The future lies in mining…

The facts are clear. For a career that is both personally and socially rewarding, becoming an engineer in the mining, geological and metallurgical fields is one of the best options for a student today. The benefits start on campus with myriad opportunities for internships and scholarships. At a recent career fair at the University of Utah, companies including Freeport-McMoRan, Komatsu and Rio Tinto were recruiting for more than 300 internship openings available in the summer of 2024. Upon graduation, students choose from a spectrum of career paths, and options to work internationally or across the United States. Graduates can look forward to rapid career advancement, as a retiring workforce makes way for the next generation, along with enviable job prospects, security and compensation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for mining and geological engineers in 2022 was $97,490. In the workplace, mining engineers work with sophisticated technology and cuttingedge concepts. In an age of green transition, they are essential in society to produce the critical minerals and materials needed for clean energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles. On Sept. 6, the U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $150 million in funding to advance cost-effective and environmentally responsible processes to produce and refine critical minerals and materials in the United States. Beyond the rigors of work and career, Mining Engineering (ME) found an undefinable something that draws students into a lifelong passion as they take the journey into the mining and minerals profession. Frequently coming up in the student feedback were references to a closeknit community and camaraderie. In this Feature Series on U.S. Mining Engineering Schools, ME conducts Q&A sessions with the department heads of ABET-accredited mining programs at universities in the United States and asks students, both past and present, for their candid feedback. Part 1 of the series features the Colorado School of Mines, Virginia Tech and the University of Kentucky. Feature Series on U.S. Mining Engineering Schools (Part 1) Steve Enders “Our graduates are highly sought after, and many get multiple job offers.” Colorado School of Mines Introduction by Steve Enders As part of the #1-ranked mineral and mining engineering school in the world since 2016 by the QS World University Rankings,* the Mining Engineering Department at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) has distinguished itself by developing curriculum and research programs geared toward responsible stewardship of the Earth and its resources, said Steve Enders, who handed over the reins as head of the department to Bill Zisch (see below) in December. “This encompasses the related fields of mining and underground construction and tunneling as well as more broadly in adjacent fields, including mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, Earth mechanics and excavation, environment, community relations and sustainability, industrial recycling, explosives engineering, mine tailings and waste management, mine closure and reclamation, and even space mining,” Enders said. “We collaborate with other programs and departments to cover the entire circular economy as it relates to mineral and energy resources.” The department currently has an enrollment of 101 undergraduate and 71 graduate students in several academic programs. They include a B.Sc. program in mining engineering, and three M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in mining engineering, Earth resource science and engineering, and underground construction and tunnel engineering. The department also offers coursework-only M.Sc. degrees as well as an online Professional Masters in mining industry management degree. “Our graduates are highly sought after, and many get multiple job offers. They work in a wide range of hard-rock mines, and many go into aggregate and industrial minerals operations. Others go to work in engineering, mine finance, mine equipment manufacturers, as well as mining service providers and related fields,” said Enders. Bill Zisch “Our program is designed around the application of engineering fundamentals to solve open-ended problems and develop skill sets needed to succeed in a complex, technology-driven industry.” Colorado School of Mines QA with Bill Zisch, J. Steven Whisler Chair for the Head of Mining Engineering What are the mining-related degree programs offered by Colorado School of Mines, and what are some of the subdisciplines? We have a current enrollment of 101 in our Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in mining engineering program, and 72 graduate students with M.Sc. enrollment of 49 and Ph.D. enrollment of 23. We offer Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs in mining engineering, Earth resource science and engineering, and underground construction and tunnel engineering, and a Professional Master’s in mining industry management. Subdisciplines include mine planning and scheduling, rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering, excavation engineering, mine design, explosives engineering and blasting, project feasibility and economic evaluation, data analytics, occupational safety, mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, industrial recycling, underground construction and tunneling, mine waste and tailings disposal, and mine technology. What are the strengths of the CSM programs? The Mining Engineering Department was established in 1874 to provide scientific and engineering support to Colorado’s booming mining industry. It was the first department at CSM, with the first Ph.D. in 1882 and the first M.Sc. in 1923. Today, the multidisciplinary program is ranked the #1 minerals and mining engineering program globally and has a strong emphasis on applied engineering education and research, including the Edgar Mine in Idaho Springs and many other unique facilities. Our scope is broad, ranging from space mining to deep underground mining, from mineral processing to industrial recycling, and from detailed technical to broad social and environmental areas. The department is attractive to students and faculty because of the #1 ranking of the minerals and mining engineering program in the world (QS World Ranking, 2016-2021) and its location in Golden, CO, adjacent to the Colorado Mineral Belt with mining corporations headquartered nearby in the Denver area. It also operates the Edgar Experimental Mine and Earth