Unit One

Introduction
In this unit, you will learn the role a Mine Engineer
and what Mine Engineering is about. As well, we
will look at working conditions, employment
opportunities, and wages
After completing this unit, you should be able to:
 Knows what Mine Engineering is about
 Explain what a Mine Engineer does.
 Understands what a "profession" is.
 Lists some related mining occupations
 Understands some basic mining terms
What is Mine Engineering?

Mine Engineering is a branch of

engineering chiefly concerned with
the discovery, development, and
exploitation of ores and minerals.

Mine Engineering is a "profession".

 What is a Mine Engineer?
A Mine Engineer is a trained
engineer with the knowledge
of the science, economics,
and arts of mineral location,
extraction, concentration and
sale, and the administrative
and financial problems of
importance in connection
with the profitable conduct of
mining.
 Mining Engineers, What Do They do?
The Mine Plan, at right, shows the
design of a Open Pit, Heap Leach
Gold Mine. Note that it includes
roads, storage structures for
overburden (excess material that
has no economic value), facilities,
heap leach pad, and the open pit
mine.
A mine of this size typically employs
200-400 people in high paying
jobs, and contributes hundreds of
million dollars per year to the
local economy.
This photo shows a
open pit mine, similar
to the mine in the
design plan. A Mine
Engineer is
responsible for all
operations from
planning to
implementation.
This topographic plan shows
the various cross sections
of the mine that are
constructed for design,
stability, to determine the
ore body size/shape and
how to most economically
mine it, along with other
analysis in the design of
the mine. Several cross
sections sites are shown.
Cross-sections and
plans are used for
mine planning and
mine layout.
What is a Profession?
Engineering is a profession, but what is a profession? The
occupations commonly referred to as professions include law,
medicine, ministry, teaching, architecture, and engineering.
These vocations have some common characteristics:

 Associated with a profession is a great body of special

knowledge.
 Preparation for a profession includes training in applying
that knowledge.
 The standards of a profession are maintained at a high
level through the force of organization or concerted
opinion.
 Each member of a profession recognizes his or her
responsibilities to the public over and above
responsibilities to clients or to other members of the
profession.
 The Historical Approach to Defining a Profession
 In medieval times “to profess” meant to make a public
declaration.
 First referred to religious vows, then any solemn vow
 oaths were important in maintaining social control
 in medieval time church had monopoly on learning
 16th century – learned knowledge was attached to the term
“profession”
 “Profession” first meant the battery of oaths – then the
vocation entered after those oaths.
Rules of Conduct
 Have proper regard for
safety & welfare of all
persons and protection of
the environment .
 Conduct only work that you
are competent to perform
 Sign and stamp only plans,
drawings etc. that you have
prepared or thoroughly
reviewed
 Be faithful agent for clients
and employers
Working Conditions
 The average worker in the
coal mining industry worked
44.9 hours a week in 2000;
workers in metal mining, and
nonmetallic minerals, except
fuels, worked an average of
43.7 and 46.2 hours a week,
respectively.

