From the many reality TV shows you see this day, it looks as though anybody can just start up a mine and begin extracting minerals. All you need is some basic equipment and voila - you are sure to find gold. The reality however is a bit different and large-scale, professional mining companies employ mining engineers to help them during every step of the mining process.
A mining engineer is a professional who understands the theory and science behind the extraction of minerals, as well as understands the technology needed to retrieve these minerals from a variety of sources. In addition, this person also knows how to process the minerals in a way that maximizes their value. This extraction also must occur with a minimum of damage to the environment so a mining engineer also needs to ensure that the mining operation is safe for the employees as well as the area residents, wildlife, watersheds and flora.
The United States has vast mineral deposits and many different minerals are being mined. There are minerals in metal forms including gold, cadmium, silver, iron ore, copper and many more minerals which are significant too. Some also mine for industrial minerals like gypsum, lime, diatomite, different types of clay, salt, zeolites, soda ash and several others. Of course other than the aforementioned non-fuel minerals, some also mine for coal, petroleum and natural gas and more available fuel sources. Mining engineers should then bear the responsibilities of understanding the fact that with the different types of mining being operated also comes corresponding difficulties and restrictions.
To begin a mine operation, a mining engineer is tasked to do a mineral exploration wherein possible sources is being studied for a particular fuel or mineral which then leads to the determination of profit - possible or not, in case a mining operation is pushed through in the identified place. A feasibility study is then expected from the mining engineer where he will have to discuss all possible pros and cons in creating a mine in said area, and possibly make recommendations too with regards to a possible mining operation.
If you wish to become a mining engineer, you need at least a four-year degree in mining engineering, and for many others graduate-level degrees as well. There are those with surveying and geology degrees. Engineers of this nature should be familiar with a huge amount of technology and with several surveying instruments like theodolite, inclinometer and more instruments for alignment and optical needs.
You should know that if such a career opportunity be of interest to you, you may be able to find many colleges and universities all over the world you can go to. Why in the United States, the list is longer than a dozen with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Utah, the University of Kentucky, the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the Colorado School of Mines making up some of the slots.
A mining engineer is a professional who understands the theory and science behind the extraction of minerals, as well as understands the technology needed to retrieve these minerals from a variety of sources. In addition, this person also knows how to process the minerals in a way that maximizes their value. This extraction also must occur with a minimum of damage to the environment so a mining engineer also needs to ensure that the mining operation is safe for the employees as well as the area residents, wildlife, watersheds and flora.
The United States has vast mineral deposits and many different minerals are being mined. There are minerals in metal forms including gold, cadmium, silver, iron ore, copper and many more minerals which are significant too. Some also mine for industrial minerals like gypsum, lime, diatomite, different types of clay, salt, zeolites, soda ash and several others. Of course other than the aforementioned non-fuel minerals, some also mine for coal, petroleum and natural gas and more available fuel sources. Mining engineers should then bear the responsibilities of understanding the fact that with the different types of mining being operated also comes corresponding difficulties and restrictions.
To begin a mine operation, a mining engineer is tasked to do a mineral exploration wherein possible sources is being studied for a particular fuel or mineral which then leads to the determination of profit - possible or not, in case a mining operation is pushed through in the identified place. A feasibility study is then expected from the mining engineer where he will have to discuss all possible pros and cons in creating a mine in said area, and possibly make recommendations too with regards to a possible mining operation.
If you wish to become a mining engineer, you need at least a four-year degree in mining engineering, and for many others graduate-level degrees as well. There are those with surveying and geology degrees. Engineers of this nature should be familiar with a huge amount of technology and with several surveying instruments like theodolite, inclinometer and more instruments for alignment and optical needs.
You should know that if such a career opportunity be of interest to you, you may be able to find many colleges and universities all over the world you can go to. Why in the United States, the list is longer than a dozen with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Utah, the University of Kentucky, the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the Colorado School of Mines making up some of the slots.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier loves writing about precision scientific instruments. For more information about alignment tools such as a maple wood Jacob staff, or to find more information about a telemetric alignment system, check out the Warren Knight site now.