Mechanics Institute, which are full-sized teaching laboratories that are unique in the world; has a well-known high-profile faculty with relevant industry and research experience that covers all aspects of the mining lifecycle including recycling; and provides an outstanding hands-on student experience in a small department setting, which develops career-ready graduates for industry. In addition, I want to emphasize that our program is designed around the application of engineering fundamentals to solve openended problems and develop skill sets needed to succeed in a complex, technologydriven industry. Which industries do your graduates find careers in, and what are the career prospects? The mining engineering program at CSM is unique in that it prepares students for successful careers in multiple industry sectors extending from operations and engineering to supervision and entrepreneurial opportunities in metal/ nonmetal, aggregates and construction materials, industrial minerals, coal and energy fuels, heavy construction and mineral processing. Many students take advantage of opportunities with suppliers, contractors, consultants, equipment manufacturers, financial institutions and technology companies. Some of our students end up in government and regulatory roles, some go on to get a law degree, and others work in mine finance and commodity trading jobs. What are the current areas of research? Current and future research directions include (1) Critical minerals: mining, processing, recycling. (2) Automation: robotics, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML). (3) Environmental: environmental, social and governance. (4) Circular economy: full mine lifecycle integration. What are the future technology trends? They include industrial recycling, advanced pit algorithms to optimize operations, safety advancements in pursuit of zero harm, blast optimization and ore control, machine learning and AI applied to unit operations (sorting and separation), and autonomous equipment. What advice would you give to students to get the most out of their time at CSM? Get involved in extracurricular activities, particularly student organizations such as SME, ARMA, ISEE, WIM, Mine Rescue Competition, International Mining Competition Team, student government, and in fraternity and sorority or other social, academic or athletic programs. Even better would be to hold a leadership position in any of these organizations. Build your network of contacts among your peers at CSM, and spend time with your professors — they want you to succeed. Get to know them and ask them for advice when needed. It is also hugely helpful to get one or more summer internships, participate in field trips to mines and sites, and to take advantage of relevant and complementary elective courses (social, environmental, sustainability, business, mineral economics), and opportunities to acquire business acumen. Any other topics you wish to highlight? I think the CSM’s Edgar Experimental Mine is perhaps that most unique fullscale laboratory that our students get to experience. The Edgar Mine has been developed into four connected facilities that include separate teaching, research, and outreach sections underground and an Explosives Research Lab on the surface. We provide hands-on learning opportunities for nearly all of our upperdivision courses, as well as field trips, field exercises, a summer field camp and mine tours, as well as opportunities to attend professional meetings and conferences. As a result, our students are job-ready on day one of their first job after graduation. Not only do they have strong fundamental engineering and mining backgrounds, they are also familiar with current trends and expectations for social, environmental and sustainable mining practices that help provide a net positive impact for all stakeholders while meeting the mineral needs of the world. Jennifer Kinch Third-year student, degree in mining engineering Jennifer Kinch Third-year student, degree in mining engineering How has your time at CSM contributed to your personal growth? I feel like CSM has fostered my personal growth because I have been challenged to be the best that I can be as a student, team player, problem solver and critical thinker. I have also developed many hobbies from clubs and opportunities that the institution offers to students. At CSM, the opportunities are endless when it comes to learning, developing, and in extracurricular activities. CSM has shown me what good a community, team or even an individual can do to make the world a better place. In what way do you see your using in the future what you have learned? I see myself using my knowledge and skills to be the best engineer that I can be to ensure mining operations are designed safely for the people, communities and the environment. CSM has taught me that community is a home and we should strive to protect it and leave a place better than we found it. What advice would you give to a student considering a career in mining? My advice is to go for it! It is a close-knit community that welcomes anyone from any background. A career in mining is adventurous, challenging, rewarding and full of new discoveries. There are so many opportunities in mining and you can go anywhere you want. Seek out those opportunities, and take them. Chris Overley Degree in mining engineering with minor in explosives engineering, 2017 Chris Overley Degree in mining engineering with minor in explosives engineering, 2017 How has your time at CSM contributed to your personal growth? My time at CSM has been instrumental in my personal growth. The overall challenging curriculum, collaborative environments and amazing professors helped me develop my critical thinking, work ethic and ability to be part of a team. In what way are you using what you learned, and what do you see for the future? I am actively applying the knowledge gained at CSM in my current role, from textual knowledge to the ability to manage many high-priority tasks, as well as working in a team environment. Looking ahead at my career, I see plenty of opportunities to have a positive impact at Martin Marietta and the mining community, which all goes back to the foundation laid during my time at CSM. What advice would you give to a student considering a career in mining? For a student considering a career in mining I would encourage them to enter the field with an open mind, and always be willing to learn from the people around you. Networking within the industry is hugely important: seek internships to gain experience, and never be afraid to ask questions. Stay curious, and the mining industry will have plenty to offer. Kellen Flanders Project manager, Current project is sinking a shaft in the WIPP site in Carlsbad, NM | Harrison Western Construction “A degree in mining engineering from CSM opens a vast array of career paths.” Kellen Flanders Degree in mining engineering, 2017 How has your time at CSM contributed to your personal growth? My time at CSM was excellent both in and out of the classroom. Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, there are endless outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing and climbing right at our doorstep. The school has top-notch sports teams and is close to downtown Denver’s vibrant scene. While at CSM I found a community in which I was able to forge lifelong friendships. Initially, I struggled with physics and calculus, but the challenge taught me to develop effective study habits and by my junior year, I was excelling in the mining engineering program. Nearly every professor had impressive industry experience and was able to teach us not only the academic side but also about past projects they worked on, problems they encountered, and the solutions they developed and implemented. The faculty at CSM is so passionate about mining, they were instrumental in igniting my excitement for the field — an enthusiasm that remains with me today. The classes I enjoyed most focused on mine infrastructure, tunnel development and rock mechanics. This steered me toward a career in the underground construction and tunneling industry. CSM helped me develop skills such as analytical thinking, learning new concepts quickly, time management and prioritization. These skills have been crucial in both my personal and professional life. The strong SME Student Chapter at CSM also provides invaluable industry insight through guest speakers, improving my understanding of the mining world beyond academia. In what way are you using what you learned, and what do you see for the future? CSM equipped me with an understanding of rock mechanics, ground support and mining methods that are integral to my career in underground construction and tunneling. My education gave me a great foundation to start building professional experience. My career has taken me from excavating large tunnels to sinking deep shafts and developing extensive drifts. CSM taught me the methods and process for constructing these large projects, allowing me to hit the ground running whenever I join a new project team. The underground construction and tunneling program, which has grown since my graduation, was particularly relevant and prepared me well for joining the industry. Additionally, the organizational skills I developed at CSM are essential for managing complex construction projects. Looking ahead, I’m excited about the role of new technologies utilizing AI in mining, as well as the potential of the space resources program at CSM, which promise to revolutionize the industry. What advice would you give to a student considering a career in mining? A degree in mining engineering from CSM opens a vast array of career paths. I had not fully appreciated the breadth of opportunities available — from engaging with sophisticated mining technology and software development, operating in expansive underground and surface mines, working internationally and contributing to significant infrastructure projects in some of the world’s biggest cities. It is important for prospective students to understand the mining and tunneling industry’s central role in modern life. Tunneling provides transit and water infrastructure that allow cities of millions to function cleanly and efficiently. Mining provides the world with essential resources used in the construction of cities and the advancement of technology. Mining supplies the critical minerals and metals used in everything from battery technology, electric infrastructure and computer chips to medical innovations and fertilizers. The industry is challenging but, in my experience, immensely rewarding. The industry requires coordination with many people and stakeholders to solve complex problems, working with remarkable equipment, and a willingness to travel and work underground. For new students, I would recommend taking advantage of all the opportunities CSM offers. With CSM’s focus on relevant, engaging courses and cutting-edge research, graduates will be well positioned to thrive in an industry that is only going to grow increasingly vital in the future. Scott Fedel Underground development miner at Climax Molybdenum’s Henderson Mine | Cementation U.S.A. “Get involved early on in SME, Mine Rescue or, my personal favorite, the collegiate Mining Team.” Scott Fedel B.Sc. in Mining Engineering, 2017 How has your time at CSM contributed to your personal growth? My time at CSM was not what one would call traditional, and has taught me two main ideals that contribute continually to my personal growth. The first is that it is okay to fail as long as knowledge is gained from the failure and with that knowledge, the failure is not repeated. Simply put, failure is not something to fear but something that can be used as a catalyst to reach full potential. The second is to take pride in whatever you do and put forth your best effort no matter how small the task may seem. With pride and one’s best effort, there will be no true failure. In what way are you using what you learned, and what do you see for the future? While at CSM I learned that critical thinking and proper planning are crucial for developing a successfully implemented plan. It is especially imperative to utilize critical thinking to ensure that the engineered plan can be safely and properly executed by the workforce in the field. Just because the math and programming suggest an approach, remember that at the end of the day these are just tools, and it is the responsibility of the engineer developing the plan to ensure that it can truly be executed in the real-life application. My goal for the future is to build on the knowledge and skills I have learned from my time at CSM, engineering and mining to find myself in a position where I can help bridge the gap often seen between salaried personnel and the workforce when it comes to approaching seen or unforeseen problems to safely and successfully build, develop and produce the much-needed minerals and natural resources that the mining industry provides. What advice would you give to a student considering a