Mining engineering is one of the most interesting branches of engineering which studies general engineering course followed by professional mining classes in drilling and blasting, materials handling, rock mechanics, mine health and safety, mine ventilation, mine cost engineering, ore reserve analysis, operations analysis, mine planning and minerals processing.Mining engineers are needed in mineral extraction and other fields where the earth's crust is utilized. The construction industry, with its requirements of developing roads, railroads, tunnels, and underground chambers, and the hazardous waste disposal industry are examples of such applications. These are rapidly expanding needs with a shortage of competent people; the mining engineer is well qualified to meet these needs. The importance of ecological and environmental planning is recognized and given significant attention in all aspects of the mining engineering curriculum.
The main function of mining engineers is to put the knowledge of scientific theories, engineering fundamentals and developed technologies to discover and recover natural resources in a profitable manner.
Courses & Eligibility
Mining engineering courses are offered at various levels of study viz. diploma, undergraduate (like BE and B.Tech), postgraduate (like MTech) and research like PhD.
There are many engineering colleges and universities in India offering courses in Mining Engineering, to name a few are the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), ISM, Dhanbad, Institute of Technology, BHU, Banaras and National Institutes of Technology.
A candidate aspiring for BE/BTech in mining engineering should have completed +2 Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Admission to any of the colleges is made on the basis of engineering entrance examination like IITJEE in case of IITs and several other entrance examinations at state level.
Mining engineers require a strong background in Mathematics, computer application, Economics, Physics as well as Chemistry.
Career Prospects
Career in mining engineering is tremendous. Mining engineers are responsible for locating and safely extracting natural reserves like petroleum, minerals etc. The duties of mining professionals also include designing, planning, excavation of minerals and their transportation, maintenance of mines, air circulation and removal of toxic gases from the mines. There are some specialized branches like Mining Electronics, Mining Machinery and Mineral Mngineering that mining engineers can opt for.
Mining engineers find employment opportunities both in government as well as private sector. Companies like the ONGC, Coal India, Geological Survey of India, HCL, IPCL, Neyvelli Lignite Corp., NALCO, TISCO, TELCO, Reliance and MNCs like British Gas and Schlumberger recruit graduates directly from the top campuses like ISM and IITs.
The National Institute of Rock Mechanics, Kolar Gold Fields (Kar), recruits mining graduates/postgraduates as Project Fellows.
Diploma-holders in mining engineering with a Mines Foreman's Certificate of Competency from DGMS are recruited as Sr Operative Trainees. Companies like NALCO pay a decent stipend for the duration of training (18-mth).
Pay-Package
Starting salaries of mining engineers is among the highest in the engineering profession. The starting pay-package for a fresh pass put from any average engineering college ranges between Rs.15, 000 and Rs.25, 000. The salary increases with skills and experience. Fresh graduates from IITs and NITs get more salary as compared to other engineering colleges.
Institutes/Universities
These are some elite institutions in India offering courses in Mining Engineering. You can also check state-wise list of engineering colleges that may be offering courses in mining engineering.
• Indian Institutes of Technology
• National Institutes of Technology
• Jadavpur University, Kolkata
• Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University
• Indian School of Mines (ISM)
• Bengal Engineering College