Sustainable Development of Finite Natural Resources
UA mining engineers convert mineral resources into new and useful products, develop more sustainable extraction and refining processes, design systems that conserve water and reduce energy use in mines, and help build stronger and more resilient structures in seismically active regions.
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UA mining engineering graduates get job offers from companies across the globe -- from as near as Arizona, Colorado and Utah to as far as Mongolia, Peru, Australia and Hawaii.
Academic Focus Areas
The mining engineering major has four tracks:
- Mine Operations
- Geomechanics
- Sustainable Resource Development
- Mineral Processing
Research Opportunities
Research focus areas include:
- Geomechanics
- Mine production
- Information technology
- Health and safety
- Sustainable development
- Mineral processing
- Metals extraction
UA mining engineers are revolutionizing mine safety by developing autonomous systems for operating heavy equipment remotely, and novel techniques for converting mine tailings into insulation material to better protect workers from extreme temperatures in hot underground metal mines
School of Mining Engineering & Mineral Resources
Research Centers
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San Xavier Underground Mining Lab - a one-of-a-kind, real-world training laboratory where students, mining professionals and industry partners use the site for hands-on education and development of ultramodern technology
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J. David Lowell Institute of Mineral Resources - promoting sustainable resource development
Outside the Classroom
In addition to running a working mine, most UA mining engineering students work multiple internships with mining, petroleum and gas companies, thanks to our strong links with industry partners. Students also gain practical experience and professional contacts in the student chapters of the International Society of Explosives Engineers and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration.
Career Paths
Mining engineers work on all aspects of mining, including operations, minerals extraction, resource sustainability and mineworker safety. They also plan and supervise excavations associated with construction, tunnels, and environmental projects. Graduates of the mining engineering program have nearly 100% job placement, and they earn among the highest salaries, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics citing a median annual wage of $101,020.
