Mining Engineering Technology

Sudbury sits on one of the richest mining districts on earth, and this is where you can learn to plan the mines of the future. Mining Engineering Technology is a three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma, delivered over six semesters at Cambrian College, that prepares technologists for underground and open-pit operations.

Year one pairs Geology I and II, Chemistry for the Geosciences, Introduction to Mining, Mining Methods 1 and Mine Engineering Graphics with Surveying I - Mining and Surveying II theory and lab. Year two moves into Geological Fieldwork, Mining Health and Safety 1, Technical Computer Applications 1, Mine Layouts and Planning 1, Mine Blasting Techniques, Mine Ventilation I, Ground Control, Applied Mine Survey and Mineral Resources Evaluation. The final year covers GIS Application Mining, Applied Geomechanics, Mine Ventilation II, Applied Mine Design 1, Environmental Management for Mining, Mining Project Management, Mine Scheduling & Estimating, Mineral Economics and Mine Services, with a technical report to finish.

Straight after semester two you spend ten days at the Mineral Resources Field Camp, applying surveying and geology in the field. Between semesters four and five an optional, competitive 12 to 14 week co-op can place you with a mine operator, a mine service company or an exploration firm. The programme is accredited by Technology Accreditation Canada and recognised by the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists. It shares its first two years with Cambrian’s Mining Engineering Technician diploma, and graduates may earn credit towards college or university study.

Graduates work in mine engineering offices and production areas as mine planning technologists, ventilation technicians, ground control technicians, mine surveyors, exploration technicians and junior mine supervisors, with further routes into technical sales and contracts. The programme suits practical problem-solvers who are comfortable with maths, enjoy field and underground work, and are open to postings in remote Canadian or overseas operations.