Mining Engineer and Mining Engineering Technician

A mining engineer conducts research, plans, designs, and operates those facilities which are used to extract minerals of value out of the earth in an effective, profitable and safe way.

The mining engineering technician’s duty is to ensure effective production and by working closely with geologists to explore mineral sediments.

Job Characteristics
 
Mining Engineer

• Conducting research and advising on, designing and developing new or improved methods to deal with engineering aspects of mining and oil, gas, and water extraction.



• Determining the types of machinery used for certain mining operations, planning the operation’s layout and directing the construction of shafts and tunnels.



• Determining the viability of mining mineral deposits.



• Establishing technical liaison and consultancy with other relevant specialists (e.g. geologists, metallurgists).

Mining Engineering Technician

Engaging in mining activities both underground and on the surface.

Using sophisticated techniques and equipment when employed in a specialised capacity.

Conducting outdoor explorations, surveys and inspections as well as working indoors in laboratories, offices and factories.

Requirements

Secondary Education
Possession of a HIGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with matriculation exemption and above average marks is required to gain admission to South African universities (in order to register as professional engineer).

A HIGCSE or outstanding IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, is needed for enrolment at a South African technikon (for the engineering technician route).

The B. Sc. (Eng.) degree can be studied at UNAM as a five-year programme for IGCSE entrants or four years for HIGCSE entrants, with appropriate passes. The first two years are spent at this university and the rest of the years at selected universities in Southern Africa.

A HIGCSE/IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, 25 points on the Polytechnic’s point evaluation scale, as well as 18 points on the engineering evaluation scale, is required for admittance to the N. Dip.: Mining Engineering as offered by the Polytechnic.

Currently, admittance to that course can also be gained if the candidate has passed at least four subjects on N3 level, including Mathematics and a Physics-related subject (40%). In both cases, at the Polytechnic, the person must also gain entrance into the English Communication module 2 through a proficiency test.

Compulsory subjects
Mathematics and Physical Science on HIGCSE level (South Africa)

Mathematics (at least C-symbol on IGCSE level) and 3 other subjects with a
C-symbol (UNAM)

Mathematics and a Physics-related subject (Polytechnic)

Tertiary Education
A four-year B. Eng. or B. Sc. (Mining Engineering) can be pursued at the following South African universities: Witwatersrand and Pretoria. After a three-year training period the candidate can register as professional engineer with the Engineering Council of Namibia.

A N. Dip.: Mining Engineering or B. Tech. (Mining Engineering) can be followed at some South African technikons. Registration as engineering technician (N. Dip.) or incorporated engineer (B. Tech.) with the Engineering Council of Namibia becomes possible after the completion of a three-year training period.

A three-year N. Dip. (or four-year B. Tech) in Mining Engineering can be pursued at most South African technikons allowing for registration as engineering technician. The Polytechnic also offers a N. Dip.: Mining Engineering, where students engage in four semesters of theoretical training and two semesters of in-service training.

After passing one year theoretical training (S1 and S2) plus one year practical training in the industry (P1 and P2), via the technikon route, the candidate obtains the National Certificate. After another six months of theoretical training he/she obtains the National Higher Certificate. If followed by another six months theoretical training (S4) the candidate obtains the N. Dip.: Mining Engineering.

Thereafter he/she has to work as engineering-technician-in-training for at least three years to be able to register as engineering technician with the Engineering Council of Namibia. A B. Tech. qualification allows for registration as incorporated engineer with the Engineering Council of Namibia. Persons having obtained the National Certificate of Higher National Certificate can also register with that council but after a longer period of in-service training. The same is true of people possessing a N6 in Mining Engineering.

Personality
The prospective candidate should be a creative, innovative individual with a great deal of drive and technological interest as well as practical inclination.

Work Opportunities
Mining engineers and mining engineering technicians can be employed by mining companies, the public sector and research institutions.

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