The mining engineering program emphasizes engineering as it applies to the exploration and development of mineral resources and the economics of the business of mining. The program offers specializations in exploration, mining or mineral beneficiation.

Students are prepared for job opportunities with mining and construction companies, consulting and research firms, equipment manufacturers, investment and commodity firms in the private sector, as well as with state and federal agencies.

The mining engineering program educational objectives are to graduate competent engineers who:

• are employed in the mineral and energy industries,
• can solve problems germane to Alaska, and
• are professionals and who understand the need to stay technically current.

Mining engineers may aspire to, and achieve, the highest positions in the industry: operating or engineering management, government agency director or entrepreneur. Starting salaries are among the highest in the engineering profession.

Students may initiate their mining engineering program in Anchorage and transfer to Fairbanks upon completion of their freshman or sophomore year. Anchorage students intending to transfer to Fairbanks should contact faculty of the UAF Mining Engineering Department.

Candidates for the B.S. degree in mining engineering must take the State of Alaska Fundamentals of Engineering examination. The Fundamentals of Engineering examination is a first step toward registration as a professional engineer.

The minor in mining engineering provides nonmining engineering students with an opportunity to acquire employable skills in the mining profession. Students in the mining engineering minor will be trained in a broad variety of topics such as mine ventilation, ground control, mine operation, economics, environmental law and labor management. Students will have the choice of other mining topics to make up the minor requirements.