Find Your Path in Mining & Mineral Resources
Mining involves much more than just digging minerals out of the ground. In order to effectively plan and run a mine, companies must work with experts in many different fields including health, science, engineering, environment, social science, business and law. See the career descriptions below for just a few of the paths you can pursue for a career in the mining industry.
Geologist
Geologists are scientists who understand the rocks, minerals and structures that make up the earth. They play a major role during exploration (finding and characterizing ore deposits), mine planning, mine operations and reclamation of closed mines. Other specialized career fields in geology applied to mining include geophysicists, geochemists and hydrogeologists.
How do I become a geologist?
Most mining geologists have a BS in geology, geoscience or earth science. Many also obtain an MS and PhD. The entry-level degree for many jobs in mining is an MS.
Mining Engineer
Mining engineers understand the entire mining process including the business and management aspects of mining. They use this integrated understanding to design mines, choose the best equipment and best practices for excavating and processing. Some engineers specialize in ventilation (regulating temperature and air quality in underground mines), mine automation and technology (managing the Terabytes of data generated from all the machines and using autonomous vehicles), or business (financing mines).
How do I become a mining engineer?
Most mining engineers have a BS in geological engineering. Some also get an MS, ME or PhD.
Mineral Processing Engineer
Mineral Processing engineers specialize in mineral processing (determining how to separate valuable material from waste rock) and extractive metallurgy (extracting elements from minerals). They also play an important role in managing water quality at the mine site, the energy usage and environmental footprint of mines during and after mining.
Why become a Mineral Processing Engineer?
How do I become a Mineral Processing Engineer?
Most mineral processing engineers have a Bachelor of Science (BS) in mining engineering, extractive metallurgy, mineral engineering or chemical engineering. Some also get an MS, ME or PhD.
Environmental Engineer or Scientist
Environmental engineers and scientists design, build and operate systems that monitor water quality, mitigate dust and other hazards and restore land disturbed by mining activity. Specialists needed to ensure safe environmental conditions during and after mining include hydrologists, biologists, ecologists, chemists, chemical engineers and even electronics engineers.
How do I become an environmental specialist?
Environmental scientists have a BS, MS or PhD in fields such as environmental science, ecology, hydrology or geology. Environmental engineers often have a degree in environmental or chemical engineering.
Health and Safety Specialist
Health and Safety Specialists are responsible for keeping workers safe and healthy on the job. They design equipment and protocols that protect everyone on the job site. Some safety specialists include industrial hygienists (experts in preventing industry related illnesses), Occupational Health and Safety Specialists (experts in the laws and regulations related to safety on the mine site), and Safety Engineers (people who help design safety features of systems and equipment).
How do I become a safety specialist?
Many safety specialists start with a BS in Public Health and some continue on to get a MPH (Master of Public Health).
Data Scientist or Analyst
Data scientists are responsible for handling, processing and interpreting huge data sets in real time. Modern mining means 24-hour, real-time analysis and interpretation of everything from huge autonomous haul trucks to drills to slope movement, water flow rates and water quality. These advancements are only useful if we have advanced computing power as well as experts to design and understand these systems.
How do I become a data analytics engineer?
Experts are needed in many fields relating to big data
COMPUTER AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Interviews with Professionals
Interactive Map: UArizona Alumni's Global Careers
From Indonesia to Alaska, explore our interactive global map and see where University of Arizona Mining & Geological Engineering alumni and students have been and the exciting things they've done!
There you can navigate the different companies and roles our mining engineers have been a part of.
Take your next step to learn more about mining by scheduling a meeting with a recruiter, professor, student. Whether you're curious about our courses, eager to explore our campus, or just want to learn more about the mining industry, we've got a variety of options for you to choose from