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Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.
Other titles employers use
Mine Engineer · Mining Consultant · Mining Engineer · Planning Engineer · Project Engineer · Safety Engineer · Safety Representative · Geophysical Engineer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
- Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
- Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
- Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
- Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
- Monitor mine production rates to assess operational effectiveness.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Complex Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
Subjects to know
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Design
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.5 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.2 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 79%
- A master's degree 20%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Office suite software
- Project management software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,100
- Job openings each year
- 70
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 10.0%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,100 | 70 | 10.0% |
| Nevada | 650 | 40 | 14.0% |
| Arizona | 510 | 30 | 2.0% |
| Texas | 470 | 30 | 17.5% |
| Alaska | 360 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Colorado | 330 | 20 | 3.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 310 | 20 | 6.9% |
| West Virginia | 270 | 10 | −18.2% |
| Oklahoma | 260 | 20 | 13.0% |
| Utah | 230 | 20 | 21.1% |
| Alabama | 220 | 10 | 4.8% |
| Kentucky | 180 | 10 | −10.0% |
| Montana | 180 | 10 | 12.5% |
| New Mexico | 170 | 10 | 6.3% |
| Tennessee | 170 | 10 | 13.3% |
| Ohio | 140 | 10 | −6.7% |
| Florida | 130 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Virginia | 120 | 10 | −14.3% |
| Idaho | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Wyoming | 90 | 10 | — |
| Minnesota | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Maryland | 70 | 0 | 16.7% |
| Missouri | 70 | 0 | 16.7% |
| North Carolina | 60 | 0 | — |
| Washington | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Nebraska | 20 | 0 | — |
| South Carolina | 20 | 0 | — |
| Wisconsin | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
- Degrees each year
- 304
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college VAVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Degrees each year
- 279
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college TXTexas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 252
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college ILUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Degrees each year
- 180
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college INPurdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 180
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college NJNew Jersey Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 177
- Admit rate
- 67%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college PAPennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 167
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college FLUniversity of Central Florida
- Degrees each year
- 158
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college