If your dream is to become a mining engineer, you’ve to begin your career by earning a degree in one of the best mining engineering schools in the world.
Several schools offer degree programs in mining engineering. They designed it to provide students with the skills and training needed for a bigger task in this field.
From prehistoric times to the present, mining has played a significant role in the existence of the human race. Since the beginning of civilization, people have used stone and ceramics and, later, metals found on or close to the earth’s surface.
A mining engineer may manage any phase of mining operations, from exploration and discovery of the mineral resources, through feasibility study, mine design, development of plans, production, and operations to mine closure.
To create an easy path for your career, we’ve listed 13 best mining engineering schools in the world that offer degree programs.
Before we continue, here is a review of what this post looks like.
Table of contents
- What Is Mining Engineering?
- Why Should I Go To A Mining Engineering School?
- What Should I Consider When Choosing A Mining Engineering School?
- How Long Does It Take To Study In Mining Engineering Schools?
- What Can I Do With A Mining Engineering Degree?
- How Much Do Mining Engineers Make?
- What is the Job Outlook For Mining Engineers?
- What Are The Best Mining Engineering Schools In The World?
- 1. Colorado School of Mines
- 2. Curtin University
- 3. McGill University
- 4. The University of Queensland
- 5. The University of Western Australia
- 6. Saint-Petersburg Mining University
- 7. The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
- 8. University of British Columbia
- 9. Pennsylvania State University
- 10. University of Witwatersrand
- 11. University of Alberta
- 12. Queen’s University
- 13. The University of Melbourne
- Conclusion
- FAQs On Best Mining Engineering Schools In the World
- Sources
- Editor’s Recommendation
What Is Mining Engineering?
According to Wikipedia, Mining in the engineering discipline is the extraction of minerals from underneath, above, or on the ground.
Mining engineering is associated with many other disciplines, such as mineral processing, exploration, excavation, geology, and metallurgy, geotechnical engineering, and surveying.
A mining engineer may manage any phase of mining operations, from exploration and discovery of the mineral resources, through feasibility study, mine design, development of plans, production, and operations to mine closure.
Why Should I Go To A Mining Engineering School?
This major allows you to study minerals like coal, metals, and diamonds and how to remove them from the earth safely and in an environmentally friendly way.
As a mining engineer, you get to help plan and design mines as well as manage them. This program will teach you the science behind mining and minerals.
You will also learn about mineral processing and refining methods. Mining engineers usually specialize in one mineral or metal, so you get a broad education and then choose one subject that interests you the most.
Successful completion of the undergraduate mining engineering curriculum qualifies the student for a professional career in valuation and development of mineral properties, design, and management of mine systems, as well as in research and consulting.
What Should I Consider When Choosing A Mining Engineering School?
Basically, one of the factors you must consider is the tuition. The cost of an engineering program varies. Majorly the institution you choose will greatly influence how much you may spend.
Aside the tuition, there are also other additional costs to consider, they include:
- Cost of books
- School and lab fees
- Other course materials such as uniforms
- Cost of living expenses which may include on-campus room and board
How Long Does It Take To Study In Mining Engineering Schools?
Engineering degrees are usually designed to take four years to complete. To meet this goal, however, you’ll need to take a full load of classes each semester. At most schools, this means 15-course hours.
What Can I Do With A Mining Engineering Degree?
Mining engineers can find work as:
- Geological engineers
- Geophysical engineers
- Mineral engineers
- Mining safety engineers
- Seismic engineers
How Much Do Mining Engineers Make?
The median annual wage for mining engineers is $93,720 annually and $45.06 per hour.
Salary levels also vary between employers and sectors. More demanding work locations, such as in poor weather conditions and those with strict rules, may offer better salaries.
Generally, the more remote the area the higher the allowance, with additional benefits such as housing and fly-in/fly-out work. Some companies provide performance-related pay schemes and additional benefits.
What is the Job Outlook For Mining Engineers?
The employment of mining engineers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2018 to 2028, slower than the average for all occupations.
Employment growth for mining and geological engineers will be driven by demand for mining operations.