Work environments vary by occupation. Scientists and technicians

work in office buildings and laboratories, while miners and mining
engineers spend much of their time in the mine. Geologists who
specialize in the exploration of natural resources may have to travel
for extended periods to remote locations, in all types of climates, in
order to locate mineral or coal deposits.
Working Conditions
 Working conditions in mines and quarries can be unusual
and sometimes dangerous. Underground mines are damp
and dark, and some can be very hot. At times, several
inches of water may cover tunnel floors. Although
underground mines have electric lights, only the lights on
miners’ caps illuminate many areas. Workers in mines with
very low roofs may have to work on their hands and knees,
backs, or stomachs, in confined spaces. In underground
mining operations, dangers include the possibility of an
explosion or cave-in, electric shock, or exposure to harmful
gases.
Working Conditions
 Workers in surface mines and quarries are subject to
rugged outdoor work in all kinds of weather and climates.
Some surface mines shut down in the winter, because snow
and ice covering the mine site makes work too difficult.
Physical strength and stamina are necessary, because the
work involves lifting, stooping, and climbing. Surface
mining, however, usually is less hazardous than
underground mining.
Employment
 Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety
engineers, held about 6,500 jobs in 2000. While one-half
worked in the mining industry, other mining engineers
worked in government agencies or engineering consulting
firms.
 Mining engineers usually are employed at the location of
natural deposits, often near small communities, and
sometimes outside the United States. Those in research
and development, management, consulting, or sales,
however, often are located in metropolitan areas.
Employment
 Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety
engineers, held about 6,500 jobs in 2000. While one-half
worked in the mining industry, other mining engineers
worked in government agencies or engineering consulting
firms.
 Mining engineers usually are employed at the location of
natural deposits, often near small communities, and
sometimes outside the United States. Those in research
and development, management, consulting, or sales,
however, often are located in metropolitan areas.
Related Occupations
Professional and related workers in mining and quarrying include engineering,
scientific, and technical personnel. Environmental scientists and geoscientists
search for locations likely to yield coal or mineral ores in sufficient quantity to
justify extraction costs. Using sophisticated technologies and equipment, such as
the Global Positioning System (GPS)—a satellite system that locates points on the
earth using radio signals transmitted by satellites—surveyors help map areas for
mining.
Mining and geological engineers examine seams for depth and purity, determine
the type of mine to build, and supervise the construction, maintenance, and
operation of mines. Mechanical engineers oversee the installation of equipment,
such as heat and water systems; <>oversee the installation and maintenance of
electrical equipment; civil engineers oversee the building and construction of
minesites, plants, roads, and other infrastructure; safety engineers direct health
and safety programs; chemical engineers develop the chemical processes for
transforming mined products into consumer goods, such as medications and
fertilizers; and materials engineers determine the usefulness of mined ore and
also develop processes for transforming the minerals into products.
Related Occupations
There are many different types of jobs associated with mining and they all have different
requirements. It is important to remember that the more training and education you have,
the higher the level of job you can get. The current trend in mining is towards multi-tasking,
which means that employees are trained to do more than one specific job. Skills learned in
mining jobs are transferable to other careers.
ENTRY LEVEL JOBS
•These jobs require little or no previous experience. Some mines provide on-the-job training.
You must be able to read and write, though some require at least a Grade 12 level of
education.
• Labourer loads, moves, cleans up, etc.
• Janitor/Dryman keeps the mine clean
• Blast Helper helps load explosives into drill holes
• Driller's Assistant helps operate/move the drill, handles drill core
• Equipment Operator drives dozers, graders, loaders, trucks, etc.
• Geophysical Asst. operates geophysical equipment, records data
 Mechanic's Helper helps clean, oil, test, and fix equipment
 Electrician's Helper helps run wires, check & fix electrical equipment
 Surveyor's Helper holds stakes & rods, carries equipment
 Crusher Operator runs the controls setting the amount of rock going
into the crushers
 Sampler collects ore samples for testing
 Grinding Operator runs the equipment which does the rock crushing
 Flotation Operator runs the tanks which mix chemicals into crushed
rock and water
 Reagent Operator works with a machine that mixes chemicals into
tanks filled with powdered rock and water
 Dewatering Operator runs the filter that gets water out of crushed rock
 Cook's Helper helps prepare and serve food
 Warehouse Person works in warehouse, stocking inventory
TECHNICAL JOBS
These jobs need a technical college diploma. Generally, these are one or two year
programs.
 Mining Technician helps mining engineer with underground surveys, plans
 Environmental Technician makes sure environmental rules are followed
 Engineering Technician makes drawings of machines, buildings, systems
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL
These jobs require a college diploma. Technology programs are generally two to four
years in length.
 Mill Maintenance Foreman makes sure mill equipment is maintained in good
working order
 Electrical Foreman supervises electrical workers, trains them
 Mine Foreman supervises mine workers, makes daily work plans, trains workers
 Mill Foreman supervises mill workers, makes daily work plans, trains workers
 Safety Officer ensures healthy working conditions, sets safety rules
 Warehouse Supervisor keeps warehouse in order, keeps records of materials
stocked
PROFESSIONAL
These jobs require you have a university degree.
 Geologist explores for ore bodies, advises whether to mine and
where ore is to be found in mine
