Thank you for visiting the website for Mining Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T), the home of the Miners.  I would like to invite you to learn more about what makes S&T Mining Engineering unique among her peers in the United States and the global community.  S&T Mining Engineering is a founding discipline of Missouri School of Mines (MSM) in 1870. MSM became the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) in 1964 and then S&T in 2008.  From its humble beginnings in 1870, S&T has continued its tradition of excellence in educating mining engineers.  Our graduates make a difference in industry and society, with scientific, technological and practical knowledge, leadership skills and professional ethics. Within the next decade, S&T will be recognized as the global university of choice for mining engineering education, research and outstanding graduate employees for the mining industry.  Our vision of global leadership will be achieved through seven core values that form the basis of S&T’s tradition of excellence.  These core values include excellence, ethics, experience, exposure, leadership, passion and our tradition

S&T offers a diversified portfolio of degree programs including the BS, MS, ME, PhD and DEng in Mining Engineering.  The BS degree program is fully accredited by ABET with a strong focus on surface and underground mining and their unit operations.  A new MS degree in Explosives Engineering was approved in the spring of 2010 with specialty areas in blasting, demolition and weapon systems.  S&T Mining Engineering is growing in all areas of an academic enterprise.  Enrollment grew from 155 in 2006 to 255 in 2010, a 65% growth. This growth was achieved through strong marketing initiatives, distance education growth and our partnership with the University of Botswana.  The number of graduates steadily increased from 20 in 2006-07 to 35 in 2009-10 with near 100% career placement in the mining industry, academia, government organizations, crude oil industry and consulting.  These statistics make S&T Mining Engineering the largest program in the United States.

All graduating engineers from S&T belong to a unique class of mining engineers called KEA88.  KEA88 identifies a high caliber of graduates possessing a comprehensive portfolio of Knowledge, Experience and Attributes (or behaviors) with an average job readiness factor of 88%.  These engineers are ready to face tough challenges in any mining environment.  For this reason, industry leaders describe S&T graduates as: (i) strong and competent engineers; (ii) engineers with excellent work ethic and a can-do attitude; (iii) engineers with superb problem solving skills; (iv) practitioners who get the job done; (v) good leaders and managers; and (vi) engineers with a passion for the mining industry.  S&T combines highly qualified faculty, administrative and technical staff and adjuncts from industry to educate these graduates within world-class environments. These environments include the S&T Experimental Mine, the Rock Mechanics and Explosives Research Center and several laboratories in rock mechanics, mine ventilation, explosives and mine health and safety.  The faculty is extremely active in extensive research initiatives, with an annual average funding between $2 million and $4 million.  

The program is supported by a strong Development Board comprising senior industry executives from several domestic and global companies.  These companies include Arch Coal, Barrick Gold North America, BHP Billiton, Casper Stone Quarry, Caterpillar Global Mining, Centerra Gold, Cloud Peak Energy, Conco Quarries, Consol Energy, Doe Run Company, Fred Weber, Goodyear Company, Immersive Technologies, Jack Kennedy Metal Products, Kiewit Mining Group, Komatsu America Corporation, Lehigh Hanson, Luminant Energy, Marston and Marston, Martin Marietta, Newmont Corporation, Orica USA, P&H Mining Equipment, Peabody Energy, USG Corporation, Vulcan Midwest Operations and Weir International.  We believe in strong partnerships with industry in educating and training the future leaders of the mining industry.  With the help of our industry and alums, the Department awards about $200K in scholarships and financial aid to S&T mining engineering students. 

S&T Mining Engineering maintains strong and active student chapters of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME), International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE), National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association (NSSGA), and Women in Mining (WIM).  Our students are also actively involved in Intercollegiate Mucking, Mine Rescue and SME/NSSGA Mine Design Competitions.  These and other extra-curricular activities provide our students with opportunities to develop their leadership, organizational, human relations, and team development skills.   These skills are vital to the practice of the mining engineering profession.  

We pride ourselves with our national and global network of friends, supporters and collaborators.  On behalf of the Department, I invite you to become part of this network as students, supporting industries, alumni or individuals to tell the story of a great program and a great industry that continue to change the lives of people and make the world a better place. Join us in continuing S&T’s tradition of excellence.

  Samuel Frimpong, PhD, PEng
Professor and Chair, Mining and Nuclear Engineering
Robert H. Quenon Endowed Chair