The Mining Industry Needs You
As the world moves toward building a greener future, engineers are discovering opportunities to improve sustainability and reduce society’s impact on the environment. Unknown to many, addressing the needs of a more sustainable future will require us to responsibly mine more raw materials than we ever have in the past. The Mining Engineering program at the University of Utah will prepare you to meet the unique 21st century needs of the mining industry and the world. Our graduates design, operate, manage, and reclaim mines and mining facilities in a profitable, safe, and environmentally responsible manner. As a Mining Engineer, your career can be part of the solution, addressing the future resource demands of our world.
Meet Your Advisor
Pam Hofmann is the Administrative Manager and Undergraduate Academic Advisor. If you need a permission code, please fill out this request form. You may schedule an appointment with her in the Navigate U platform by clicking on the link below. Alternatively, you may call her at 801-585-5176 between the hours of 8AM - 4PM MST or e-mail her anytime at pam.hofmann@utah.edu
Mining Engineers work in mining and mineral extraction facilities. Their work may be office-based, on site, or a combination of both. They are in charge of coordinating and supervising the many activities associated with the digging, extraction, and transportation of materials out of a mine- all the while being mindful of worker’s health and safety. Additionally, Mining Engineers also need to be environmentally aware, finding ways to reduce the negative impact their activities have on nature.
A Mining Engineer’s field of expertise will depend on the type of raw material they specialize in. Since each material requires special tools and methods to successfully extract it, Mining Engineering is an exciting career to embark on due to the vast number of possibilities it presents to design and develop machines, techniques and processes.
As the world moves toward building a greener future, engineers are discovering opportunities to improve sustainability and reduce society’s impact on the environment. They are being tasked with improving infrastructure, utilizing resources more efficiently and developing better technologies and equipment.
Unknown to many, addressing the needs of a more sustainable future will require us to responsibly mine more raw materials than we ever have in the past. Among other things, it will require more steel and concrete to build infrastructure, copper to electrify vehicles, and rare earth elements to build wind turbines.
The Mining Engineering program at the University of Utah prepares you to meet the unique 21st century needs of the mining industry and the world. Our graduates design, operate, manage, and reclaim mines and mining facilities in a profitable, safe, and environmentally responsible manner. As a Mining Engineer your career can be part of the solution, addressing the future resource demands of our world.
The Mining Engineering program combines basic engineering subjects, geology and essential courses in mining. It aims to prepare graduates to discover, evaluate and develop mineral deposits. Individuals with a strong background in mathematics, computer applications, economics, communication skills, and physical sciences will thrive and enjoy a challenging and rewarding undergraduate experience.
Additionally, if you are interested in finding a program with the following attributes, then we are confident the Mining Engineering degree at the University of Utah will prove to be a good fit for you.
- Small Classes
- Faculty interested in your success
- Computer lab with up-to-date mining software
- Annual professional meetings
- Field trips to mine sites your freshman year
- Active recruitment by mining companies
- Summer internships at mine sites around the U.S.
Undergraduate students take courses in math, physics, chemistry, statics and strength of materials, hydraulics, electrical engineering, and thermodynamics.
Students also take structural geology and petrology. Specialized mining engineering courses include underground and surface mining methods, surveying, ventilation, rock mechanics, mine finance, mineral evaluation, and sustainable resource development. Additionally, students also take two technical elective courses which can include topics like data science, computational intelligence, and surveying with drones.
Throughout the curriculum, students participate in laboratory and field work and they culminate their experience with a mine design project. The project requires students to apply skills in math, science, and engineering to solve real world mining engineering problems.
Mining Engineering students are encouraged to become an integral part of the campus community at the University of Utah. Students can participate in a variety of student activities including;
- The Associated Students of the University of Utah, the organization charged with student government
- Inclusive Earth, a group that encourages unity and inclusivity in earth sciences and engineering
- The Utah Freeskier Society, an outdoor recreational club for students who love to ski, or think they might love to ski
- The MUSS, an organization for students interested in attending athletic events and tailgates
Students are also encouraged to participate in the student chapters of professional organizations including Women in Mining, Utah Student Robotics and the Mine Rescue team, who recently took home the first place prize at the 2020 SME ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO Mine Rescue Skill Competition.
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mining Engineering provides students with a versatile education. Throughout industry, mining engineers fill broad roles; from corporate managers to technical specialists to commodity traders.
The majority of graduating students find employment working as engineers for mining and construction companies. Students also pursue employment in government and industry organizations that support mining and extractive industries.
Mining Engineers are in high demand. It is common for students to receive more than three job offers before graduating and starting salaries usually surpass $60,000 per year.
Many of our recent graduates have begun their careers at Rio Tinto, Freeport McMoRan, Kinross Gold, Newmont Mining, Barrick Gold, CONSOL Energy, Peabody Energy, Arch Coal, Foresight Energy, Walter Resource Partners, Graymon, Simplot Phosphate, and Dominion Energy.
Yes. The University of Utah Mining Engineering undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). For more information on ABET visit www.abet.org
"I will be graduating this May with a B.S. in Mining Engineering. As a student in the mining engineering department I have had the help of a friendly student community, supportive department staff, and highly competent professors.
You have chosen an accredited program with ample scholarship opportunities, and many connections to industry-active alumni. Your professors will be committed not only to your education, but also to helping you get internships and eventually to starting your career. If you let them, they will definitely be advocates for your success!
The University of Utah Mining Engineering Department is filled with social, educational and professional opportunities. Make the most of your time at the U - apply yourself, participate in clubs and activities, seek out scholarships and you really can’t go wrong."
- Chase Carroll
Student Organizations
Student organizations can be an important part of your college career. They provide access to opportunities you won’t find anywhere else while helping you build a bigger network, develop leadership skills and make a difference in the community.
Pictured here is the Mine Rescue team as they took home the first place prize at the 2020 SME Conference. The winners were, from left to right: Amy Richins, Stephen Hall, Travis Brammer, Paige Estep, Rebecca Ray, Victor Harrell, Jack Peterson, and Billy Riley. Many thanks to team trainer Victor Harrell, Faculty Advisor Michael Nelson and graduate student Amy Richins for their efforts in the team's success.
Do You Have a Paid Internship?
The #1 experience employers are looking for in recent graduates is that they’ve had at least one internship. Don’t miss out, the majority of our students secure at least one paid internship by the time they graduate. Land your dream internship by begining your search early and by using the various resources available to you.
Sign up for resume reviews at the Career & Professional Development Center, make sure to attend the next STEM career fair on campus, sign up for interviews this fall and watch out for the internship communications we routinely send out via email.
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