Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

Career 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.

Industry: Architecture and Engineering

Other Job Titles for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
• 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.
• Examine maps, deposits, drilling locations, or mines to determine the location, size, accessibility, contents, value, and potential profitability of mineral, oil, and gas deposits.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of technicians, technologists, survey personnel, engineers, scientists and other mine personnel.
• Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
• Monitor mine production rates to assess operational effectiveness.
• Design, implement, and monitor the development of mines, facilities, systems, or equipment.
• Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
• Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
• Implement and coordinate mine safety programs, including the design and maintenance of protective and rescue equipment and safety devices.
• Test air to detect toxic gases and recommend measures to remove them, such as installation of ventilation shafts.
• Design, develop, and implement computer applications for use in mining operations such as mine design, modeling, or mapping or for monitoring mine conditions.
• Select or devise materials-handling methods and equipment to transport ore, waste materials, and mineral products efficiently and economically.
• Devise solutions to problems of land reclamation and water and air pollution, such as methods of storing excavated soil and returning exhausted mine sites to natural states.
• Lay out, direct, and supervise mine construction operations, such as the construction of shafts and tunnels.
• Evaluate data to develop new mining products, equipment, or processes.
• Conduct or direct mining experiments to test or prove research findings.
• Design mining and mineral treatment equipment and machinery in collaboration with other engineering specialists.
• Write performance requirements for product development or engineering projects.
• Apply engineering principles and practices to emerging fields such as robotics, waste management, and biomedical engineering.
• Design test control apparatus and equipment and develop procedures for testing products.
• Maintain records of engineering department activities, including expense records and details of equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Schedule machine overhauls and the servicing of electrical, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, and sewage systems.
• Produce presentations of surface and mineral ownership layers by interpreting legal survey plans.
• Design and supervise the development of systems processes or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.

Emerging Tasks

• Supervise, train, and evaluate technicians, technologists, survey personnel, engineers, scientists and other mine personnel.
• Seek new work opportunities through marketing and writing proposals.
• Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
• Keep documentation of service histories on all biomedical equipment.
• Manage team of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and utilizing budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines.
• Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adhere to safety procedures
• advise clients or customers
• advise clients regarding engineering problems
• analyze ecosystem data
• analyze engineering design problems
• analyze engineering test data
• analyze financial data
• analyze geological research data
• analyze project proposal to determine feasibility, cost, or time
• analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
• analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
• analyze test data
• assign work to staff or employees
• bid engineering, construction or extraction projects
• calculate engineering specifications
• collect scientific or technical data
• communicate technical information
• compile numerical or statistical data
• compute production, construction, or installation specifications
• conduct geological surveys
• conduct land surveys
• conduct standardized qualitative laboratory analyses
• conduct standardized quantitative laboratory analyses
• conduct topographical surveys
• conduct training for personnel
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• coordinate development of refining processes
• coordinate engineering project activities
• create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
• delegate authority for engineering activities
• design construction projects
• design electro-mechanical equipment
• design electronic equipment
• design engineered systems
• design machines
• design mining or petroleum equipment and other extraction systems
• design tools or mechanical devices
• design transmission equipment
• design transporting processes
• design waste recovery methods
• determine specifications
• develop or maintain databases
• develop plans for programs or projects
• develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
• develop safety regulations
• develop tables depicting data
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• direct and coordinate construction of mine shafts or tunnels
• direct and coordinate mining operations
• direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
• direct personnel in support of engineering activities
• draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
• evaluate costs of engineering projects
• evaluate engineering data
• evaluate tool designs
• examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
• explain complex mathematical information
• explore for oil or gas
• follow safe waste disposal procedures
• improve test devices or techniques in manufacturing, industrial or engineering setting
• inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
• inspect project operations, or site to determine specification compliance
• interpret aerial photographs
• interpret maps for architecture, construction, or engineering project
• lead teams in engineering projects
• perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
• perform statistical analysis in physical science or geological research
• plan construction of structures or facilities
• plan oil or ore extraction
• plan production processes
• plan testing of engineering methods
• prepare reports
• prepare safety reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• provide analytical assessment of engineering data
• read blueprints
• read maps
• read technical drawings
• recommend purchase, repair, or modification of equipment
• resolve engineering or science problems
• supervise pollution control workers
• test air to detect toxic gases
• test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
• understand construction specifications
• understand engineering data or reports
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use geographic positioning system (GPS)
• use geographical information system (GIS) software
• use government regulations
• use hazardous materials information
• use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of materials testing procedures
• use knowledge of regulations in surveying or construction activities
• use knowledge of ventilation systems
• use land surveying techniques
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use physical science research techniques
• use pollution control techniques
• use project management techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use underwater engineering techniques
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals

Overall 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.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education
Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers, teachers, chemists, and police detectives.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$35.74
• Average annual wage (2007) - $74,330.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 9.96%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 704
• Employment (2006): 7,070

• Civil Engineering Technicians
• Civil Engineers
• Electrical Drafters
• Engineering Managers
• Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
• Industrial Safety and Health Engineers
• Marine Engineers
• Mechanical Engineering Technicians
• Petroleum Engineers
• Petroleum Engineers