How to become A Mining Safety Engineer

Mines bring to mind high-risk workplace conditions that regularly challenge and sometimes endanger the mining personnel who put their lives on the line to extract precious minerals and metals from the earth’s core. As part of the core team that safeguards them, Mining Safety Engineers strive to make all stakeholders remember their “ABC - Always Be Careful.”

• Safety Engineer
• Safety Representative

What do Mining Safety Engineers do?

A Mining Safety Engineer would typically need to:

• Ensure the safety of mine workers; enforce comprehensive compliance with safety regulations
• Solve problems, process information, and make decisions regarding the safety of the mine; communicate findings to peers, managers, and subordinates
• Assist in the selection of safe locations for underground or open-pit mining
• Inspect structural integrity of mines to prevent cave-ins or rock slides; look for unsafe timbers, supports, cribbing, roof bolts, electric wiring, elevators, explosives storage, and equipment
• Test the air for dangerous contaminants; alteration or installation of ventilation shafts, partitions, or equipment to mitigate inadequate air circulation of air conditioning
• Examine all working conditions; lead rescue activities, and maintain rescue equipment
• Collaborate with the government and insurance agencies in investigating explosions, fires, and other mining accidents
• Use principles of mining and human engineering to design protective gear for the mining personnel and safety devices for the mining equipment
• Build technical reports for the benefit of management personnel and mining & engineering staff; include inspection results, remedial actions, and recommendations for new job locations
• Promote safe mining practices; train mining personnel on safety procedures and first aid; make them aware of critical safety measures to ensure compliance with government regulations

Mining Safety Engineers may work in and outside mines that are often remotely located. Those who work in a standard office use computers and other high-tech devices to efficiently accomplish their work.

They must communicate with managers, peers, or subordinates in person or through email, phone, and written form.

Although the job description includes a regular 9-5 schedule from Monday to Friday, most Mining Safety Engineers put in more than 40 hours per week; they often need to work overtime in case of a mining accident or rescue incident.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Mining Safety Engineers can boost their job search by contacting companies directly, using online and paper-based job search platforms, and inquiring at specialist recruitment agencies.

Mining Safety Engineers are generally employed by:

• Mining Companies
• Quarrying Companies
• Extraction Companies
• Environmental Consultancies
• Large Construction & Manufacturing Companies
• Mining Consultancies
• Universities & Colleges

Professional associations and organisations such as The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) are crucial for a Mining Safety Engineer interested in connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Exposure to air contaminants, hazardous mining equipment, bright lights, and loud noises
• Physical strain due to working in cramped spaces
• The need to work overtime during emergencies
• Being away from home for long periods due to travel to remote locations and work there for a stipulated period

Any academic program that a potential Mining Safety Engineer takes up usually requires a period of supervised experience gained through placements or the practical component included in mining engineering degree programs.

Entry-level positions prove to be excellent platforms for obtaining valuable work experience while building contacts in the industry and making your professional mark.

As in any career, reading as much as possible about the profession and interviewing those working in the mining industry are other important ways to explore your interest.

Prospective Mining Safety Engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in mining, minerals, geology, or geoenvironmental sciences. These degrees typically include coursework in engineering, technology, mathematics, design, and production processing. 

Students interested in entering mining and geology degree programs in college must take mathematics and science subjects in high school.

Voluntary certification from an objective and reputed organisation will help you stand out in a competitive job market and increase your chances of advancement when they cover safety, health, risk management, regulations, management systems, professional conduct, and ethics.

Certification demonstrates a Mining Safety Engineer’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination.

Experienced Mining Safety Engineers with consistent performance levels may be assigned more difficult projects and given greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions.

Qualification as a Professional Engineer (PE) will ease your promotion to senior positions where you will oversee junior engineers, sign off on projects, and directly serve the public. Those with a master’s degree in relevant fields can choose to go into academics as a university Professor or specialise in mineral resource development or mining regulations.

Candidates with a master’s degree in mining and geological engineering and a PE license have the best job prospects.

Mining Safety Engineers can choose to obtain a Professional Engineering (PE) license or a two-year master’s degree in mining and geological engineering to help drive career progression.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help you build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

Fraught with Danger

Due to the infrastructure and the activities taking place within mines, it is highly likely that explosions, cave-ins, collapses, or rock falls will occur. Fires caused by mining equipment may be beyond the traditional fire suppression systems. 

There exists the additional threat of malfunctioning mining machinery, which may cause fatal electrical hazards. Mining vehicles that do not offer clear visibility to operators could also put workers at risk. 

Continually breathing in the dust and debris present in mines can cause serious medical problems; permanent hearing loss due to frequently loud noises made by mining machineries such as roof bolters, bulldozers, continuous mining machines, and front end loaders is also likely to happen.

Tools of the Trade

You will be required to use safety lamps, methane detectors, carbon monoxide registers, and anemometers to detect the concentration of toxic gasses and explosive dust within mines.

Copper and gold were the first metals to be mined. The first copper find may be traced back to 8700 B.C.

Mining Safety Engineers ensure the mines are safe workplaces, so mining personnel feel more secure and more productive. This way, all the major stakeholders - the company, the employees and their families, the government, and the consumers benefit.

You must communicate effectively to ensure safe and efficient work while fostering a healthy working relationship between the management, technical departments, and operation personnel.