ADOL Logo

Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 17-2151 Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining
Determine the location and plan the extraction of coal, metallic ores, nonmetallic minerals, and building materials, such as stone and gravel. Work involves conducting preliminary surveys of deposits or undeveloped mines and planning their development; examining deposits or mines to determine whether they can be worked at a profit; making geological and topographical surveys; evolving methods of mining best suited to character, type, and size of deposits; and supervising mining operations.
Default
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
OJT: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Tasks: 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. Design, implement, and monitor the development of mines, facilities, systems, or equipment. Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions. Examine maps, deposits, drilling locations, or mines to determine the location, size, accessibility, contents, value, and potential profitability of mineral, oil, and gas deposits. Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics. Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel. Monitor mine production rates to assess operational effectiveness. Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines. Lay out, direct, and supervise mine construction operations, such as the construction of shafts and tunnels. 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. Evaluate data to develop new mining products, equipment, or processes. Design, develop, and implement computer applications for use in mining operations such as mine design, modeling, or mapping or for monitoring mine conditions. Supervise, train, and evaluate technicians, technologists, survey personnel, engineers, scientists or other mine personnel.
License: The applicant should contact the Board of Mines Examiners for application forms and procedures. A written examination, oral examination, and an examination designed to show knowledge of gas detection and ventilation maps are required. Examinations are administered in April and October each year. Each applicant for a mine foreman's certificate of competency shall: 1.) Be a citizen of the United States, 2.) Be at least 23 years old, 3.) Have had three years practical mining experience in or around coal mines. 4.) Present with his application an affidavit of his meeting the foregoing requirements and of his good moral character and known temperate habits, which affidavit shall be signed by three reputable citizens, at least one of whom shall be the hold of a mine foreman's certificate and 5.) Present with his application an affidavit that he is not a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States by force. Registration and Examination Fee: $20.00
Outlook: Good
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $28.96   Entry $60,247.00
Mean $45.73   Mean $95,116.00
Experience $54.12 Experience $112,556.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
170190151.11
Related Occupations: Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:
Civil Engineers
Environmental Engineers
Logistics Engineers
Manufacturing Engineers
Materials Engineers
Mechanical Engineers
Petroleum Engineers
Product Safety Engineers
Transportation Engineers
Validation Engineers
Alabama A & M University
Auburn University
Birmingham Southern College
Samford University
University of Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Occupational Videos
17-2151.00 Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers