ID
male geology student working with mining machinery

Responsible Mining

The responsible mining certificate is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career related to responsible resource development. Explore U.S. environmental and sustainability law; origin, exploitation, and evaluation of metallic and nonmetallic mineral deposits; and much more.

Available as
Certificate
Description

Mining Resources Responsibly

This certificate is designed primarily for comprehensive geology majors. Curriculum throughout the program will explore topics like proper selection and permitting of economic deposits, managing environmental compliance, conducting environmental remediation, and what it's like working for environmental and hydrogeologic consulting firms.

Upon graduation, you'll be prepared to protect the environment by enforcing regulations, restoring brownfield sites, managing water resources and so much more. The certificate is an excellent choice for those who wish to join state regulatory agencies, such as the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Degree Types

Program Details

Degree Types
Certificate
Degree Level undergraduate
Available asCertificate
Campus
Eau Claire
Offered
On Campus
Requires a minor No
Authored on
Hallmarks
Geology student group at area mining site in protective gear
Real-World Preparation

While pursuing your certificate, you'll participate in a valuable responsible mining seminar, where industry speakers from mining, environmental consulting, and regulatory agencies will discuss the environmental and political aspects of responsible mining. Preparation for internships and jobs is stressed throughout the seminar, as well as best practices in networking and technical writing.

geology student interns at area industry signage
Access to Internships

An internship in mining, environmental consulting, or a regulatory agency is strongly recommended, and UWEC faculty and advisors will do their best to help you secure one. The Geology and Environmental Science Department has a strong history of placing students at renowned companies — and many students' internships are paid.

students doing GEOG study in campus creek
Countless Learning Opportunities

Geology students are known for having incredible outside-the-classroom learning opportunities. Whether you participate in unique field experiences, learn from experts in the Earth Science Seminar Series, participate in a student-faculty research project, or study abroad, you'll have direct access to experiences that take your learning to the next level.

Facts List

Just
the
facts

"Green" Job Skills in High Demand
The need for sustainability jobs currently exceeds the number of candidates with the right skillsets — making our grads highly desirable.
World Economic Forum
Ranked a Top Green College
UWEC is among the most environmentally responsible universities in the nation.
Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges 2025
Courses information
SampleCourses

Through coursework, the responsible mining seminar and a strongly recommended internship of your choice, you will complete this certificate able to use analytical and quantitative methods to evaluate critical environmental problems. From analyzing geological data using mathematic and computational methods to writing and evaluating geological papers, you will gain a well-rounded understanding of responsible resource development that will set you apart in your career.

Here are a few courses in Responsible Mining at UW-Eau Claire.

GEOL 365

Economic Mineral Deposits

Origin, association, and exploitation of metallic and nonmetallic mineral deposits. Study of ore suites from selected mining districts and methods of evaluating ore deposits.

GEOL 452

Responsible Mining Seminar

Industry speakers will discuss environmental and political aspects of responsible mining. Preparation for internships and jobs will be stressed.

GEOL 416

Hydrogeology II

Review of principles of groundwater flow and contaminant transport, reactive groundwater contamination, groundwater remediation, chemical evolution of natural groundwater, flow in the unsaturated zone, advanced groundwater flow and contaminant transport computer modeling, water law.

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