Explore careers

Useful experience for mining engineers includes:

• mine and quarry work
• engineering or surveying work
• supervision or management experience
• heavy vehicle and earthmoving experience
• accounting and finance management experience
• operating or repairing machinery.

Mining engineers may do some or all of the following:

• prepare designs, plans and schedules for mines and mining operations
• research and develop new mining methods and technology
• determine the equipment needed to develop a mine
• consult with clients, professionals and government officials
• oversee work at the mine site
• ensure safety and environmental standards are met and maintained
• carry out economic analysis on mineral deposits.

Increased opportunities for mining engineers likely

Opportunities for mining engineers are average due to stable worker numbers. Demand for mining engineers is likely to increase due to:

• an expected price rise for coal and gold in 2018 leading to more mines being opened 
• mining engineers leaving to find better paid work in Australia
• an ageing workforce, so many mining engineers will retire soon.

According to the Census, 339 mining engineers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Mining engineers work for coal and gold mining firms

Most mining engineers are employed by large coal or gold mining companies. Some mining engineers are self-employed and may work for smaller mining companies.

Engineering New Zealand

(04) 473 9444 - hello@engineeringnz.org.nz - www.engineeringnz.org

Mining engineers may progress to become self-employed consultants or mine and quarry managers.

• Mine/quarry manager job information

Mining engineers can specialise in a number of roles, including:

Academic and Research Mining Engineer

Academic and research mining engineers work in universities or research centres. They may specialise in fields such as rock engineering, mining economics, or geology project design.

Coal Mining Engineer

Coal mining engineers work in open pit or underground coal mines.

Consultant Mining Engineer

Mining engineers who work as consultants are involved in a wide variety of projects, mining methods and different technical areas. They use computer programs to model the mining process and design, and can work on open pit and underground mines.

Open Pit Mining Engineer

Open pit mining engineers work in surface mines that are open to the daylight, such as quarries. These mines may also be referred to as open-cut or opencast mines.

Underground Mining Engineer

Underground mining engineers work in deep mines that are usually located several hundred feet underground. The minerals in these mines are removed mechanically and transferred by shuttle car or conveyor to the surface.

Mining engineers need to be skilled at:

• project management, people management and leadership
• writing clear proposals, reports and presentations
• identifying, analysing and creatively solving problems
• remaining calm in emergencies, and working under pressure
• acting on their own initiative, and as part of a team
• finance and budgeting.