About
Faculty members in the Department of Mining Engineering are at the forefront of next-generation mining technology and applications. Through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Alpha Foundation and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, researchers are making advances in rare earth element recovery, autonomous underground mining systems that improve safety and mitigate damage from underground coal mine explosions.
93
Undergraduates
$24
Average hourly co-op/internship salary
Summer 2024
$121K
Average salary 2-4 years after graduation
Glassdoor, 2024
$74K
Average starting salary
NACE, 2023
Explore Mining Engineering at the University of Kentucky
Undergraduate Program in Mining Engineering
The Department of Mining Engineering offers an ABET-accredited undergraduate program on the Lexington, Kentucky campus.
Graduate Programs and Certificates
Two Master’s degrees, a Doctor of Philosophy degree and a graduate certificate are available from the Department of Mining Engineering.
More than Coal
Rare Earth Elements
Due to their unique chemical properties, REEs are essential components of technologies spanning a range of applications, including electronics, computer and communication systems, transportation, health care and national defense. The demand for REEs has grown significantly in recent years, stimulating an interest in economically feasible approaches for domestic REE recovery.
