WorldWide Drilling Resource

56 JULY 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Mining Engineering Degree Popular at South Dakota College Adapted from Information Provided by the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology For those looking to enter the world of mining engineering, the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology offers a program designed just for you! Utilizing input froman industrial advi- sory board consisting of executives from a variety of industries such as coal, metal, and aggregates, as well as services such as explosives and equipment, this program is one of the best in the nation. Some of the industry names represented on the board include Austin Powder, Barrick Gold, Foundation Coal, Kiewit Mining, Newmont Gold, Peabody Energy, and more. This college is rich with mining edu- cation history. It was originally estab- lished in 1885, by the Dakota Territorial Legislature (South Dakota didn’t become a state until 1889) as the Dakota School of Mines. By 1943, the state legislature changed the name of the institution to the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology to recognize the school's expanded role into new areas of science and technology. Today, the school is re- garded as one of the 100 Best College Buys in the Nation with starting salaries for graduates averaging over $57,000. Graduates from the college’s Mining Engineering program have the analytical, technical, and mine design abilities nec- essary to work in the field of mining engi- neering. They are capable of fulfilling a mining engineer's chief responsibility - get the most ore out of each site for the least cost while having a small environ- mental impact on the area. This is accom- plished by teaching them how to provide technical assistance in areas such as rock mechanics, ore reserve evaluation, mine design, equipment selection, and mine land reclamation. The award-winning undergraduate program is enhanced by graduate edu- cation and research and development. They design, con- struct, and oper- ate the most mod- e r n t echno l ogy to meet today's unique challenges and are held in the highest regard. Key manage- m e n t - r e l a t e d concepts mining eng i nee r s dea l with on a regular b a s i s i n c l u d e health and safety, economi cs and f i n a n c e , l a b o r relations, project m a n a g e m e n t , e n v i r o nme n t a l m a n a g e m e n t , labor, and envi- ronmental law. All of these concepts a n d mo r e a r e i nc l uded i n t he c u r r i c u l um o f t h e M i n i n g Engineering and M a n a g e m e n t degree. In addition to the Mining Engineering and Management core curriculum, stu- dents can take elective courses in engi- neering and construction materials; advanced rock mechanics; computer application in geoscience modeling; rock slope engineering; coal mining; engineer- ing project management; and advanced management techniques. The program also offers excellent scholarship, internship, and co-op oppor- tunities. A staggering 98% of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology graduates find work or are enrolled in a graduate program less than one year after graduation. Mining Graduates Earn More than Ivy League Graduates Adapted from Information by PayScale, Inc So, your child is considering vari- ous colleges for their impending future. If they are considering a career in the mining industry, here is some interesting information about the average starting salary for those graduating college. Based on 2012-2013 PayScale College Salary Report: Whether students are interested in becoming a mine engineer, geologist, equipment operator, accountant, welder, mechanic, or electrician, the mining indus- try can provide the next generation with good paying jobs just as they have for decades. School Starting Salary Colorado School of Mines $64,200 Princeton University $58,300 South Dakota School of Mines & Technology $57,300 University of Pennsylvania $56,100 Cornell University $54,800 Columbia University $54,700 Dartmouth College $54,100 Brown University $52,400 Harvard University $50,700 Yale University $48,900