Thursday, February 6, 2014

The Art Of Mining Engineering

By Carey Bourdier


It appears like anyone can actually start up their own mines and soon be extracting minerals, at least if you believe what you see on TV. With mere basic equipment you expect that you will be digging gold instantly. In truth, this is far from reality where even large-scale mining companies must employ mining engineers to ensure sure that the entire operation runs smoothly every day.

In understanding the theory and science regarding mineral-extraction along with the technology in terms of retrieving these minerals from various sources, a mining engineer is the professional required. For maximizing the value for the minerals extracted, only a mining engineer can process it the best possible way to accomplish this task. Know that there should also be minimal damage to the environment wherefore mining engineers are expected to safely perform all necessary operations with due considerations of the residents, watersheds and all of the animals and plants within the environment where the mining company operates.

In the United States, we mine for a wide variety of minerals. The minerals in question could be metals such as gold, copper, iron ore, cadmium, silver or other important metals. We also mine for a huge variety of industrial minerals such as gypsum, diatomite, and different types of clay, lime, salt, soda ash, zeolites and dozens of other minerals. In addition to these non-fuel types of minerals, we also mine for petroleum, coal, natural gas and other types of fuel sources. Each type of mining poses its own set of difficulties and restrictions and a mining engineer needs to be able to understand all of these intricacies.

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.

Mining engineers not only need at least a four-year degree in mining engineering, many mining engineers also have graduate-level degrees. Some also have degrees in surveying and geology, as well. These engineers are familiar with a large amount of technology as well as many surveying instruments, such as a theodolite, inclinometer and many types of alignment instruments and optical instruments.

For those interested in this type of work, several colleges and universities worldwide will be open for you to attend. There are more than a dozen of these institutions in the United States alone which are accredited in mining engineering including the University of Kentucky, the University of Utah, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, The Colorado School of Mines as well as the Missouri University of Science and Technology.




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