If we only base real life with reality TV shows we watch today, we may be led to believe that starting up a mine is easy and extracting minerals is definitely possible. Gold can be yours with mere use of basic equipment or, at least, that's what it looks like. It can be quite far from reality, actually, where even large-scale mining companies need mining engineers to help them complete every step of the mining processes.
It takes a professional mining engineer to understand all about mineral extraction - its theory and science, along with the technology required in retrieving such materials no matter the source. It also takes a mining engineer to know about the processing of these minerals while giving its value to the maximum possibility. Since the extraction of minerals requires the minimum damage to the environment, mining engineers are expected to perform safe mining operations for employees along with the residents, the wildlife, watersheds and flora within the area.
There is a wide variety of minerals being mined in the United States. You will find them in metal forms like gold, copper, cadmium, iron ore, silver and other relevant ones. Industrial minerals are also being mined like gypsum, diatomite, lime, salt, different types of clay, soda ash, zeolites and much more. Aside from the non-fuel minerals, petroleum, coal and natural gas or any other fuel sources are also part of what is being mined in the U.S. With the different types of mining present also come corresponding difficulties and restrictions where only those licensed mining engineers are those able to understand everything, from its minute details.
For the initial step in mining, mineral exploration is initiated by the mining engineer where he looks for possible sources of particular fuel or mineral after which he determines the possibility of profit if mining operation be materialized in the area. With this, he needs to create a feasibility study where he discusses the advantages and disadvantages should a mine be operated there and then make recommendations with regards to the possible mine operation in that said place.
Mining engineers not only need at least a four-year degree in mining engineering, many mining engineers also have graduate-level degrees. Some also have degrees in surveying and geology, as well. These engineers are familiar with a large amount of technology as well as many surveying instruments, such as a theodolite, inclinometer and many types of alignment instruments and optical instruments.
You should know that if such a career opportunity be of interest to you, you may be able to find many colleges and universities all over the world you can go to. Why in the United States, the list is longer than a dozen with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Utah, the University of Kentucky, the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the Colorado School of Mines making up some of the slots.
It takes a professional mining engineer to understand all about mineral extraction - its theory and science, along with the technology required in retrieving such materials no matter the source. It also takes a mining engineer to know about the processing of these minerals while giving its value to the maximum possibility. Since the extraction of minerals requires the minimum damage to the environment, mining engineers are expected to perform safe mining operations for employees along with the residents, the wildlife, watersheds and flora within the area.
There is a wide variety of minerals being mined in the United States. You will find them in metal forms like gold, copper, cadmium, iron ore, silver and other relevant ones. Industrial minerals are also being mined like gypsum, diatomite, lime, salt, different types of clay, soda ash, zeolites and much more. Aside from the non-fuel minerals, petroleum, coal and natural gas or any other fuel sources are also part of what is being mined in the U.S. With the different types of mining present also come corresponding difficulties and restrictions where only those licensed mining engineers are those able to understand everything, from its minute details.
For the initial step in mining, mineral exploration is initiated by the mining engineer where he looks for possible sources of particular fuel or mineral after which he determines the possibility of profit if mining operation be materialized in the area. With this, he needs to create a feasibility study where he discusses the advantages and disadvantages should a mine be operated there and then make recommendations with regards to the possible mine operation in that said place.
Mining engineers not only need at least a four-year degree in mining engineering, many mining engineers also have graduate-level degrees. Some also have degrees in surveying and geology, as well. These engineers are familiar with a large amount of technology as well as many surveying instruments, such as a theodolite, inclinometer and many types of alignment instruments and optical instruments.
You should know that if such a career opportunity be of interest to you, you may be able to find many colleges and universities all over the world you can go to. Why in the United States, the list is longer than a dozen with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Utah, the University of Kentucky, the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the Colorado School of Mines making up some of the slots.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier loves blogging about precision scientific instruments. To find a top quality precision alignment instrument, or to discover additional information about surveying instruments, check out the Warren Knight website today.