Mining engineers design, lay out, and direct construction of underground mines. They design open pit and underground mines as well as supervise the construction of mine shafts and tunnels. They develop ways to transport the minerals to processing plants. Mining engineers must find ways to mine the minerals as safely and cheaply as possible. They also try and limit environmental damage from mining.
Some mining engineers work with geologists and metallurgical engineers to find new ore deposits.
Others are in charge of operations that separate minerals that are mixed in with dirt, rock, and other materials. Some engineers develop new mining equipment. They often specialize in specific metal ores, coal, or other minerals. Mining Engineers is in the Engineering, Science, and Technologies Career Cluster. Worker Characteristics Good ability to see details in graphs, such as those analyzing minerals Good ability to understand and use words when talking or writing Good ability to look at blueprints and mentally imagine what new mining equipment would look like Good ability to work with numbers Ability to coordinate the movement of eyes and hands, such as when using a computer Ability to solve problems and make decisions Ability to examine written materials, such as reports, for errors Ability to plan a mining site that wastes few materials Ability to move fingers rapidly, such as while typing Ability to move hands easily Willingness to supervise others and be in charge of planning projects Willingness to be a leader and influence others Mining engineers should be creative and detail-oriented.