Mine development engineer

Mine development engineers design and coordinate mine development operations such as crosscutting, sinking, tunnelling, in-seam drivages, raising, and removing and replacing overburden. 

The following job titles also refer to mine development engineer:

mine development experts
mine development expert
mine development manager
development engineer
facility manager
mine development engineers
mine development managers

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as mine development engineer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Mine development engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to mine development engineer.

mine ventilation engineer
mine planning engineer
mine mechanical engineer
mine electrical engineer
mine health and safety engineer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of mine development engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of mine development engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of mine development engineer.

Impact of geological factors on mining operations: Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.
Design drawings: Understand design drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
Mine safety legislation: The laws, regulations and codes of practice relevant to safety in mining operations.
Mining engineering: Fields of engineering relevant to mining operations. Principles, techniques, procedures and equipment used in the extraction of minerals.
Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.

These skills are necessary for the role of mine development engineer.

Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
Ensure compliance with safety legislation: Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.
Interface with anti-mining lobbyists: Communicate with anti-mining lobby in relation to the development of a potential mineral deposit.
Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Develop alternative mining methods: Develop new mine development methods and procedures to maximise mine performance; ensure compliance to company standards and industrial regulations and requirements.
Supervise mine construction operations: Prepare and oversee mine construction operations e.g. shaft and tunnel constructions.
Make independent operating decisions: Make immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best for a particular situation.
Deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances: Strive to achieve objectives despite the pressures arising from unexpected factors outside of your control.
Manage waste rock: Manage the waste materials collected during the development operations.
Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
Identify process improvements: Identify possible improvements to operational and financial performance.
Supervise staff: Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
Prepare technical reports: Prepare technical reports that describe results and processes of scientific or technical research, or assess its progress. These reports help researchers to keep up to date with recent findings.
Evaluate mine development projects: Evaluate mining methods and procedures, including waste management, life-of-mine plans, production timelines and funds expenditures.
Use mine planning software: Use specialised software to plan, design and model for mining operations.
Address problems critically: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.
Cope with challenging circumstances in the mining sector: Maintain a positive attitude during challenging situations in mines. Work under pressure and adapt to the circumstances in a positive manner.
Advise on mine equipment: Provide advice on mining and equipment for mineral treatment; communicate and collaborate with engineering experts.
Negotiate land acquisition: Negotiate with landowners, tenants, mineral rights owners or other stakeholders of land containing mineral reserves in order to buy or lease the land.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of mine development engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
Computational fluid dynamics: The principles of computer-manipulated fluid mechanics, which determines the behaviour of fluids in motion. 
Health and safety hazards underground: The rules and risks affecting health and safety when working underground. 

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of mine development engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Oversee mine planning activities: Direct, control and examine mine planning and surveying staff and activities.
Use technical drawing software: Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
Monitor mine production: Oversee mining production rates in order to estimate operational effectiveness.
Present reports: Display results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.
Monitor mine costs: Monitor total costs of mining activities, projects and required equipment; pursue maximum operational cost efficiency.

2146 – Mining engineers, metallurgists and related professionals

 

 

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References

1. Mine development engineer – ESCO