career in mining? My advice is to get involved early on in groups like SME, Mine Rescue or, my personal favorite, the collegiate Mining Team. These groups are a great means to develop one’s personal network in and outside of CSM. The mining industry is a tight-knit and ultimately small group, and paths are likely to cross more than once throughout one’s career. The earlier one starts to develop bonds with others in the industry, the better. Virginia Tech Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech, VT) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Blacksburg, VA, which also has educational facilities in six regions statewide; a research center in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and a study-abroad site in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland. “The university’s mission is inspired by our land-grant identity and guided by our motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),” said Aaron Noble, head of the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering. “VT is an inclusive community of knowledge, discovery and creativity, dedicated to improving the quality of life and the human condition within the Commonwealth of Virginia and throughout the world.” For 150 years, the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, the ninth-largest producer of new engineering graduates in the nation, has been conducting life-changing research, educating the leaders of tomorrow and solving challenges that plague the world, like water contamination and cybersecurity. As a result, the college is ranked nationally as the 13th best undergraduate engineering program and 30th best graduate engineering program by U.S. News and World Report and 11th in research expenditures by the National Science Foundation. “The Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech is grounded and inspired by our mission to serve society through education and innovation to support the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible production of energy and mineral resources,” Noble said. “For over 130 years, we have been a destination for talent for aspiring mining engineers. Our graduates embrace and exemplify our core values of leadership, technical excellence, adaptability and community. Moreover, the department’s expert faculty, topnotch academic program, world-class research and strong industry ties help our students build rewarding and challenging careers to tackle energy and resource challenges,” he added. Aaron Noble “The vision is to cultivate students with both the technical acumen as well as the leadership mindset to build a successful and impactful career.” QA with Aaron Noble, P.E., Ph.D., Professor and Department Head, Mining and Minerals Engineering What are the mining-related degree programs offered by Virginia Tech, and what are some of the subdisciplines? The department offers undergraduate (B.S.) and graduate degrees (M.S. and Ph.D.) in mining engineering. All students take foundational courses in geology, mining engineering, mineral processing and environmental management. In addition, our flexible curriculum and course offerings provide students with the opportunity to take more advanced courses in focus areas such as mine health and safety, data analytics and programming, mine finance, geomechanics or process modeling, based on their interest and career aspirations. With respect to the undergraduate degree, we have made an intentional effort over the last five years to modernize and reinvent our curriculum. In addition to the core mining engineering courses, like surveying, mine design, explosives and ventilation, we now also require courses in key mining technical areas, including mine automation, mine water management, and resource project engineering. We also expanded our instruction in leadership, sustainability and communication, with students receiving dedicated coursework in these areas in each year they are in our program. For example, I teach a sophomore-level class called “Leadership for Responsible Mining,” where we discuss the sustainability practices and business leadership principles needed to ensure that mining is done both in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. In this class, students learn the principles of valuesbased leadership, conflict management, emotional intelligence and consensus building. Our “final exam” is a formal townhall debate where the students investigate a controversial mining project. And yes, the winning team, based on audience vote, does receive a higher grade. The vision is to cultivate students with both the technical acumen as well as the leadership mindset to build a successful and impactful career. What are the strengths of the VT programs? Like any mining company, the greatest strength of our program is our people. We have exceptional faculty, dedicated staff, and intelligent and hardworking students. The Mining and Minerals Engineering Department is a three-time recipient of Virginia Tech’s Exemplary Department Award, with the most recent award in 2021 recognizing our commitment to improving student well-being and academic engagement. Community is one of our department’s core values, and our culture exemplifies an intentional commitment to relationship building between and among our faculty, staff and students. VT is a large university with more than 38,000 students. Having said that, there are few places in the world where you can attend a large, topranked engineering program while getting a very personalized and close-knit experience from world-renowned faculty. We take pride in providing these opportunities. Which industries do your graduates find careers in, and what are the career prospects? Our students are well prepared to enter any sector of the mining industry. For the last decade, approximately half of our graduates enter aggregates and quarrying as their first destination with the other half split roughly equally between coal, industrial minerals, metals, support industry and military/ graduate school. We have found that most of our graduates remain in the mining industry, pursuing opportunities in either operations management or engineering, depending on interest. In addition, we have some graduates who went on to other exotic career fields, including SpaceX, Planetary Resources and Tesla, as well as a couple of self-employed entrepreneurs. What are the current areas of research? The department has many strengths and existing initiatives underway. VT has worldrenowned expertise in metals processing