Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering

What is Mining Engineering?

Mining engineering is the development and preparation of a mine in order to safely and efficiently remove resources while protecting the environment.

Resources extracted during mining are used in a variety of modern-day products, from toothpaste to cell phones to cars.

What does a mining engineer do?

As a mining engineer, you will identify the location of valuable and accessible material deposits and devise processes for extracting them safely from the earth for use in manufacturing and utilities.

Mining engineers strive to extract the minerals for the least cost and the lowest environmental impact and often specialize in one type of mineral or metal.

The field of mining engineering has become highly automated, utilizing robots, unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced explosives, and simulation technology.

As a mining engineering major at South Dakota Mines, you will be learning at one of only 13 such programs nationwide. The Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. To ensure students can access our world-class program, the department awards $250,000 in scholarship money each year

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology was founded in 1885 to provide instruction in the region’s primary industry, which was mining. And now it includes so much more.

Over the years, South Dakota Mines evolved into a leading science and engineering university and is committed to excellence in science and engineering academics and research. We are working to develop the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers through STEM bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees. We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and all undergraduate engineering programs are also accredited through ABET.

We offer a rigorous academic experience at a reasonable cost, with small class sizes, dedicated faculty, cutting-edge research, and many student programs and organizations. By the time they graduate, 75-80% of our students have had hands-on, real-world experiences through internships, cooperative education, or research projects. Our graduate and undergraduate students have research opportunities in areas such as energy and environmental systems, underground science and engineering, and materials and manufacturing. A few research examples include energy storage, cold spray technology, biomedical applications, and even disrupting criminal networks.

You are always welcome to visit our beautiful campus, but in case you can’t make it in person, we offer a virtual tour on our website. We are nestled in the eastern slope of the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Whether you prefer exploring the city or pursuing outdoor adventures, Rapid City and the Black Hills offer many options for you.

South Dakota Mines has been named one of the best engineering schools in the country for return on investment by College Factual for several years. In addition to rankings, there are many reasons to attend South Dakota Mines – great location, maximum value, personal attention and so much more.