What is Mineral Engineering?
Mineral Engineering is a non-traditional
mining program that builds upon
the more traditional degrees of geological
engineering and mining engineering.
The program is designed to meet the needs
of the changing industries of mining
and construction. The undergraduate
curriculum provides a strong foundation in science
(chemistry, physics, and geology), math,
and engineering science and includes
basic engineering principles and fundamentals
in applied engineering design
concepts. Junior and senior courses provide
concentrated studies in the mechanics
and control of earth materials; mineral
explorations, evaluation, and economics;
environmental issues; and the design and
operation of surface and underground mines.
Engineering design is introduced in courses
covering surface and underground
mining, ventilation, mineral processing,
equipment selection, drilling and blasting,
soil and rock mechanics, engineering aspects
of surface and ground water, and
geomechanics. Instruction in environmental
aspects of project development and
mineral production includes mine permitting
and reclamation as well as legal and
regulatory issues in the use of natural
resources.
A large-scale design
project is undertaken in the senior year. The project integrates
engineering principles and design in one
of three areas: economic evaluation and
exploration for mineral properties, design
and planning of mining projects, the planning
and implementation of geotechnical
construction projects such as a solid waste landfill,
tailings impoundment, earth dam, and structures,
or the control of blasting vibrations
through carefully designed drilling and
blasting.
The department has modern, well-equipped
labs for instruction and research in soil
and rock mechanics, ventilation, blast
vibrations, mineral evaluation, and computer
applications. The department also
maintains its own experimental underground mine
for instruction and research use by the
students and faculty. In addition, students often
work with faculty members on research
and consulting projects both in the labs at in the
field at mine site. Such opportunities
allow the student valuable hands-on experience
in solving mining/mineral-related and
geotechnical problems.
Minor in Mining
The Department offers a Minor
in Mineral Engineering for students with interests in mining
careers and majoring in related science
and engineering programs at Tech.
Women in Mining
Increasing numbers of women
and minorities have been entering the minerals engineering
fields. New Mexico Tech leads all other
mining schools with 50-80% female enrollment in
mineral engineering compared to the 20%
nationwide average.
Employment After Graduation
Our students have successfully found employment
in the mining industry in minerals exploration,
and assessment, the planning and design
of mines, or in production management.
In construction-related industries, our
students have joined consulting or construction firms, or
have been employed as quality control
engineers or project engineers. Some have advanced to
project managers. Job opportunities in
research and with government agencies are also available.
Some of the companies employing our students include
Metal Mining
Coal Mining
Industrial Minerals
Research
Phelps Dodge
Pittsburgh &
TXU
Waste Isolation
Midway Coal Mississippi
Potash Inc. Pilot Project
(WIPP)
Cyprus-Amax
BHP Billiton
Sandia National Laboratories
Molycorp
Explosives Applications
Consulting
Manufacturing and Sales
Ensign Bickford
Co.
Knight-Peisholt
Boart-Longyear
Orica
Souder-Miller
Advanced Degrees After Graduation
Our program also gives students an excellent
background for seeking advanced degrees,
whether at New Mexico Tech, or elsewhere.
New Mexico Tech offers a Master
of Science degree in Mineral Engineering with many specialties.