Mining Engineers
Job description
These individuals plan, design, organize, and supervise the development of underground and surface mines, mining facilities, systems and equipment. They prepare and supervise the extraction of minerals and ores. They are employed by:
- Mining companies
- Consulting engineering firms
- Manufacturing plants
- The government
- Research institutes
- Educational institutions
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Climatic conditions
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Nontoxic dust
- Uncontrolled ambient temperature
- Noise
- Falling objects
Main tasks
- Carry out preliminary studies on the ore, mineral deposits, or coal (carbonaceous rock).
- Assess the economic and environmental feasibility of mining operations.
- Select safe and efficient methods for the exploitation of mineral deposits and the construction or demolition of structures.
- Design wells and systems (aeration, traction, support, etc.).
- Develop and test computer applications to model and map mines and monitor mine conditions.
- Participate in the design and execution of mine site redevelopment and restoration work.
- Plan, organize, and supervise the development, operation, and maintenance of mines.
- Provide cost estimates, schedules, and reports.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of Technicians, Technologists, and survey personnel.
- Analyze and follow up on restoration plans and financial guarantees.
Advancement and mobility
- Experience leads to senior or supervisory positions.
- There is some mobility between Mining Engineers and other Engineers and Scientists (Geologists, Metallurgical Engineers, etc.).
- These individuals may work in related fields (science, engineering, sales, marketing, management, etc.).
Hourly wage
Not available.Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
All of Québec
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
All of Québec
Gender distribution
All of Québec
- 17.2% Female
- 82.8% Male
- 17.2% Female
- 82.8% Male
Job types
All of Québec
- Full time
- Part time
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
-
NAICS 2167% of jobs
-
NAICS 5413, 541416% of jobs
-
NAICS 913% of jobs
-
NAICS 3313% of jobs
-
NAICS 5416, 54173% of jobs
-
Others8% of jobs
All of Québec
-
NAICS 2167% of jobs
-
NAICS 5413, 541416% of jobs
-
NAICS 913% of jobs
-
NAICS 3313% of jobs
-
NAICS 5416, 54173% of jobs
-
Others8% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
University
Geological engineering
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 58.1%
41.9% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 60%
30% of graduates pursue further studies
Mining and metallurgical engineering
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 80%
13.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 77.8%
22.2% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Membership in the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ [Quebec Order of Engineers]) to practise as an Engineer and carry out activities that are reserved for them.
Sometimes required
- A Master’s or Doctoral degree in a related engineering discipline may be required.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Information processing
- Solving complex problems
- Reading comprehension
- Critical thought
- Written expression
- Oral expression
- Judgment and decision-making
- Active listening
- System analysis
- Result evaluation
- Systems evaluation
- Mathematics
- Active learning
- Coordination
- Science
- Time management
- Operation analysis
- Teaching
- Learning strategies
- Human resource management
- Material resource management
- Monitoring operations
Abilities
- Awareness of issues
- Classification
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Deductive reasoning
- Written expression
- Verbal skills
- Inductive reasoning
- Information organization
- Speech clarity
- Mathematical reasoning
- Speech recognition
- Idea generation
- Near vision
- Processing flexibility
- Originality
- Selective attention
- Basic numeracy
- Visualization
- Distance vision
- Perception speed
- Information processing speed
Knowledge and attributes
- Critical thinking
- Focussed on results
- Sense of responsibility
- Capacity to influence and mobilize
- Capacity to work in a team
- Respect standards and regulations
- Creativity
- Capacity for synthesis
- Knowledge of engineering and technology
- Knowledge of design
Interests
- Direct, organize, and manage
- Draft, communicate, and inform
- Work with numbers
- Work in an office
- Create, design
- Carry out research
- Develop and exploit natural resources
- Work outdoors
- Make technical plans and drawings
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Enterprising
- People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.
Official name of the NOC 21330
Mining engineers
Job titles
- Mining engineer
- Mineral engineer
- Mine production engineer
- Mine safety engineer
- Consulting mining engineer
- Mine ventilation engineer
- Mine planning engineer
- Mine design engineer
- Mines exploration engineer
- Mine development engineer
- Mineral dressing engineer
- Mine layout engineer
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026