Mining geotechnical engineer

Mining geotechnical engineers in mining perform engineering, hydrological and geological tests and analyses to improve the safety and efficiency of mineral operations. They oversee the collection of samples and the taking of measurements using geotechnical investigation methods and techniques. They model the mechanical behaviour of the rock mass and contribute to the design of the mine geometry.

The following job titles also refer to mining geotechnical engineer:

mining hydrologist
mine hydrologist

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as mining geotechnical 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.

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

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

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

 

 

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References

1. Mining geotechnical engineer – ESCO