Message from the Chair
Welcome to the Department of Mining and Explosives Engineering at Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T).
As one of the founding programs at Missouri S&T, originally established as the Missouri School of Mines & Metallurgy, our department has educated generations of engineers and industry leaders since 1870. Today, we continue this proud tradition while preparing students to address the challenges and opportunities facing the modern mining and explosives industries.
Our department offers a bachelor's degree in mining engineering and master's and doctoral degrees in mining and explosives engineering. Our students come from across the United States and around the world, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences that enrich our learning environment. What unites them is a shared passion for solving complex engineering challenges and contributing to the responsible development of the resources that society depends upon. From critical minerals such as rare earth elements, lithium, and copper to construction aggregates and industrial minerals, mining professionals play an essential role in supporting modern life. Likewise, advances in explosives and blasting technologies continue to improve safety, efficiency, and innovation across mining, construction, and national defense applications.
The impact of our profession is significant. The average American will use an estimated 3.07 million pounds of minerals, metals, and fuels during their lifetime, highlighting the essential role of mining in everyday life. Our graduates help meet these needs while advancing safer, more sustainable, and more efficient methods of resource development and infrastructure construction.
Students in our programs benefit from a strong foundation in engineering principles combined with extensive hands-on learning opportunities. Through our Experimental Mine, which includes surface and underground facilities, students gain practical experience that complements classroom instruction. Internships, cooperative education opportunities, undergraduate research experiences, and close interaction with faculty further prepare our students for successful careers. Our graduate students work alongside internationally recognized faculty researchers to address important challenges in mining, explosives engineering, safety, automation, sustainability, and emerging technologies.
Our graduates are highly sought after by employers and pursue careers in mining and quarrying operations, construction, technology development, consulting, national laboratories, government agencies, and defense organizations. The strong reputation of Missouri S&T's mining and explosives engineering program, combined with the support of our alumni and industry partners, provides exceptional opportunities for student success.
I invite you to explore our website to learn more about our academic programs, research activities, faculty, students, and alumni. If you have the opportunity to visit campus, I encourage you to schedule a visit and experience firsthand the people, facilities, and opportunities that make our department unique. We would be delighted to welcome you and share how Missouri S&T is helping shape the future of mining and explosives engineering.
Kind Regards,
Catherine Johnson
Department Overview
Our Programs
Mining and explosives engineering at Missouri S&T has 150 years’ experience in education and research. The department trains mining engineers to work in mines that produce critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, etc.), other metals (gold, copper, lead, zinc etc.), construction aggregates, industrial minerals (gypsum, phosphate, potash, etc.), and many other minerals. Our graduates also work on construction projects building tunnels for infrastructure needs and for companies that provide equipment and technologies to the mining sector. Our explosives engineering graduates pursue unique opportunities using explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics in mining, construction, defense, homeland security, demolition, oil recovery, fireworks, special effects and more. Salaries for our graduates start at $64,000 per year.
Our Research
Mining and explosives engineering at S&T has world-renowned faculty conducting research in critical minerals, mine automation, mine ventilation, miner health and safety, mineral processing, blasting, rock mechanics, sustainability, mineral property evaluation, and traumatic brain injury and other explosives-related hazards. One-on-one mentoring is available for graduate and undergraduate students with research opportunities for all. Several important patents and other mining intellectual property originated from the S&T campus, and our programs continue to make a difference in the industry.
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