technologies, especially for critical minerals. The goal of our research is to give students the tools and education they need to be prepared for changes in the industry. Those changes include expanding into battery minerals and other technology metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and rare earths over the next decade. Another area of focus for the department is the broader area of energy systems and carbon management. The Virginia Center for Coal Energy Research at VT has long-standing expertise in carbon management. I see this as another area of research emphasis as carbon-neutral or carbon-negative mining becomes more important over the next decade, along with mining safety. What are the future technology trends? The technical and professional skills needed to be a successful mining engineer are expanding. Mine design, planning and permitting are becoming increasingly complex, and the integration of automation, data analytics, AI and other tools requires a broader knowledge and skills base. Moreover, mining faces increased social, legal, financial and environmental constraints that mining engineering graduates must understand. On the one hand, I see the rapid expansion of digital technologies being a disruptor in our field. Luck Stone and Caterpillar have announced that in 2024, they will deploy the first fully autonomous fleet in the aggregates industry in Chantilly, VA. We will continue to see similar advancements on this front. On the other hand, though, I also believe that mining engineers will also need increasing expertise in soft skills so as to navigate the social and public perception issues that constrain so much of what we want to do. With that in mind, my vision is that we at VT will deliver educational opportunities that are exciting, rewarding, inclusive and inspiring. I want our department and, more broadly, our field to be the destination for talent, where the best and brightest choose to seek the opportunities we can provide. I believe the curriculum must maintain a standard of rigor that our industry demands, but at the same time we must meet all students where they are and provide them with the resources and tools to be effective. We must continuously adapt our educational practices and areas of emphasis, but I do believe a robust blend of traditional classroom instruction, experiential learning, field work and career bridge experiences are needed to attain the best outcomes. What advice would you give to students to get the most out of their time at VT? Years ago, I too was a VT student, and I relished the multitude of opportunities that this university offered. In thinking about my experience then, as well as my current position, I would advise students to take advantage of the amazing faculty at this university. Spend time in office hours, set up one-on-one meetings, invite them to lunch or coffee, ask about their research, and most importantly, find ways to engage. Every faculty member chooses their career path because at some level, they have a true passion for teaching. Sometimes that passion is readily apparent, and sometimes it needs to be rekindled, but I can promise any new student that it is there. Faculty want you to be successful, and over time, you will find these relationships to be meaningful and beneficial. Brian Arnold Junior, B.Sc. in mining engineering “When I look around my classroom, I don’t just see mining engineers. I see financial analysts, lawyers, lobbyists, astronomers, geologists, data scientists.” Brian Arnold Junior, B.Sc. in mining engineering How has your time at VT contributed to your personal growth? VT has given me so many opportunities to meet with industry professionals who have relevant experience in my field of study. These interactions have led to research opportunities, internship offers and scholarships. Most importantly, it has given me chances to learn from these experts. VT also puts a major emphasis on not only our education, but also on personal development. Every class I have taken at VT has aspects of leadership, good stewardship and ethical decision-making. In what way do you see your using in the future what you have learned? My time spent at VT is not just spent pursuing a degree; I feel confident that what I am learning is practical and applicable to real-life situations. My professors have real industry experience, which they use to relate our classroom to the field. This makes what we are learning immersive and valuable. Ten years from now, I can see myself applying the experience I’ve gained through my labs at VT in the mining and minerals industry. This gives me a great starting point for my career, and I feel prepared and ready to make an impact. What advice would you give to a student considering a career in mining? The mining and minerals industry has so much more to offer than one could ever expect. It is the most specialized group of talent I’ve ever seen that is somehow so diverse. When I look around my classroom, I don’t just see mining engineers. I see financial analysts, lawyers, lobbyists, astronomers, geologists, data scientists — who all share a love for mining and minerals. Katie Kosloski Greenfield development manager | Luck Stone “Mining is an industry that will foster job security for years to come.” Katie Kosloski B.Sc. in mining and minerals engineering, Spring 2012 Where are you working now; what is your role? After graduation, I began working with Luck Stone, the largest family-owned and operated producer of crushed stone in the United States. I have been working with Luck since 2012 in several different roles with responsibilities in engineering, project management and operations. Currently, I use a mix of skills picked up throughout my career and my education at VT in my role as a greenfield development manager, where I have accountability for the growth of Luck Stone through the permitting and development of new quarry locations. Just as a fun fact, my sister is also a graduate of VT’s Mining and Minerals Engineering program (we are the only sisters to have graduated from the department). She works as a Professional Engineer for a mining consulting company, primarily focused in the gold sector of our industry. How has your time at VT contributed to your personal growth? My time at VT has contributed to my personal growth in several ways. From preparing me with the technical aptitude required to be a proficient mining engineer and project manager, instilling soft skills that have enabled me to be an effective leader, and fostering many relationships