Mining Engineering
About Mining Engineering
Mining engineering is a branch of geological engineering. Geological engineering requires a four-year college degree, though better salaries are offered to students who complete the additional two years and gain their master's degree. For those involved in mining engineering, the work can be quite enjoyable, but in some areas it is dangerous because mining is done underground and we've all seen the danger involved in a mine collapse. If a mining engineering worker is careful, he or she plans blasting areas extremely carefully. The mining engineer will carefully survey the area and blast only where areas are well supported. For this reason, there is some civil engineering work involved.
Workers who are employed in the field of mining engineering will spend their days examining the minerals and ores brought out of mines. They use special tools that can measure the metallic content, mineral content, weight, and density of any mined material. One thing to remember when thinking about mining engineering, many mines are located in specific areas. Utah and West Virginia are the areas with most mines in the United States, and then Alaska is home to the De'Beers diamond mines. If you enter the field of mining engineering, you will have to live in an area where there are mines. So for many, this will mean you must move to a new location.
To enter the field of mining engineering, plan to take your four-year college in an area where there are mines. Not only does this help you adjust to the area in advance, but you may also find it much easier to gain an internship during your final years of college. College degree programs in mining engineering require successful completion of courses in chemistry, advanced math, business writing, physics, engineering, geology, mining skills, and other necessary requirements in English, history, and physical education. At the end of most mining engineering programs, students must pass the National Engineering Fundamentals Examination (NEFE) in order to receive their degree.
