct preliminary surveys of mineral deposits and examine them to ascertain whether they can be extracted efficiently and economically, using either underground or surface mining methods. They plan and design the development of mine shafts and tunnels, devise means of extracting minerals, and select t...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$92,250

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Employment Prospects

Good

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Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree


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Experience

Internship
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Skills

Math
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Personality Traits

Hands On
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Earnings

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reports that median annual earnings of mining and geological engineers were $92,250 in May 2018. Salaries ranged from less than $54,550 to more than $151,030. The top-paying industry for mining and geological engineers was scientific research and development services, paying engineers median annual salaries of $126,890, according to the DOL. Engineers who work...

Work Environment

Engineers in the mining industry generally work where the mineral deposits are situated, often near small, rural communities. But those who specialize in research, management, consulting, or sales may work in metropolitan areas.

For those who work at the mine sites, conditions vary depending on the mine's location and structure and on what the engineer does. Conditions in the underground...

Outlook

Employment for mining engineers is expected to grow by about 3 percent, slower than the average for all careers, through 2028. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment in mining engineers will depend on the demand for coal, metals, and minerals. The DOL states that while these resources will continue to be used in a variety of products, from construction materials and cars to cell ...