that have been key to my success over the years, the VT Mining and Minerals Engineering Department established a foundation on which I have been able to build throughout my career. I would not be where I am today without the course load, experiences and people whom I met throughout my time in the program. In what way are you using what you learned, and what do you see for the future? Every day I pull on technical and soft skills that I picked up throughout my years in the mining program at VT. In my current role I am responsible for conceptual site designs and high-level geologic analysis, both of which influence whether a potential greenfield is viable or warrants additional time and attention. The skills used in this analysis and my ability to articulate the potential value of a property in a technical report for our leadership team is a direct result of my degree. Also, once a site moves forward to permit, I use soft skills such as public speaking and influencing, which were developed in courses at school, to share information about the project to the regulatory agencies and communities. One of the biggest lessons I learned from VT is the value of people and relationships. The mining program at VT is a small and caring community of students and professors that taught me that although the job is often focused on ways to improve processes, extraction and machines, people are the most valuable resource in this industry. When folks feel encouraged, heard and respected, like I experienced in the mining department, it creates a culture of empowerment and fosters deep professional relationships. What advice would you give to a student considering a career in mining? I believe that mining is the best industry to work in because of the opportunities, need and the people. This industry offers endless opportunities for professionals to pursue different specialties and disciplines that can take you close to home or across the world. A degree in mining could lead you to becoming a mining engineer in the rural United States or leading a permitting project somewhere across the globe. Mining is also an industry that will foster job security for years to come. We have a saying that “If it isn’t grown, it must be mined,” meaning that society depends on natural resources to support the way of life we have and aspire to (examples include materials in items such as cell phones, roads, batteries and toothpaste). Our industry will continue to be tasked with finding or developing these resources in the most efficient, safe and sustainable way possible for lifetimes to come. As a student at VT, one of the best things about the mining department was the sense of camaraderie and culture of family that was felt by fellow students and faculty. Since graduation, I have had the opportunity to visit a number of different mine sites around the country and interact with countless mining professionals, and I continue to feel a similar sense of pride, care and camaraderie. This industry is full of passionate folks who love what they do and care about one another and the communities in which they live and work. My general advice for young professionals entering our business is to never be afraid to ask questions or share your opinion. It can often be intimidating as a newer contributor to raise a hand to inquire about something or share an opinion without a lot of experience to back it. I lived in this space for the first few years of my career and realize now that I could have had a significant positive impact on my professional development and the projects I was involved with if I had just been willing to step outside of my comfort zone. Maggie Noonan Ph.D. program, mining and minerals engineering | Virginia Tech “There are so many branches and practices in mining engineering that there is going to be an aspect that is extremely interesting for you.” Maggie Noonan B.Sc. in mining engineering, 2018. Started Ph.D. program in Fall 2022. Currently working on extraction and purification processes for rare earth elements How has your time at VT contributed to your personal growth? I feel that my time at VT was very formative in my young adult years. It’s where I learned so much about my abilities, resilience, independence and, of course, so much about mining engineering. It was really the time I came into my own as a person, as a friend, as a daughter and a sister, and as a young professional. In what way are you using what you learned, and what do you see for the future? I used the teachings of the mining engineering classes I had at VT every day in my four years in the industry. They always served as a basis for my decision-making as an engineer and production supervisor in the industry. I now use my undergraduate knowledge and industry experience in graduate school. I will use all the lessons and knowledge I have learned at VT, and they will carry into my future career as a professor of mining engineering. What advice would you give to a student considering a career in mining? I have personally found mining engineering to be a rewarding and engaging field to study and work in. I would encourage prospective students to go into their studies with an open mind. There are so many branches and practices in mining engineering that there is going to be an aspect that is extremely interesting for you. We are trained in many trades and engineering disciplines that are all integral to mining engineering and can be carried into other industries. University of Kentucky Founded in 1865, the University of Kentucky (UK) has cultivated a strong focus on research and development. The public land-grant research university has 16 colleges including the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, which houses the Department of Mining Engineering. According to the college, “We offer rigorous programs and enriching experiences that encourage collaboration and creativity. We provide an environment where students can cultivate curiosity through innovative research. We partner with industry through coops and internships to give students real-world experiences that lead to meaningful careers. We are a community making the future better through engineering.” Zach Agioutantis, chair of the Department of Mining Engineering, said, “Faculty members in our department are at the forefront of nextgeneration mining technology and applications. Through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Alpha Foundation and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), our researchers are making