Occupation Summary

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

O*NET 17-2151.00

Description:

Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.

Annual Wages:
$107,327.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 19.70%.
Education Level:
Bachelor's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
STEM

  1. Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
  2. Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
  3. Examine maps, deposits, drilling locations, or mines to determine the location, size, accessibility, contents, value, and potential profitability of mineral, oil, and gas deposits.
  4. Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
  5. Monitor mine production rates to assess operational effectiveness.
  6. Design, implement, and monitor the development of mines, facilities, systems, or equipment.
  7. Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
  8. Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
  9. Implement and coordinate mine safety programs, including the design and maintenance of protective and rescue equipment and safety devices.
  10. Test air to detect toxic gases and recommend measures to remove them, such as installation of ventilation shafts.
  11. Design, develop, and implement computer applications for use in mining operations such as mine design, modeling, or mapping or for monitoring mine conditions.
  12. Select or devise materials-handling methods and equipment to transport ore, waste materials, and mineral products efficiently and economically.
  13. Devise solutions to problems of land reclamation and water and air pollution, such as methods of storing excavated soil and returning exhausted mine sites to natural states.
  14. Lay out, direct, and supervise mine construction operations, such as the construction of shafts and tunnels.
  15. Evaluate data to develop new mining products, equipment, or processes.
  16. Conduct or direct mining experiments to test or prove research findings.
  17. Design mining and mineral treatment equipment and machinery in collaboration with other engineering specialists.
  18. Supervise, train, and evaluate technicians, technologists, survey personnel, engineers, scientists or other mine personnel.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers employed Annual Growth Rate
Architectural, engineering, and related services 39 0.67
Metal ore mining 14 0.00
Coal mining 9.4 -5.44
Other specialty trade contractors 5 0.00
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services 3 0.00
Nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying 2.9 0.00
Scientific research and development services 2.8 0.00


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $51.60
2024 National average hourly wage $52.37
2022 National employment 7,500
2022 Texas employment 396
Texas projected employment by 2032 474
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 32




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
89.40%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
88.80%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
71.40%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
71.20%
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
71.20%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
67.40%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
65.60%
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
65.00%
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
64.00%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
62.60%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
82.40%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
80.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
80.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
80.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
80.00%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
80.00%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
77.60%
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
75.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
75.00%
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
75.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
80.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
80.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
80.00%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
80.00%
Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
80.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
80.00%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
80.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
80.00%
Mathematical Reasoning
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
77.60%


  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Processing Information
    -- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Other Activities


  • Support
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
  • Working Conditions
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.



Tools

Clinometers: Clinometers;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Gas detectors: Combustible gas detectors;

Geological compasses: Stratum compasses; Directional compasses;

Global positioning system GPS receiver: Global positioning system GPS receivers;

Hammers: Geological hammers;

High capacity removable media drives: Universal serial bus USB flash drives;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Plotter printers: Digital plotters; Color plotting printers;

Pocket calculator: Handheld calculators;

Scanners: Computer scanners;

Tape measures: Measuring tapes;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: Gemcom PCBC; Gemcom Surpac; Gemcom Whittle; GEO-SLOPE GeoStudio; Hellman & Schofield MP3; Maptek Vulcan; Ohio Automation Integrated Computer Aided Mine Planning System ICAMPS; MineSight; Modular Mining Systems DISPATCH; Overland Conveyor Belt Analyst; RungePincockMinarco XPAC; Schlumberger PIPESIM; Trimble Geomatics Office; Ventsim; Statistical software;

Cloud-based data access and sharing software: Microsoft SharePoint;

Clustering software: VMware;

Computer aided design CAD software: Promine; Autodesk AutoCAD; Carlson SurvCADD; Computer aided design and drafting CADD software;

Data base user interface and query software: GijimaAst Mining Solutions International Mine2-4D; Microsoft Access; MySQL; Mincom MineScape; Minemax iGantt; Oracle Database; Structure query language SQL;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: Enterprise resource planning ERP software; Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne; SAP software;

Financial analysis software: RungePincockMinarco XERAS;

Map creation software: Site mapping software;

Network security or virtual private network VPN management software: CyberArk;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: Microsoft Windows;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Project management software: Microsoft Project; Oracle Primavera Systems;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word; Word processing software;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers include:
  • 17-2041.00 Chemical Engineers
  • 17-3022.00 Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • 17-2051.00 Civil Engineers
  • 17-2081.00 Environmental Engineers
  • 19-4043.00 Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
  • 11-3051.02 Geothermal Production Managers
  • 17-2112.00 Industrial Engineers
  • 17-2161.00 Nuclear Engineers
  • 17-2171.00 Petroleum Engineers
  • 17-2051.02 Water/Wastewater Engineers


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about mining and geological engineers, visit: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration
  • For information about general engineering education and career resources, visit: American Society for Engineering Education
  • Technology Student Association
  • For more information about licensure as a mining or geological engineer, visit: National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
  • National Society of Professional Engineers
  • For information about accredited engineering programs, visit: ABET
  • Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.