Black Intelligentsia Libraries
The New Way Of Thinking
Mining & Geological Engineer
There are many types of heroes, from military personnel and firefighters to mentors and educators.  But, there is one unsung hero who accepts the challenge of making feasible the extraction of much-needed minerals and metals used by the entire population while keeping workers safe in extremely dangerous work conditions, all at the same time.  If you have the hero gene, love Math and Science, and willingly accept tough challenges, then a career as a Mining and Geological Engineer may be a perfect fit for you.

Geological Engineers design mines for the safe and efficient removal of minerals (coal, metals, etc.) for manufacturing and utilities, in addition to designing, implementing, and coordinating mine safety programs.  They conduct sub-surface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites.  Many specify ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally-sound extraction or underground construction activities, while others inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions.

Duties include but are not limited to:  designing open-pit and underground mines; supervising the construction of mine shafts and tunnels in underground operations; devising methods for transporting minerals to processing plants; monitoring production rates to assess the effectiveness of operations; providing solutions to problems related to land reclamation, water and air pollution, and sustainability; and ensuring that mines are operated in safe and environmentally sound ways.

High students interested in studying Mining & Geological Engineering benefit from taking courses in Science:  Biology, Chemistry, and Physics; and Mathematics:  Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus.  Those entering Geological Engineering Bachelor's of Science (or related) programs from high school with no previous Mining and Geological Engineering training should expect a period 4 to 5 years to complete said program.  For those wishing to someday establish their own Mining and Geological Engineering consulting firms and to work directly with the public, "Civil: Geotechnical" or "Mining and Mineral Processing" Professional Engineer's licensure is required.  In most states, continuing education is required to maintain PE licensure.  Graduate education is needed for many research and development positions.

Often specializing in one particular mineral or metal, Mining Engineers design and develop mines and determine the best method of extraction to get the most out of deposits, develop new equipment, direct mineral-processing operations to separate minerals from dirt, rock, and other materials, and work closely with Geologists and Metallurgical Engineers to find and evaluate new ore deposits.  Mining Safety Engineers draw on their knowledge about mine design and best practices to ensure workers’ safety and to ensure compliance with state and federal safety regulations.  They inspect mines’ walls and roofs, monitor the air quality, and examine mining equipment for possible hazards.

As countries around the world rely heavily on hard-to-reach sub-surface minerals for a myriad of uses, Mining and Geological Engineers should enjoy very healthy demand in this highly specialized field, a demand on the rise as engineers retire and as technology expand possibilities in mining and extraction.
Job Description
Median Salary & Range
​Median Salary:  $84,300

Salary Range:  ~$50,620 - $136,800+
College Majors & Attainment Routes
​The normal routes to becoming a Mining and Geological Engineer (by work title) have been to major in Civil Engineering (Environmental/Geotechnical Engineering concentration), Mechanical Engineering or on less frequent occasions, Geology, Geoscience, Earth Science, Engineering Physics, ​Environmental Engineering, or Physics (Pre-Engineering).
Colleges That Provide Above Majors
​Colleges and universities that have Mining and Geological Engineering and related majors are:  Howard University (Washington, DC); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland); Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi); North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, North Carolina); Alabama A&M University (Normal, Alabama); Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tennessee); Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, Alabama); Lincoln University (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania); Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana); Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, Florida); and Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina).
Available Scholarships