advances in rare earth element (REE) recovery, autonomous underground mining systems that improve safety, and mitigation of damage from underground coal mine explosions.” Approximately 25,000 ft2 within the Mining and Mineral Resources Building is controlled by the department, which has laboratories for automation and control, extractive metallurgy, mine electrical systems, mine ventilation, rock mechanics, and blasting and explosions. “The facilities available to the students and faculty of the Department of Mining Engineering at UK are among the most modern and spacious of any mining engineering program in the United States,” Agioutantis said. Zach Agioutantis “Our student organizations are extremely active and allow students to grow and assume leadership roles.” QA with Zach Agioutantis, Ph.D., Mining Engineering Foundation Professor, Department Chair What are the mining-related degree programs offered by University of Kentucky, and what are some of the subdisciplines? We offer an ABET-accredited B.S. in mining engineering. We also offer M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mining engineering. What are the strengths of UK programs? We are the best program! Our students get exposure to all types of mining and have tremendous opportunities for scholarships and internships. Our faculty have decades of experience, are very active in research, and can relate their experience through different courses in the curriculum. We consistently rank very high in the college of engineering in terms of research dollars/FTE. Our student organizations are extremely active and allow students to grow and assume leadership roles. Which industries do your graduates find careers in, and what are the career prospects? Our graduates work in multiple industries including coal, aggregates, metals and as consultants. What are the current areas of research? We do a lot of work in the critical minerals area, recycling of metals and critical minerals, robotics, automation, autonomous navigation, dust mitigation and methane emissions. What are the future technology trends? In terms of mining and mineral processing, we will need more automation, drones and robotics. We will also need to educate our students to be more flexible and versatile with respect to mining processes in an ever-evolving mining environment. What advice would you give to students to get the most out of their time at UK? Make the most of our exciting firstyear engineering program with a Living and Learning Program, tremendous scholarship opportunities, paid internships, paid undergraduate research, highly active student organizations, and mining field trips. We also have a very strong alumni network. Research projects Department faculty at UK collaborate very well with industry as well as researchers from other units and institutions, and generate considerable research output every year. Among the current research projects is a DOE-funded program on the development of a carbon-negative process for comminution energy reduction and energy-relevant mineral extraction through carbon mineralization and biological carbon fixation. The concept uses carbon monoxide emitted at or near operating mines and processing operations to reduce the energy consumed during grinding by more than 50 percent while improving the recovery of critical energy-relevant minerals by 20 percent or greater. The project is focused on applications involving ore sources of REEs and copper. The UK Explosives Research Team (UKERT) often participates in blast mitigation and explosives usage optimization studies. UKERT is currently working on a project related to technological innovations and human factors for effective miner self-escape from underground mine emergencies. This project involves extending an existing 8 ft by 8 ft shock tube, constructing a 1/10 scale model shock tube of the Lake Lynn Experimental Mine, conducting numerical modeling and, finally, providing a risk assessment related to the effects of geometry on methane explosion propagation. The research is conducted at the Georgetown Laboratory, which is situated in an underground limestone mine close to the UK campus. A recently started NIOSH-funded project is related to the development of an in-mine underground collision avoidance information system. This project aims to demonstrate an AI-powered hazard identification and alert system that can be retrofitted onto existing underground equipment. Department personnel are also working on the development of a stability mapping platform for stone mines that will combine numerical modeling and empirical criteria. This is a project funded by the Alpha Foundation for the Improvement of Mine Safety and Health and aims to develop a new platform that can be used to assess the stability of pillars in underground stone mines. A new software tool will be freely available to all stakeholders. Developing sustainable recycling technologies for e-waste continues to be an area of focused effort for UK Mining Engineering’s recycling research. One recent development is in utilizing end-of-life solar panels. High-grade silicon is recovered from damaged panels and evaluated for use as anode material in lithiumion batteries. The attraction of silicon-based anodes is their theoretical charge capacity, which is about an order of magnitude greater than incumbent graphite-based electrodes. This project is being conducted in collaboration with the Carbon Materials group at the UK Center for Applied Energy Research. Nathan Kelley Senior, B.Sc. in mining engineering “Everyone I have talked to has been more than happy to pass on their knowledge.” Nathan Kelley Senior, B.Sc. in mining engineering How has your time at UK contributed to your personal growth? My time here has contributed to my personal growth in many ways. For starters, it has allowed me to work with a variety of different people on various projects, which has grown my leadership, communication and teamwork skills. Along with this, my critical thinking and problem-solving skills have developed from the challenges I have faced these four years. In what way do you see your using in the future what you have learned? I see myself using these skills in analyzing and solving complex problems at my worksite and working effectively with those around me. What advice would you give to a student considering a career in mining? The best advice I can give so far is to always be open and talk to as many people as you can. I came into this industry not knowing what to expect, and these past few years