Mining and Explosives Engineering

Program Overview

This program trains students to become mining and explosive engineers, professionals who extract critical materials and resources using science and engineering principles. Graduates can expect to earn competitive salaries, with graduate students averaging $123,250. Research areas include sustainable minerals, health and safety, and energetic materials.

Program Outline

Careers:

• Mining and explosive engineers work in all kinds of mines and environments to provide critical materials (e.g.
lithium and rare earth elements) and other resources (e.g.
• Average starting salary of S&T mining engineering undergraduates (June 2023): $76,816
• Average starting salary of S&T mining and explosives engineering graduate students: $123,250
• Research Fields: Sustainable Minerals and Resources, Health and Safety, Energetic Materials, Ground Control, Mine Automation
• Research in Mining and Explosives Engineering: S&T faculty and students are engaged in all aspects of minerals and explosives research to ensure the mines of the future are safe, have a low ecological footprint, and the use of energetic materials is safe and effective.
As the world transitions to green energy systems, the projected demand for critical minerals such as rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt and copper is orders of magnitude higher than current demand. Explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics are increasingly relevant to industry and national defense.