North American Mining exclusively talked to West Virginia University’s Dr. Qingqing Huang about the current state of mining engineering education.
By Jonathan Rowland
If the North American mining industry is to support the supply of critical metals and minerals, it needs mining engineers. Yet, U.S. and Canadian mining schools are “not graduating enough mining students to meet current demand,” Dr. Qingqing Huang, the Robert E. Murray Chair and associate professor in Mining Engineering at West Virginia University (WVU), told NAM.
The story is a familiar one. “There will continue to be high demand for mining engineers in the short and long term, especially with the looming labor deficiency associated with retirement over the next two decades, and the crucial role mining engineers play in the metal and energy sectors.” Yet, in a classic case of disjointed thinking, securing a steady supply of mining engineers receives far less attention and support than securing supplies of the minerals they help mine, even though one cannot happen without the other.
Despite this long-recognized and discussed situation, mining schools face a challenging admissions environment, arousing tepid interest (at best) among new generations of students. WVU’s prestigious mining school was threatened in 2022 and 2023 with merger with the university’s petroleum and natural gas engineering school.
According to Huang, who joined WVU as an assistant professor in August 2017 from the University of Kentucky, where she completed her PhD in mining engineering, maintaining independent mining schools should be considered necessary, not optional.
“Mining engineering is an essential discipline with broad application not only in our daily lives but in high-tech industries, clean energy sectors, healthcare, and national defense. Based on my experience working in an independent department at WVU, I believe it is crucial to maintain mining engineering as a distinct entity to ensure that appropriate resources can be allocated to support the program’s growth.”
Where have all the mining engineering recruits gone?
Recruitment and retention are among the key issues here, with all mining engineering programs in the U.S. facing enrollment issues.
“WVU is continuously working to position itself more effectively, overcoming these challenges and preserving our identity. Our goal is to educate and equip our students to be leaders in mining engineering, helping meet society’s critical demands.”
WVU recruiters actively participate in local and regional recruiting events to attract prospective students, including those interested in mining engineering, she added. “We launched a social media advertising campaign showcasing the experiences of recent mining engineering graduates to audiences in West Virginia and neighboring states. Our team works closely with the outreach and recruitment office to raise program awareness and boost enrollment numbers.”
As part of these recruitment efforts, WVU recently approved a new Mine Safety Practices and Health Certificate, which aligns with current industry best practices and is designed to prepare students for key challenges in the mining industry. Meanwhile, the university is in ongoing discussions to develop 2+2 programs to facilitate student transfers from local community colleges to WVU. The mining engineering program was also included in the Ohio reciprocity agreement, which qualifies Ohio residents admitted into mining engineering for in-state tuition.
In search of new strategies
“We are fortunate to benefit from the knowledge and extensive expertise of our alumni and industry partners,” Huang continued. “However, to ensure growth, we as a mining community need to think about new strategies to attract young generations and change the public’s perception of mining engineering. It is also important for U.S. mining programs to receive all the support and resources they need to grow from universities and private and public sectors to maintain their critical role.”
The public school system is one example where interest in mining engineering can be kindled early.
“In general, U.S. public school systems are good at supporting early interest in STEM subjects through activities and initiatives like STEM summer camps and teachers boot camps,” said Huang. “However, exposure to each engineering discipline varies, and mining engineering may not be as well publicized as others. As a result, only a few know about mining engineering and what we do as mining engineers.”
To help rectify that deficit, WVU is supporting K-12 Engineering Challenge camps and high school visits. These camps introduce students to mining engineering through explosives demonstrations and virtual reality experiences that provide a more realistic view of the profession.
The private sector, including mining companies, is also “very supportive of U.S. mining programs,” continued Huang. “WVU Mining Engineering has received continuous support from our industrial partners, ranging from field trips, scholarships, student internships, and job placements to financial support and recruiting.”
Meanwhile, federal and state governments increasingly realize the significance of mining, its associated workforce, and mining engineering education.
“Recently, the House Natural Resources Committee passed the Mining School Act, which aims to establish a grant program for mining schools to receive funds to recruit students and carry out studies, research projects, and demonstration projects related to the production of minerals,” explained the WVU professor. “It would be highly beneficial if the Mining School Act were finally implemented and utilized to support U.S. mining programs. Unfortunately, it was not included in the latest National Defense Authorization Act.”
What is the future of mining engineering education?
“Mining engineering is an ever-evolving industry, constantly implementing new technologies and practices,” concluded Huang.
“The future of mining education should focus on educating students and the public about the current state of mining, including mine automation, autonomous mining, critical mineral extraction, production, and safety and health practices.
As mining becomes ever more vital, given its crucial role in various mineral and energy sectors, so too will mining education. We are dedicated to recruiting top talent, educating, and preparing future leaders in the mining engineering field to drive economic growth and prosperity.”
Dr. Qingqing Huang is the Robert E. Murray chair and associate professor in Mining Engineering at West Virginia University. Photo: Paige Nesbit/WVU