The first question that might pop in your mind when you saw the title of this article, might be, what do mining engineers do? Well, mining engineers work to create systems for finding, extracting and transporting natural resources. In recent years, mining engineering’s focus has shifted towards the development of mining equipment and techniques that put personal and environment safety first.
As one of the leading countries for mining activity, it is no surprise that Australian universities are ranked among the best universities in the world for mineral and mining engineering according to QS Rankings by subject 2021.
This article covers what mining engineering is and everything you need to know about studying a course in mining engineering in Australia, along with the top 10 universities for mining engineering in the country.
What is Mining Engineering
Mining engineering is the science, technology and application of extracting and processing minerals from nature. Mining engineers are involved in the optimization of mines for the more efficient extraction of resources.
While some mining engineers even collaborate with geologists to discover and evaluate new minerals and resources, other mineral engineers are also involved in the improvement of mining equipment and handle processing operations that separate and refine minerals. In addition to this, mining engineers specializing in safety carry out mine and equipment practice, monitor air quality and ensure the safety of all workers by making sure they are complying with the safety regulations.
Unlike what you might have expected, mining engineers don’t always work underground. Depending on the type of mine, they might even have to work above ground in an open cast mine. It is also important to keep in mind that if you are a mining engineer you should be open to travelling and staying away from home for extended periods of time.
Why Study is Mining Engineering
This answer to why you should study mining engineering depends on your interest in the field. But the answer to why you should study mining engineering in Australia is pretty direct. It is because Australia is one of the leading nations in mining with significant career opportunities in almost every sector of mining from a range of companies whether it be small companies, or even the world’s largest companies.
Mining Engineering is an industry that is no doubt on the rise and there is no shortage for career opportunities in this field. In addition to this, it can be an exciting and adventurous career for those interested in building, thinking and the hidden treasures of the earth. As a mining engineer, you will also get to work with multiple geologists and scientists as a team, which can be quite thrilling.
5 Skills That Mining Engineers Require
Apart from the hard-skills you learn through coursework and fieldwork during a degree, mining engineers also need a set of soft skills which helps them succeed in their careers.
If you think you have the 5 skills listed below, you could become a successful mining engineer in the future;
- Analytical skills – Mining engineers are required to solve problems by considering multiple potentially complicated and connected issues at the same time everyday.
- Decision making skills – Mining engineers make decisions through identifying problems, and dealing with them immediately in an effective way. The decisions they make can consequently affect the miner’s lives, the company and even the surrounding environment.
- Logical thinking skills – Every task assigned to a mining engineer requires thorough planning. So it is a must for mining engineers to be able to come up with plans in a coherent and logical sequence.
- Math skills – The knowledge of advanced mathematics such as trigonometry and calculus are used by mining engineers in their work everyday.
- Writing skills – Mining engineers are also required to write reports and instructions for their team in order to convey their plans to the team. Hence, clear and concise writing skills are crucial in this field.
Which Body Accredits Mining Engineering in Australia?
Mining Engineering programs, much like other engineering programs, are accredited by the Institute of Engineers Australia, and evaluated by the Australian Engineering Accreditation Centre (AEAC). Accreditation ensures that the degree will be recognized locally and internationally as well, in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, the UK and also the US. This is particularly important for graduates because it allows them to gain employment throughout the world. You can view the list of accredited engineering programs here.
Career Opportunities for Mining Engineering Graduates
Mining Engineering Graduates typically go forward with careers such as;
- Mining Engineer
- Management Consultant
- Mine Manager
- Drill and Blast Engineer
- Mine Planner and Designer
- Mine Company Director
- Operations Manager
Listed below are some of the industry Mining Engineers can seek for employment in;
- Government
- Mining and Resources
- Research and Development
- Risk Analysis and Investment
Subjects Covered in Mining Engineering
Listed below are the general subjects covered under a Bachelor’s Degree in Mining program;
- Mining Systems
- Integrated Orebody Knowledge
- Mine Planning
- Applied Mining Geomechanics
- Blasting
- Mine Economics
- Mine Water
- Mine Ventilation
- Mine Design, Feasibility and Sustainability
- Mine Process Optimization
General Requirements for Studying Mining Engineering in Australia
GCE A Levels | • Aggregate scores of 10 in best 3 subjects, where A*=5, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 |
Malaysian Matriculation | Point average 10.33 in best 3 subjects where A = 4.00, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B = 3.00, B- = 2.67, C+ = 2.33, C = 2.00 |
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) | • 32 |
ATAR | • lowest ATAR 86.85 |
UEC | •Aggregate score of 16 in best 5 academic subjects, where A1 = 1, A2 = 2, B3 = 3, B4 = 4, B5 = 5, B6 = 6. |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for inquiries on other entry requirements, contact Excel Education.
