Mining engineers deal with discovering, extracting, processing, marketing, and utilizing mineral deposits from the earth. The role of the mining engineer may be quite diversified, and the field offers opportunities for specialization in a large number of technical areas. The trained professional in this field is well-versed in mining and geology and also in the principles of civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering as applied to the mining industry. A degree in mining engineering is designed to produce a modern professional capable of designing and managing a modern coal or mineral mining operation.
| Computer Applications |
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How the cutting-edge computer technology is being used to design and automate modern plant and mining operations. Also applying computer design and numerical modeling techniques to the mining and engineering problems.
(Photo shows the night view of Galatia mine coal preparation plant and surface material handling facilities, IL) |  | | | |
| Environmental and Sustainability |
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How to reclaim the mined land and restore it to its original condition or better. Sustainable development principles applied to the restoration of land temporarily impacted by mining operations.
(Photo shows the restored land after mining, WV) |  | | | |
| Exploration and Reserve Valuation |
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How to apply knowledge of the earth's structures and technologies of exploration and valuation to the discovery and extraction of the useful minerals.
(Photo shows a mine reserve map) |  | | | |
| Explosives |
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How to apply engineering principles and skills to the effective use of explosives in the process of removing and extracting the materials from the earth.
(Photo shows a cast blast used to remove overburden in Wyoming)
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| Materials Handling |
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How to efficiently and safely move and track people, equipment, and extracted minerals to and from place to place.
(Photo shows a typical overland conveyor belt used in trasporting the as-mined materials from mine site to the silos at preparation plant, WV) |  | | | |
| Mine Design |
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| How to design mines to maximize output and worker safety while minimizing cost and environmental impacts. |
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| Mine Safety and Management |
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| Applying management techniques to organize and operate mining and processing activities in most safety and effective ways. |
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| Mine Ventilation, Health and Safety |
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How to design and operate ventilation systems and control methane and other gas, dust, heat, noise levels, and lighting related problems in mines to protect the health and safety of both miners and public.
(Photo shows the air conditioning system, including vent duct, and ventilation fan at mine surface applied in underground coal mining) |  | | | |
| Mineral Processing and Coal Preparation |
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How to process the as-mined or raw materials to render materials, carbon, and energy sources for use by industry, power plants, and other consumers.
(Photo shows the operation of flotation column for separation of fine coal, WV) |  | | | |
| Rock Mechanics and Ground Control |
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How to lay out a mine and design support for underground openings and surface earth structures.
(Photo shows the rock strain/stress testing in the laboratory, WVU, WV) |  | | | |
| Surface Mining |
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How to extract minerals, coal and other useful materials from the earth's surface efficiently and safely.
(Photo shows the large shovel used in extracting copper ore at surface mining site, AZ) |  | | | |
| Underground Mining |
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How to extract minerals, coal, and other useful materials below the ground surface efficiently and safely.
(Photo shows the sheilds and shearer using longwall mining method in underground mine, WV) |  | | | |