Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

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.

SOC: 17-2151.00

Common Job Titles

Mine EngineerMining ConsultantMining EngineerProject Engineer

What You'll Need to Succeed

AI-generated

Key competencies for this occupation at a glance

  • KnowledgeDesign ground support systems and extraction processes applying engineering principles and safety standards for environmentally sound underground construction.
  • KnowledgeFormulate mine safety programs and operational protocols coordinating with interdisciplinary teams to address complex problem-solving scenarios.
  • KnowledgeSynthesize geological survey data with production and processing requirements using specialized mining software such as Vulcan or MineSight to optimize extraction strategies.
  • KnowledgeDevelop mine development plans and extraction schedules coordinating multi-disciplinary engineering teams and managing financial resources independently.
  • KnowledgeEvaluate geological conditions and subsurface characteristics for mining site development using survey data and geographic information systems to ensure safe and economical extraction.
  • KnowledgeAnalyze mine safety data and hazard assessments to identify unsafe geological conditions and equipment risks in compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • KnowledgeAssess mining equipment specifications and ground support requirements using CAD software and engineering calculations under time and resource constraints.
  • Hands-onOperate surveying equipment and GPS receivers conducting field surveys to measure subsurface conditions and geological formations.
  • Hands-onExecute site inspections of mining operations and underground structures following established safety protocols to identify hazardous working conditions.
  • MindsetAdvocate for safe mining practices and environmental stewardship when consulting with stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and operational teams.
  • KnowledgeInterpret technical engineering specifications and regulatory compliance standards communicating findings to supervisors, subordinates, and external stakeholders.
  • MindsetIntegrate personnel safety priorities with production efficiency goals when negotiating project timelines and resource allocation with management.
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

6,770

Wage Distribution by Percentile

MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$62,500
10% of workers earn the following or more$163,740
Workers on average earn$108,940

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • Engineering and Technology4.5/5
  • Mathematics4.4/5
  • English Language3.6/5
  • Production and Processing3.6/5
  • Design3.6/5
Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

Autodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DBentley MicroStationMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordMySQLOracle DatabaseSAP software

Technology Skills

Business software applicationsCarlson SurvCADDComputer aided design and drafting CADD softwareCyberArkEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareGEO-SLOPE GeoStudioGemcom PCBCGemcom Surpac

Tools & Equipment

ClinometersColor plotting printersCombustible gas detectorsComputer scannersDesktop computersDigital plottersDirectional compassesGeological hammers