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Quarry engineer

Alternative titles for this job include Mining engineer

Quarry engineers investigate potential sites, oversee extraction operations and restore sites at the end of their commercial life.

Average salary (a year)

£28,000 Starter

to

£56,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

weekends occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Quarry engineer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship

University

You can become a quarry or mining engineer by completing a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • minerals engineering
  • mining engineering
  • geophysics
  • geology
  • Earth sciences
  • civil engineering

Courses that give you the opportunity to gain work experience through internships, placements or a year in industry may give you an advantage when looking for work after your studies.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on a Minerals Product Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship. With experience and further training, you could become a quarry engineer.

This apprenticeship take 3 years to complete and combines on-the-job training with off-site study.

You'll need to be working in the quarrying and minerals industry to apply.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join The Institute of Quarrying to help with your professional development.

Further information

You can learn more about careers in the quarrying industry from Minerals Matter and The Institute of Quarrying.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • operations analysis skills
  • maths knowledge
  • design skills and knowledge
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a quarry engineer, you will:

  • use ground surveying techniques to collect site data
  • drill earth and rock samples for lab testing
  • build computer models of a site and its deposits
  • report findings to the management team to wok out a course of action

During operations, you will:

  • manage the day-to-day running of quarry operations
  • oversee technical staff
  • produce progress reports
  • monitor health and safety
  • draw up plans in case of emergencies like a tunnel collapse or flooding
  • plan site restoration for when quarry workings end

Working environment

You could work at a quarry or in an office.

Your working environment may be cramped, dusty and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a:

  • senior quarry engineer
  • project manager
  • overall site manager

You might also move into related careers like civil, construction or environmental engineering.

There may be opportunities to work on quarry and mining projects overseas.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Higher Apprenticeship - Mineral Products Management

  • Wage: £22,672 a year Annually
  • Location: Tytherington, Wotton under Edge

Higher Apprenticeship - Mineral Products Technician

  • Wage: £22,672 a year Annually
  • Location: Old Stockley Road, West Drayton

Courses In England

HNC Civil Engineering

  • Provider: MID-KENT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Maidstone

HNC Civil Engineering

  • Provider: NEW COLLEGE DURHAM
  • Start date: 15 September 2025
  • Location: Durham

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