Mining engineer

Quarry engineers explore new sites, oversee extraction operations and manage sites at the end of their commercial life.

Salary Range: £22,000 to £60,000

How to become a quarry engineer

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

University

You can become a quarry or mining engineer by completing a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree. You can choose from a subject like:

• minerals engineering
• mining engineering
• geophysics
• geology
• Earth sciences
• civil engineering

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a higher apprenticeship in minerals product technology. With experience, you could then become a quarry engineer.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join The Institute of Quarrying to help with your professional development.

Further information

You can find out more about working in quarrying from Careers in Quarrying and The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• maths knowledge
• knowledge of building and construction
• design skills and knowledge
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of English language
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and requirements

Some job opportunities are on overseas contracts, so you may need to move abroad for work.

What you’ll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your tasks will usually include:

• using ground-surveying techniques to check the site’s geology
• drilling earth and rock samples for lab testing
• building up computer models of a site and its deposits
• making recommendations on how to proceed

If mining goes ahead, you’ll be:

• managing the day-to-day running of operations
• overseeing technical staff
• producing progress reports
• monitoring health and safety
• drawing up plans to guard against emergencies like a tunnel collapsing or flooding
• making plans for restoration of the site after quarry workings end

Working environment

You could work at a quarry or in an office.

Your working environment may be cramped, dusty, dirty and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into related careers like civil, construction and environmental engineering. 

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