 Mechanical Engineer designs new machinery
 Mining Engineer decides on best way to get ore out, helps to
design whole mining operation
 Accountant keeps financial records
 Nurse tends to injuries, ensures safe, healthy work environment
 Manager of Training plans, teaches training courses
 Human Resources Manager recruits, hires, plans what workers are
needed, pay levels and training
 Materials Manager decides what supplies are needed
 General Manager makes sure everything in the whole business is
running as best it can
JOBS SERVING THE MINING INDUSTRY
There are many other jobs that are associated with the mining industry. A lot of
companies sub-contract out different parts of the mining process. You can create
your own opportunities by providing goods and services to the industry. Some
examples of jobs related to mining are:
 Prospecting Maintenance Trenching
 Camp Management Cooking
 Diamond Drilling Remote Communications
 Road Maintenance Supplying Construction Materials
 Equipment Rental Camp Construction
 Expediting Staking Claims
 Security Line cutting
 Trucking Geophysical Surveying
 Sampling Supplying Food
Training/Advancement
 Workers in mining and quarrying production occupations must be
at least 18 years old, in good physical condition, and able to work
in confined spaces. A high school diploma is not necessarily
required.
 Most workers start as helpers to experienced workers and learn
skills on the job; however, formal training is becoming more
important, as more technologically advanced machinery and
mining methods are used. Some employers prefer to hire recent
graduates of high school vocational programs in mining or
graduates of junior college or technical school programs in mine
technology. Such programs usually are found only at schools in
mining areas.
APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
Apprenticeship is usually a four year training program where you take short courses and get paid to
participate in on the job training. When you are finished, you become certified for the job you
are doing. With certification, you make more money, are able to work on your own, can train
others, and can find jobs more easily. To start an apprenticeship you must find an employer
who will take you on. There are many jobs in mining that you could do an apprenticeship for if
you have enough education.
The following is a list of jobs in mining for which you could take apprenticeship training if you have
the education needed:
 Carpenter grade 10 Cook grade 10
 Electrician grade 12 Heavy Dutt Mechanic grade 10
 Heavy Duty Equipment Operator Grade 8 Industrial Instrument Mechanic grade 12
 Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Grade 10 Machinist grade 10
 Plumber grade 10 Steamfitter/Pipefitter grade 10
 Welder grade 10
Training/Advancement
As production workers gain more experience, they can advance to higher
paying jobs requiring greater skill. A mining machine operator’s helper,
for example, may become an operator. When vacancies occur,
announcements are posted, and all qualified workers can bid for the
job. Positions are filled on the basis of seniority and ability. Miners with
significant experience or special training also can become mine safety
inspectors. According to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health
Administration, an inspector needs at least 5 years' experience as a
miner, or a degree in mining engineering.
Training/Advancement
 For professional and managerial positions in mining and
quarrying, a master’s degree in engineering, one of the
physical sciences, or business administration, is preferred.
A number of colleges and universities have mining schools
or departments and programs in mining or minerals.
 Additionally, specialized mine technology programs are
offered by a few colleges. Enrollment in these programs
can lead to a certificate in mine technology after 1 year, an
associate degree after 2 years, or a bachelor’s degree after
4 years. Courses cover areas such as mine ventilation, roof
bolting, and machinery repairs.
Wages
 Average earnings in mining and quarrying were significantly
higher than the average for all industries. In 2000, production
workers throughout private industry averaged $13.74 an hour,
compared with $19.40 an hour in coal mining, $19.04 an hour in
metal mining, and $15.62 an hour in nonmetallic minerals mining.
Workers in underground mines also tend to earn more per hour
than do miners on the surface.
 Average earnings of non-supervisory workers in mining and
quarrying, 2000
Industry segment Weekly Hourly
Total, private industry $474 $13.74
Mining $770 17.14
Coal mining $871 19.40
Metal mining $832 19.04
Nonmetallic mining $722 15.62
BASIC TERMS
a. ORE
 ORE is a concentration of minerals that can be mined
processed and marketed at a PROFIT. It is economically
defined.
 (A distinction must be made between ORE and ORE
MINERALS. A deposit of ore minerals in geological terms is
not always an ore deposit.)
 While an ore mineral is a mineral from which a metal can
feasibly be extracted, an ore deposit (or an orebody) is a
mass of rock from which a metal or mineral can be
profitably produced. What is, or is not, becomes dependent
upon economic, technological, and political factors as well
as geological criteria.
b). WASTE
 Within a given mineral deposit ore minerals are normally
associated with other minerals which are less valuable or lack
value. These are termed GANGUE MINERALS . The rock which
does not contain an adequate percentage of ore minerals to be
economically valuable as a source of these minerals is called
WASTE.
 Waste, like ore, is an economic rather than a geologic term, and
changing technology, economic, or political conditions may
change waste to ore, or back again, many times. For example, the
Mount Morgan gold/copper mine in Australia underwent four life
cycles. The first was when gold was easily extracted by gravity
separation. The second was when flotation processes were
introduced and copper sulfide could be recovered. The third was
when mining shifted from selective underground mining to open
pit bulk mining. The fourth was hydrometallurgical processing of
"waste" materials.
d) Exploration -
The work involved in looking for ore, Prospecting.
e) Development
The work carried out to bring an orebody into production.
f) Production
The work involved in mining and producing ore/metal for
market.
g) Orebody
The part of the vein that carries ore
h) Overburden
Tthe valueless dirt and material overlying the pay zone