Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
SOC: 17-2151.00

Description:

Conduct sub-surface 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.

National Salary Information:

Hourly Statistics:

Annual Statistics:

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 wage data.

Employment Projections:

Employment (2014):
8,300 employed

Projected (2024):
8,800 employed

Projected growth (2014-2024)


Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 2014-2024 employment projections external site. "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2014-2024). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Alternate Titles:

  • Civil Engineer
  • Design Engineer
  • Engineer
  • Engineering Manager
  • Exploration Engineer
  • Exploration Geologist
  • Geological Engineer
  • Geologist
  • Geophysical Engineer
  • Health and Safety Representative
  • Mine Analyst
  • Mine Development Engineer
  • Mine Engineer
  • Mine Engineering Manager
  • Mine Engineering Superintendent
  • Mine Engineering Supervisor
  • Mine Environmental Engineer
  • Mine Equipment Design Engineer
  • Mine Expert
  • Mine Exploration Engineer
  • Mine Inspector
  • Mine Manager
  • Mine Production Engineer
  • Mine Safety Director
  • Mine Safety Engineer
  • Mine Safety Manager
  • Mineral Engineer
  • Mineral Resources Inspector
  • Mining and Oil Field Equipment Design Engineer
  • Mining and Oil Field Equipment Test Engineer
  • Mining and Oil Well Equipment Research Engineer
  • Mining Consultant
  • Mining Engineer
  • Ore Dressing Engineer
  • Planning Engineer
  • Project Engineer
  • Safety Analyst
  • Safety Director
  • Safety Engineer
  • Safety Inspector
  • Safety Representative
  • Safety Supervisor
  • Seismic Engineer
  • Site Safety Representative
  • Surveyor
  • Transport Engineer

    • Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

    Experience:

    A considerable amount 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.

    Education:

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

    Job Training:

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

    Required Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Coordination
  • Persuasion
  • Negotiation
  • Instructing
  • Service Orientation
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Operations Analysis
  • Technology Design
  • Equipment Selection
  • Programming
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Troubleshooting
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Systems Analysis
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Time Management
  • Management of Financial Resources
  • Management of Material Resources
  • Management of Personnel Resources

    • Knowledge Used:

  • Administration and Management
  • Clerical
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Production and Processing
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Psychology
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Geography
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • History and Archeology
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Law and Government
  • Telecommunications
  • Communications and Media
  • Transportation

    • Tasks:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Supervise, train, and evaluate technicians, technologists, survey personnel, engineers, scientists or other mine personnel.

    • Tools & Technology:

  • Clinometers
  • Color plotting printers
  • Combustible gas detectors
  • Computer scanners
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital plotters
  • Directional compasses
  • Geological hammers
  • Global positioning system GPS receivers
  • Handheld calculators
  • Laptop computers
  • Measuring tapes
  • Personal computers
  • Stratum compasses
  • Universal serial bus USB flash drives
  • Autodesk AutoCAD software
  • Carlson SurvCADD
  • Gemcom PCBC
  • Gemcom Surpac
  • Gemcom Whittle
  • GEO-SLOPE GeoStudio
  • GijimaAst Mining Solutions International Mine2-4D
  • Hellman & Schofield MP3
  • Maptek Vulcan
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Word
  • Mincom MineScape
  • Minemax iGantt
  • Mintec MineSight software
  • Modular Mining Systems DISPATCH software
  • Ohio Automation Integrated Computer Aided Mine Planning System ICAMPS
  • Oracle Primavera Systems software
  • Overland Conveyor Belt Analyst
  • Promine
  • Runge XERAS software
  • Runge XPAC software
  • Schlumberger PIPESIM
  • Site mapping software
  • Statistical software
  • Trimble Geomatics Office
  • Ventsim

    • architecture and engineering

    industry stats

    SOC: 17-0000

    Total Employed: 2,475,390

    Average Annual Salary: $82,980