Mining Engineering

Program Description

Mining engineering is a broad profession, which embraces all required activities to facilitate the recovery of valuable metals and minerals from the earth’s crust for the benefit of humanity. It is one of the oldest engineering professions, which continues to grow in importance. Everything in our "built world" requires metals and minerals, or tools and machinery required for construction and manufacturing.  An adequate supply of mineral products at competitive prices is the lifeblood of the continuing growth of industrialized nations and the foundation of progress for the developing countries.

The function of the mining engineer is to apply knowledge of pertinent scientific theory, engineering fundamentals, and improved technology to recover natural resources. Mining is a world-wide activity involving the extraction of nonmetallic and metallic ores of all kinds, as well as solid fuel and energy sources such as coal and nuclear materials. In addition to mineral extraction, the skills of mining engineers are also needed in a variety of fields where the earth’s crust is utilized, such as the underground construction industry. The construction industry, with its requirements of developing earth (rock) systems, tunnels and underground chambers, and the hazardous waste disposal industry are examples of such applications. These are expanding needs, with a shortage of competent people; the mining engineer is well qualified to meet these needs.

The importance of environmental and societal impacts is recognized and given significant attention in all aspects of the mining engineering curriculum.

Mines Mining Engineering students study the principles and techniques of mineral exploration, and underground and surface mining operations, as well as, mineral processing technologies. Studies include rock mechanics, rock fragmentation, plant and mine design, mine ventilation, surveying, valuation, industrial hygiene, mineral law, mine safety, computing, mineral processing, solution mining and operations research. Throughout the mining engineering curriculum, a constant effort is made to maintain a balance between theoretical principles and their engineering applications. The mining engineering graduate is qualified for positions in engineering, supervision, and research.

The department recognizes the high expectations that industry has for our graduates as well as the responsibility we have to prepare our students for successful professional careers. To be successful, it is imperative that mining graduates possess an ever-growing set of technical skills, knowledge, and expertise. Beyond the technical aspects of basic sciences, engineering fundamentals, and problem-solving, mining engineering graduates must also acquire a host of other skills which are essential in today’s global economy.

These include:

• The ability to work in interdisciplinary teams and communicate effectively to different types of audiences.
• An appreciation of the social, political, and economic realities of different cultures, countries, and indigenous peoples.
• An understanding of the global role mineral extraction and resource development have on local, regional, and international levels.
• The desire for continuing and lifelong education, intellectual and professional development, analysis, and creativity.
• The need to maintain high professional and ethical standards.
• The importance of self-confidence, conviction, and compassion.
• The skills critical to leadership and supervision.

Put simply, our vision for the Mining Engineering Department is to be internationally recognized as the world’s premiere center for education and applied research in the diverse fields of mining and underground construction and tunneling. This vision spans across numerous interdisciplinary areas of study. Through collaborations with other Mines departments, academic institutions, government agencies, and industry, we are committed to expanding the international reputation of the Department for excellence in education, research, industry service, and community outreach.

 The Mining Engineering Department's program objectives are:

1. Have knowledge of and skills in engineering fundamentals to solve complex and open-ended mining and earth systems-related problems.
2. Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills relevant to their chosen profession.
3. Several years after leaving Mines, our graduates will achieve professional growth.

The Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mining Engineering. 

Department Head

Bill Zisch

Associate Department Head

H. Sebnem Duzgun

Professors

Corby Anderson

Kadri Dagdelen

H. Sebnem Düzgün

Linda Figueroa

Priscilla P. Nelson

Jamal Rostami

Associate Professors

Veronica Eliasson

Elizabeth Holley

Rennie Kaunda

Jaeheon Lee

Hugh B. Miller

Nicole Smith

Gabriel Walton

Teaching Assistant Professor

Heather Lammers

Professors of Practice

Paul Zink

Research Professor

D. Erik Spiller

Research Assistant Professor

Aaron Malone

Program Educational Objectives (Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering)

In addition to contributing toward achieving the educational objectives described in the CSM Graduate profile and the ABET accreditation criteria, the educational objectives which the Mining Engineering Department aspires to accomplish can be seen in the attributes of our graduates. The graduate will:

• Obtain professional positions in minerals or related industries, government, or pursue graduate education;
• Demonstrate advancement in their chosen careers through strong technical skills , work on interdisciplinary teams and diverse environments, effective communication, knowledge of current issues, and high standard of ethical conduct;
• Engage in appropriate professional societies and continuing education activities to achieve professional  growth

Student Learning Outcomes

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Curriculum

The Mining Engineering curriculum is devised to facilitate the widest employability of CSM graduates. The curriculum is based on scientific engineering and geologic fundamentals and the application of these fundamentals to design and operate mines and to create structures in rock and prepare mine products for the market. To achieve this goal, the curriculum is designed to ensure that the graduates:

• become broad based mining engineers who can tackle the problems of both hard and soft rock mining, regardless of whether the mineral deposit requires surface or underground methods of extraction,
• have an opportunity, through elective courses, to specialize in one or more aspects of the mining engineering profession,
• are interested in an academic or research career, or wish to pursue employment in related fields, have a sufficiently sound scientific and engineering foundation to do so effectively.

This purpose permeates both the lower and upper-division courses. Another important aspect of the curriculum is the development of the students’ capabilities to be team members, with the added objective of preparing them for leadership in their professional life. The curriculum focuses on the application of engineering principles to solving problems, in short, engineering design in an earth systems approach.

Degree Requirements (Mining Engineering)

Major GPA

During the 2016-2017 academic year, the Undergraduate Council considered the policy concerning required major GPAs and which courses are included in each degree’s GPA.  While the GPA policy has not been officially updated, in order to provide transparency, council members agreed that publishing the courses included in each degree’s GPA is beneficial to students. 

The following list details the courses that are included in the GPA for this degree:

• MNGN100 through MNGN599 inclusive

Minor Programs

The Mining Engineering Department offers three minor programs: the traditional mining engineering program for non-mining majors, underground construction, and tunneling and explosive engineering.

Mining Engineering Minor

The minor program in mining engineering requires students to take:

The list of available courses can be found in the mining engineering department office.

Explosive Engineering Minor

Program Advisor: Lee Fronapfel

There are very few academic explosive engineering programs worldwide. Colorado School of Mines is one of a few educational institutions that offers an explosive engineering minor program in the U.S.A. Developed in the Mines tradition of combining academic education with hands-on experience, this minor program will prepare students for new and developing applications involving the use of explosives in the mining and materials engineering, underground construction, oil and gas operations, demolition, homeland security, military, forensic investigations, manufacturing and material synthesis.

With the proper program development of courses and basic knowledge in explosive engineering, students enrolled in this program will discover and gain insight into the exciting industrial applications of explosives, selection of explosives, and the correct and safe use of the energetic materials. With the help of the program advisor, the students will design and select the proper course sequence and complete hands-on research project under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

A total of 18 credits are needed to complete the Explosive Engineering Minor Program. This is the preferred route for students that would like to specialize in explosive engineering. The first three (required) courses will provide the students with basic knowledge in explosive engineering. The subsequent courses will give students a view into the mining and geotechnical applications of explosive engineering, such as with surface mining, underground mining, or underground construction.

Courses