English Language Requirements for Studying Mining Engineering in Australia
IELTS | Overall 6.5, with no individual bands less than 6.0 |
TOEFL (Internet Based Test) | Overall 87 |
TOEFL (Paper Based Test) | 570 |
Pearson Test of English: | Overall score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for inquiries on other entry requirements, contact Excel Education.
Top 10 Universities to Study Mining Engineering in Australia
1. Curtin University
Image Credits: Curtin University
Curtin university is the first in Australia and the second in the world for mining engineering according to QS Rankings by Subject 2021.
Curtin University’s Mining Engineering is an undergraduate major under the Bachelor of Engineering Program. During the first year of the degree, you will be studying Engineering Foundation Year, where you will learn the fundamentals of engineering. As you proceed to the second year you can choose to continue your studies in Curtin Kalgoorlie for meaningful exposure to the mining industry or you could choose to stay back in Perth and transfer to Kalgoorlie in the third year.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Engineering (Mining Engineering) |
Intake | Feb | July |
Duration | 4 years (Full Time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
2. The University of Queensland
Image Credits: The University of Queensland
University of Queensland is the no.1 in Queensland and 3rd in the world for mineral and mining engineering according to QS Rankings by subject 2021.
University of Queensland’s Mining Engineering program is an undergraduate major offered under some of the specializations in the Bachelor of Engineering Program. The engineering specializations that offer the mining engineering major include, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering with a major in Mining Engineering) |
Intake | Feb | July |
Duration | 4 years (Full Time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
3. The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Image Credits: The University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales (UNSW), is ranked 3rd in Australia and 5th in the world for mineral and mining engineering according to QS Rankings by subject 2021.
This program is taught by a leading provider of world-class education and research in Mining, the UNSW School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering. An exciting fact about this program is that you will have access to leading technology such as Virtual Reality (VR) Stimulator with floor to ceiling screens, casting 360 degree, 3D images with cinematic clarity designed for the experience of realistic underground mines.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Mining) |
Intake | Feb | May | Sep |
Duration | 4 years (Full Time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
4. University of New Castle
Image Credits: University of New Castle
University of Newcastle is 7th in Australia and 23rd in the world for mineral and mining in Australia according to QS Rankings by subject 2021.
University of Newcastle’s Mining Engineering program is a transfer program under the Bachelor of Engineering, where you only spend the first two years of the degree studying in University of Newcastle. For the second half of the degree, you are to transfer to either University of Wollongong (UOW) or University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Engineering (Mining Transfer Program) |
Intake | Feb | July |
Duration | 4 years (Full Time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
5. University of Adelaide
Image Credit: University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide is ranked 8th in Australia and 24th in the world for mineral and mining according to QS Rankings by Subject 2021.
University of Adelaide’s Mining Engineering program is the only university in Australia that provides a major in mine automation, which focuses around the connection between mining and artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data. You can also choose to minor in Entrepreneurship or Humanitarian under this program.
6. University of Wollongong (UOW)
Image Credits: University of Wollongong
University of Wollongong is ranked 9th in Australia and 28th in the world for mineral and mining according to QS Rankings by subject 2021.
UOW’s Mining Engineering is a major offered under the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) program. The first year of the program you will focus on learning about engineering and the different fields of engineering, before you choose to major in a specific discipline of engineering, such as mining engineering. You can also choose to complete a double major in either of the following combinations;
- Civil Engineering and Mining Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering and Mining Engineering
- Environmental Engineering and Mining Engineering
- Materials Engineering and Mining Engineering
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Mining Engineering |
Intake | Feb | May | August |
Duration | 4 years (Full Time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
7. Federation University
Image Credit: Federation University
Federation University Australia is another top university in Australia that offers a Bachelor of Engineering in Mining Engineering.
An added benefit of this program is the Industrial Placement Program that comes with it, which is a two-year professional development program providing you with upto 26 weeks of placement and industry scholarships of up to $15,000.
Course Details
Program | Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) (Honours) |
Intake | Feb | July |
Duration | 4 years (Full Time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
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