Mining geotechnical engineer

A Mining Geotechnical Engineer applies principles of geology, soil mechanics, and rock engineering to ensure the stability and safety of mining operations. They analyze ground conditions, design support systems, and assess risks related to rockfalls, landslides, and ground subsidence. Mining Geotechnical Engineers are essential to both surface and underground mining projects, where they contribute to safe excavation design, slope stability, and sustainable resource extraction.

The main duties of an Airport Planning Engineer include:

• Designing and evaluating airport layouts, including runways, taxiways, aprons, terminals, and parking areas.
• Conducting feasibility studies, demand forecasts, and capacity analyses for airport development projects.
• Ensuring compliance with aviation regulations and standards issued by ICAO, FAA, or EASA.
• Performing airspace and obstruction analyses to maintain flight safety.
• Coordinating infrastructure design with utilities, access roads, and public transport connections.
• Preparing master plans and detailed engineering documentation for airport development.
• Conducting environmental and noise impact assessments to ensure sustainable operations.
• Collaborating with airport authorities, airlines, and contractors during planning and construction phases.
• Using simulation and modeling tools to optimize airport traffic flow and operations.
• Preparing project reports, cost estimates, and presentations for stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

The main duties of a Mining Geotechnical Engineer include:

• Conducting geotechnical investigations and analyzing rock and soil properties to assess ground stability.
• Designing pit slopes, mine shafts, tunnels, and underground openings to minimize failure risks.
• Installing and monitoring geotechnical instrumentation such as inclinometers, extensometers, and piezometers.
• Performing stability analyses using numerical modeling and specialized software such as FLAC, Rocscience, or PLAXIS.
• Evaluating the impact of blasting, groundwater, and excavation on rock mass behavior.
• Recommending ground support systems such as rock bolts, shotcrete, or retaining structures.
• Preparing technical reports, risk assessments, and geotechnical design documentation.
• Collaborating with mining engineers, geologists, and safety teams during planning and operations.
• Ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations in mining operations.
• Investigating geotechnical incidents and proposing mitigation or remediation measures.

The following job titles also refer to mining geotechnical engineer:

mining hydrologist
mine hydrologist

Mining Geotechnical Engineers work in both field and office settings. Fieldwork involves on-site inspections, drilling supervision, data collection, and monitoring in open-pit or underground mines, often under physically demanding and hazardous conditions. Office duties include data analysis, modeling, and report preparation. The role may require extended periods at remote mine sites, rotational shifts, and adherence to strict safety protocols. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and travel between mining locations are common aspects of the job.

A bachelor’s degree in geological engineering, mining engineering, or geotechnical engineering is required. A strong background in geology, soil mechanics, and rock engineering is essential. Field experience through internships, mining placements, or junior engineering roles is highly valuable. Proficiency in geotechnical modeling, data interpretation, and software tools such as Rocscience or FLAC is advantageous. Professional certification or registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) is often required for senior roles. Advanced qualifications such as a master’s degree in rock mechanics or mining geotechnics can enhance career prospects. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are crucial for success in this high-responsibility field.

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.

Mining geotechnical engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

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

mine planning engineer
mineral processing engineer
mine health and safety engineer
mine ventilation engineer
mine geologist

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of mining geotechnical 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.
• Geology: Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.

These skills are necessary for the role of mining geotechnical engineer.

• Advise on construction materials: Provide advice on and test a wide range of construction materials.
• 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.
• Design infrastructure for surface mines: Assist with the design of mine infrastructure using specialised computer software and data calculations.
• Manage geotechnical staff: Manage a complete geotechnical staff including consultants, contractors, geologists and geotechnical engineers.
• 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.
• 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.
• Advise on geology for mineral extraction: Provide advice of the impact of geological factors on the development of mineral production. Take into account factors such as cost, safety, and characteristics of deposits.
• Plan geotechnical investigations in the field: Conduct thorough field investigations; perform drills and analyse samples of rocks and sediments.

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

• 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 mining geotechnical engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Install rock movement monitoring devices: Install and operate monitoring devices, such as extensometers to measure deformation and movement, pressure cells to measure stresses and geophones to measure microseismicity.
• Advise on site selection: Consult geological maps and data and analyse aerial photographs; provide advice on site selection and archaeological issues.
• Mine dump design: Develop and implement safe and effective waste and dump management. Minimise the ecological footprint of the operation and follow legal requirements.
• Test raw minerals: Take samples of mineral materials for testing purposes. Execute various chemical and physical tests on the materials.
• Interpret seismic data: Interpret data from seismic surveys.

2142 – Civil engineers 

---

 References

1. Mining geotechnical engineer – ESCO
2. Featured image: Photo by Manuel Garcia