Edward Wellman

Associate Professor of Practice, School of Mining Engineering & Mineral Resources
Edward Wellman
ecwellman@arizona.edu

Edward Wellman is a mining and geological engineer with more than 25 years of experience in rock mechanics, slope stability, underground mining and geotechnical analysis. He holds multiple engineering and geology licenses and has led or consulted on major mining and civil infrastructure projects across North and South America, Asia and Europe. His academic work includes teaching courses such as geomechanics, tailings design and fracture mechanics, with consistently high teaching evaluations.

Wellman advises student design teams, supports university-industry partnerships and serves as a program evaluator for ABET. His research and practice integrate field investigations, numerical modeling and risk-based designs, contributing to more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications and numerous professional presentations.

Degrees

  • PhD Mining & Geological Engineering
    • The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
    • Dissertation: "Non Contact Rock Strength Characterization"
  • M. Geological Engineering
  • University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada
  • Thesis: "Fracture, Faulting, and Gouge Development in the Tuff of Hoover Dam: Clark County, Nevada, Mojave County, Arizona"
  • BS Geosciences
    • The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Work Experience

  • Independent Geomechanics LLC (2019 - Ongoing)
  • SRK Consulting (2014 - 2019)
  • Call & Nicholas, Inc. (2007 - 2014)
  • Call & Nicholas, Inc. (2004 - 2007)
  • Condor Earth Technologies (2001 - 2004)
  • Call & Nicholas, Inc (1997 - 2001)

Awards

  • Award for Excellence at the Student Interface
    • Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, Spring 2023

Licensure & Certification

  • Professional Engineer, Montana Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors (2025)
  • Professional Engineer, Idaho Division of Professional Licensing (2024)
  • Professional Engineer, New York Department of Education (2019)
  • Professional Engineer, Alaska STATE BOARD OF REGISTRATION FOR ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, AND LAND SURVEYORS (2018)
  • SME Registered Member, Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (2019)
  • Professional Engineer, South Carolina State Board of Registrations for Professional Engineers and Surveyors (2020)
  • Professional Engineer (Geological), Arizona Board of Technical Registration (2001)
  • Professional Engineer (Geological), Nevada Board of Eningeers and Land Surveyors (2002)
  • Certified Engineering Geologist, California BPELSG (2004)
  • Professional Geologist, California BPELSG (2003)
  • Professional Engineer (Civil), California BPELSG (2004)
  • Professional Engineer, Michigan State Board of Professional Engineers (2010)
  • Professional Engineer, Maryland Board of Professional Engineers (2009)
  • Professional Engineer, New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers (2007)
  • Professional Engineer, Colorado - Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (2006)
  • Professional Engineer, Illinois - State Board of Professional Engineers (2015)
  • Professional Engineer, Utah - Division of Professional Licensing (2015)
  • Professional Engineer, Hawaii -BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS, SURVEYORS & LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS (2013)
  • Professional Engineer, Iowa - Professional Licensing Board (2010)