In addition, as companies look for ways to cut costs, they are expected to contract more services with engineering services firms, rather than employ engineers directly.
What Are The Best Mining Engineering Schools In The World?
Below is a list of the best schools for mining engineering in the world. These schools offer top-quality programs and are well recognized globally.
They also rank in annual publications such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly, and many others.
Our selection criteria of these schools include but not limited to the following factors:
- Academic reputation
- Accreditation
- Employability Index
- Exam success rate
- Acceptance and graduation rates
- Number of programs
- Average earnings of graduates
- Admission eligibility
- Job placement rate
- Specialization
- Global reputation and influence
We got our data from reliable sources, testimonials, interviews, and also by contacting individual schools.
These schools include:
- Colorado School of Mines
- Curtin University
- McGill University
- The University of Queensland
- The University of Western Australia
- Saint-Petersburg Mining University
- The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
- University of British Columbia
- Pennsylvania State University
- University of Witwatersrand
- University of Alberta
1. Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines was established in 1859 and served as a supply center for miners and settlers in the area.
Courses offered to students during the early years of Colorado School of Mines including chemistry, metallurgy, mineralogy, mining engineering, geology, botany, math, and drawing.
The focus of the early academic programs was on gold and silver, and the assaying of those minerals. As the institution grew, its mission expanded to focus specifically on understanding the Earth, harnessing energy, and sustaining the environment.
2. Curtin University
Established in 1966, Curtin University has grown to become a vibrant and collaborative setting where ideas, skills, and cultures come together.
With campuses in Western Australia (Perth and Kalgoorlie), Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai and Mauritius, as well as a network of university partners around the world, Curtin is an international university with a rapidly expanding global footprint.
Curtin’s rising reputation has seen the university rapidly climb up international university rankings.
3. McGill University
Based in Montreal, McGill University ranks among Canada’s most prestigious universities, attracting thousands of international students from over 150 countries every year, and the highest percentage of Ph.D. students of any Canadian research university.
McGill University owes its reputation to its 50 research centers and institutes, 400+ programs, rich history, and thriving alumni network of 250,000 people around the globe.
4. The University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) has maintained a global reputation for creating positive change by delivering knowledge leadership for a better world.
UQ consistently ranks in the world’s top universities, is one of only three Australian members of the global Universitas 21.
More than 53,600 students study across UQ’s three beautiful campuses in South-East Queensland. This includes about 18,000 international students who contribute to UQ’s diverse, supportive, and inclusive campus community.
5. The University of Western Australia
With campuses in Perth and Albany, The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a dynamic and progressive community of lecturers, researchers, students, and staff, all bound together by their hunger for learning, innovation, and research.
The Pert campus located 10 minutes from Perth’s busy central shopping and business district, and bordered by the picturesque Swan River, UWA’s Perth campus is a mixture of gorgeous early 20th Century sandstone and terracotta buildings and more modern facilities surrounded by leafy heritage-listed gardens.
Home to more than 5,000 international students, representing more than 100 countries, UWA is internationally recognized as a leader in research and higher education.
6. Saint-Petersburg Mining University
Founded by the decree of Empress Catherine II in 1773, Saint-Petersburg Mining University is the first technical higher educational institution in Russia.
Today the university boasts a unique combination of the richest tradition and modern state-of-the-art technologies and facilities across its eight schools.
Its well-developed infrastructure and high competence of academic staff provide over 12,000 students with the best education through its wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and specialist’s profiles for future employees of Russian and international companies engaged in estimation, prospecting, exploitation, exploration and processing of raw materials, oil, gas, diamonds, and ores.
7. The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
The University of New South Wales is one of the world’s leading research and teaching universities.
Established in 1949, they are home to more than 60,000 students from over 130 countries and an alumni community of 300,000 that spans the world.
UNSW is committed to pioneering research and preparing the next generation of talented global citizens for career success.
Their main campus is located on a 38-hectare site at Kensington, seven kilometers from the center of Sydney. Other campuses are UNSW Art & Design (Paddington) and UNSW Canberra at ADFA (Australian Defence Force Academy).
They’re about empowering students to discover opportunities that will shape their future with world-class undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs.
8. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia has an excellent reputation with academics and employers alike and a particularly international faculty. The University of British Columbia excels in a number of subjects, including:
- Geography
- Mineral and mining engineering
- Sports-related subjects
With beautiful green campuses in Vancouver and Okanagan, the University of British Columbia is home to a concert hall, a working farm, an Olympic ice hockey venue, Canada’s largest blue whale skeleton, world-class science labs for subatomic physics, and a center for interactive research in sustainability.
9. Pennsylvania State University
Penn State, founded in 1855 as an agricultural college, admitted its first class in 1859. The Pennsylvania legislature designated Penn State as the Commonwealth’s sole land-grant institution in 1863, which eventually broadened the University’s mission to include teaching, research, and public service in many academic disciplines.
Penn State has 23 additional locations across Pennsylvania and Penn State World Campus, which provides on-line degree offerings.
While some of these locations, such as the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, have specialized academic roles, they all adhere to a common overall mission and set of core values and strategic goals.
10. University of Witwatersrand
Based in Johannesburg in South Africa, the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) offers over 3,600 undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English within:
- Science
- Health Sciences
- Humanities
- Engineering and the Built Environment
- Commerce, Law and Management
Wits’ commitment to social justice has meant it’s played a key role during historical moments in South Africa, with many Witwatersrand alumni becoming icons, both historically and today.
Wits academics regularly publish world-leading research in the fields of natural science, medical and health science, social science, humanities, and engineering.
11. University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is one of Canada’s top universities and among the world’s leading public research-intensive universities, with a reputation for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences.
With over 100 years of history and 250,000 alumni, the University of Alberta is known globally for equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills to be tomorrow’s leaders.
The University of Alberta is located in Edmonton, Alberta, a dynamic city with one million residents and the major hub for Alberta’s thriving energy industry.
The main campus, in the center of Edmonton, is minutes from downtown with bus and subway access through the city. Home to nearly 40,000 students, including more than 7,000 international students from over 150 countries.
12. Queen’s University
Queen’s is one of Canada’s oldest degree-granting universities and a contemporary hub of academic research in Kingston, Canada.
The university is among the top medical-doctoral universities in Canada. Its university- and faculty-based research centers provide dynamic, collaborative settings for scholars.
Queen’s researchers lead the way in numerous fields, making notable advances recently in particle astrophysics, cancer research, art conservation, geotechnical engineering, biodiversity, and clean energy technology.
13. The University of Melbourne
When the University of Melbourne was established in 1853, it was a mere cluster of buildings in a large park on the fringe of the city, with four professors and 16 students. The university now sits at the heart of a thriving international city and is consistently ranked among the leading universities in the world and number one in Australia.
Over 8,000 academic and professional staff support a vibrant student body of around 65,000, including 30,000 international students from over 130 countries around the world
Melbourne is known for offering students an experience that’s a lot more than just structured learning. The main Parkville campus is close to transport, cafes, shopping, arts, and sports venues and accommodation.
The university has 10 residential colleges where most students live, which provides a quick way to build an academic and social network. Each college provides sporting and cultural programs to enrich the academic experience, which is at the center of university life.
Conclusion
Studying a mining engineering program in any of the best schools for mining engineering in the world is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. In addition to the quality of education you’ll receive, you’ll also get the opportunity to learn various levels of engineering.
However, one of the factors you must consider is the tuition. The cost of an engineering program varies. Also, if you’ve decided to attend one of the best mining engineering schools in the world you’ll definitely need to use this post as a guide to help you find a school that fits your needs.
FAQs On Best Mining Engineering Schools In the World
Engineering degrees are usually designed to take four years to complete. To meet this goal, however, you’ll need to take a full load of classes each semester. At most schools, this means 15-course hours.
The median annual wage for mining engineers is $93,720 annually and $45.06 per hour.
The employment of mining engineers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2018 to 2028, slower than the average for all occupations. Employment growth for mining and geological engineers will be driven by demand for mining operations.
Sources
- topuniversities.com-top mining engineering schools
- Wikipedia.org-Mining engineering
Editor’s Recommendation
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