Mineral engineering is concerned with the exploration for and development 

of minerals and earth materials in the most efficient manner while protecting the 

environment. The undergraduate program is oriented toward developing the 

student’s sense for and skill in engineering design. The objective of the department 

is to provide the student with an education in the fundamentals of engineering that 

will allow immediate entry into industry or research work while providing a good 

opportunity for continued professional growth. Emphasis is placed on developing 

a responsible professional with a sense of social awareness. The curriculum includes 

basic engineering principles that provide the foundation for applied engineering design 

concepts. The program provides a concentrated study in mechanics, mineral evaluation 

and economics, ground and environmental control, environmental issues, and project 

management. 

Engineering design is introduced in courses covering surface and underground mining, 

ventilation, mineral processing, equipment selection, drilling and blasting, soil and rock 

mechanics, hydraulic structures, and geomechanics. Instruction in the environmental 

aspects of minerals development and production include mine permitting and reclamation, 

extending to the legal issues and concerns in natural resources development.  

A large-scale design project is undertaken in the senior year. This project integrates 

engineering principles and design in one of four areas: economic evaluation and 

exploration for mineral properties; design and planning of a mining project; the planning 

and implementation of geotechnical construction projects, such as landfills, tailings 

impoundments, earth dams, and structures, or explosives engineering. 

The department has modern well-equipped laboratories 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 mining 

facility and drill rigs to allow students valuable hands-on experience in solving mineral 

engineering problems. Students are provided the opportunity to work on a wide range 

of applied research projects within both the Department and the Institute. Students 

are encouraged to obtain summer jobs available in mines across the Southwest,  

providing excellent industrial experience

Mineral Engineering Undergraduate Program
Courses Offered this Semester and Next Semester  

(Select Class Schedule, Mineral Engineering)
 

COONEY MINING CLUB

The Cooney Mining Club is a student chapter of the Society of Mining Engineers 

of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. The students actively participate 

in both local and
national mining competitions as well as attend national mining meetings. The students are
responsible for maintaining the Waldo mine facility and often use the mine site for club and 
other Department functions. Semester activities often include field trips to mining operations 

as well as attending monthly S.M.E. chapter dinner meetings. Students from other programs 

such as Geosciences, Metallurgy, and Environmental Engineering often join the Club. Such 

participation enriches the Club activities and provides cross-discipline activities.