Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

17-2151.00

Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
• Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
• Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
• Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
• Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
• Monitor mine production rates to assess operational effectiveness.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate technicians, technologists, survey personnel, engineers, scientists or other mine personnel.
• Examine maps, deposits, drilling locations, or mines to determine the location, size, accessibility, contents, value, and potential profitability of mineral, oil, and gas deposits.
• Design, implement, and monitor the development of mines, facilities, systems, or equipment.
• Test air to detect toxic gases and recommend measures to remove them, such as installation of ventilation shafts.
• Implement and coordinate mine safety programs, including the design and maintenance of protective and rescue equipment and safety devices.
• Devise solutions to problems of land reclamation and water and air pollution, such as methods of storing excavated soil and returning exhausted mine sites to natural states.
• Lay out, direct, and supervise mine construction operations, such as the construction of shafts and tunnels.
• Design, develop, and implement computer applications for use in mining operations such as mine design, modeling, or mapping or for monitoring mine conditions.
• Select or devise materials-handling methods and equipment to transport ore, waste materials, and mineral products efficiently and economically.
• Evaluate data to develop new mining products, equipment, or processes.
• Design mining and mineral treatment equipment and machinery in collaboration with other engineering specialists.
• Conduct or direct mining experiments to test or prove research findings.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Gemcom PCBC; Gemcom Surpac; Gemcom Whittle; GEO-SLOPE GeoStudio; Hellman & Schofield MP3; Maptek Vulcan; MineSight; Modular Mining Systems DISPATCH; Ohio Automation Integrated Computer Aided Mine Planning System ICAMPS; Overland Conveyor Belt Analyst; RungePincockMinarco XPAC; Schlumberger PIPESIM; Statistical software; Trimble Geomatics Office; Ventsim
• Cloud-based data access and sharing software - Microsoft SharePoint 🔥
• Clustering software - VMware
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD ; Carlson SurvCADD; Computer aided design and drafting CADD software; Promine
• Data base user interface and query software - GijimaAst Mining Solutions International Mine2-4D; Microsoft Access 🔥; Mincom MineScape; Minemax iGantt; MySQL 🔥; Oracle Database 🔥; Structure query language SQL
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Enterprise resource planning ERP software; Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne; SAP software 🔥
• Financial analysis software - RungePincockMinarco XERAS
• Map creation software - Site mapping software
• Network security or virtual private network VPN management software - CyberArk
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Microsoft Windows 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥; Oracle Primavera Systems
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Prepare technical reports for internal use.
• Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
• Determine operational methods.
• Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
• Prepare detailed work plans.
• Estimate operational costs.
• Schedule operational activities.
• Prepare operational reports.
• Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.
• Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
• Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
• Review technical documents to plan work.
• Design structures or facilities.
• Design industrial equipment.
• Investigate safety of work environment.
• Advise others on health and safety issues.
• Coordinate safety or regulatory compliance activities.
• Resolve operational performance problems.
• Direct construction activities.
• Develop software or computer applications.
• Develop technical methods or processes.
• Analyze design or requirements information for mechanical equipment or systems.