have taken me places and shown me things I never thought I would see. You can only see and experience so many things first-hand. I have learned more from the people I have talked to than I ever could by myself. Everyone I have talked to has been more than happy to pass on their knowledge, and I cannot express my gratitude enough to them. Chandler Absher, P.E. Mining engineer, aggregates division | Hinkle Contracting Company – A CRH Company “We are working on and improving the foundation that society is building from.” Chandler Absher, P.E. B.Sc. in mining engineering, May 2018 Where are you working now; what is your role? I currently work for Hinkle Contracting Co. – A CRH Company, as a mining engineer in our Aggregates Division. My major areas of responsibility are exploration, mine planning, mine permitting, plant optimization and inventory management. How has your time at UK contributed to your personal growth? UK played a huge role in my development. From the beginning of my freshman year, even with only one introduction to the Mining Engineering course in my first semester, the Mining Department had a huge impact in trying to get students involved in their studies and with the Mining Department as a whole. Even though UK is a school with more than 30,000 students, the environment from the start was more along the lines of mentor/mentee in the Mining Department as opposed to a strict lecturer/ student environment. This fundamental change to how the curriculum is presented changed my mindset completely. This change took me from “I need to know this to make it through this class” to “I’m going to understand how this works and how I can apply this.” This allowed the faculty to help in the curriculum and set up how to build and develop students professionally. This effectively started laying the foundation of careers, which is extremely important to long-term development and success. Not only do you want to land on your feet transitioning to the workforce, but you want to excel when you get there. To me, setting up that foundation of professional development and success was the most valuable lesson I received in my time at UK. In what way are you using what you learned, and what do you see for the future? What you develop and learn in college is meant to kickstart you into the workforce, which UK and its faculty did extraordinarily well. In many ways, I transferred directly from what I was doing in my senior year at UK directly into the workforce in terms of knowledge gained and personal development. I immediately felt comfortable in many aspects of my job when I hired in and had no issue in branching out to learn more. Combine this with the career foundation that was developed in college, and it gave me the ability to perform well at a professional level. Ultimately, that is what I am still using the most in my career today. Which I believe will continue being beneficial in the future, not only to me, but hopefully to any future engineers I get the opportunity to mentor the same way I was. What advice would you give to a student considering a career in mining? Mining is such an incredible industry with an immense amount of opportunities in areas that I could never have thought possible. Like so many others who come into this industry, I gave it a chance with no previous background. I never knew mining engineering existed until six months before I graduated high school. The biggest piece of advice if someone is considering a career in mining is to simply give it a chance, and you won’t be disappointed. While it is challenging and every day is a different test, it is unbelievably rewarding, and is made up of such an incredible group of professionals who want to help in any way they can. When you think about it, we are working on and improving the foundation that society is building from. This industry and the unbelievable individuals who are in it are changing how we extract and refine materials to build the world. Abby Styer Quarry supervisor, Cape Sandy location over pit operations | Mulzer Crushed Stone “The mining industry has something for everyone. From mine design to processing to blasting to operations, there is a specific niche for anyone’s interests.” Abby Styer B.Sc. in mining engineering, December 2020 How has your time at UK contributed to your personal growth? Not only did I gain knowledge in engineering, I also learned how to be a better person and communicate with others. My time at UK instilled a work ethic that will continue to help me succeed in the future. Hard work helped build my confidence and grow my character. While in school, I learned the importance of community, networking and perseverance. In what way are you using what you learned, and what do you see for the future? At UK, I learned the fundamentals of the industry. I got the foundational building blocks of the bigger picture and have been able to build on them throughout my time in summer internships and my early career. Academically, I was exposed to many aspects of the industry including blasting, mine plant machinery, processing, economics and mine planning. This foundation helped me hit the ground running when I started working full time after graduation and has continued to provide opportunities for me to grow and advance in my career. The community at UK provides a network of support for this growth in myself and others. For the future, I see continuous growth in leadership skills and working in management of operations. What advice would you give to a student considering a career in mining? The mining industry has something for everyone. From mine design to processing to blasting to operations, there is a specific niche for anyone’s interests. Get involved, and see what those interests may be for you.

The future lies in mining…

Authored by:
Chee Theng

To view the past issues of the UCA magazine you must be a member of SME/UCA.

From sessions to strategy: Revealing long-term and emerging innovation trends in data analytics, intelligent systems and automation

Mining education gets federal boost as industry faces workforce crunch

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From sessions to strategy: Revealing long-term and emerging innovation trends in data analytics, intelligent systems and automation

Mining education gets federal boost as industry faces workforce crunch

Critical minerals management on the federal seabed

To view the past issues of the UCA magazine you must be a member of SME/UCA.

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