Mining engineering is one of the most interesting branches of engineering which studies general engineering course followed by professional mining classes in drilling and blasting, materials handling, rock mechanics, mine health and safety, mine ventilation, mine cost engineering, ore reserve analysis, operations analysis, mine planning and minerals processing.

Mining engineers are needed in mineral extraction and other fields where the earths crust is utilized. The construction industry, with its requirements of developing roads, railroads, tunnels, and underground chambers, and the hazardous waste disposal industry are examples of such applications. These are rapidly expanding needs with a shortage of competent people; the mining engineer is well qualified to meet these needs. The importance of ecological and environmental planning is recognized and given significant attention in all aspects of the mining engineering curriculum.

The main function of mining engineers is to put the knowledge of scientific theories, engineering fundamentals and developed technologies to discover and recover natural resources in a profitable manner.

Mining Engineers have to do these following tasks for improvement in mining and the development of new operating and engineering practices:

    * Planning, Exploration - Mining totally depends on the geographical factors and the mineral to be extracted. Mining Engineers have to study the nature of work for extraction of perfect deposits.
    * Designing - Mining technologists design and supervise the construction of mine shafts and tunnels in underground operations, and devise methods for transporting minerals to processing plants.
    * Excavation, Refining - Mining engineers specialize in the mining of one mineral, such as coal, gold, mica etc for direct mineral processing operations and separating minerals from dirt, rocks and other materials mixed with it.
    * Research and Development - Mining engineers are also involved in the development of new equipment by ongoing Research and development program.
    * Environmental protection - Mining engineers are also trying to solve problems related to land reclamation and water and air pollution.
    * Sales - Mining engineers are employed as sales managers to market mining equipments and supplies.

 

Mining engineers are responsible for locating and safely extracting natural reserves like petroleum, minerals etc. The duties of mining professionals also include designing, planning, excavation of minerals and their transportation, maintenance of mines, air circulation and removal of toxic gases from the mines. There are some specialized branches like Mining Electronics, Mining Machinery and Mineral Engineering that mining engineers can opt for.

Mining engineers find employment opportunities both in government as well as private sector. Companies like the ONGC, Coal India, Geological Survey of India, HCL, IPCL, NALCO, TISCO, TELCO, Reliance and MNCs like British Gas and Schlumberger recruit graduates directly from the top campuses like ISM and IITs.

The National Institute of Rock Mechanics, Kolar Gold Fields (Kar), recruits mining graduates/postgraduates as Project Fellows.

Higher studies can be done in the field of management, Research and development, refinery engineering etc.

Starting salaries of mining engineers is among the highest in the engineering profession. The starting pay-package for a fresh pass put from any average engineering college ranges between Rs.15, 000 and Rs.25, 000. The salary increases with skills and experience. Fresh graduates from IITs and NIT get more salary as compared to other engineering colleges.