JOIN USThis course is mine of jobs
And more recently, terms like ‘Mechanical’ or ‘Electronics’ or ‘Computer Science’ have become inconsequential as the engineering degree has simply become a licence for an entry into the IT industry.
But for the adventurous few Dr T Thimmaiah Institute of Technology at Oorgaum in Kolar District is offering a course in mining engineering. It is increasingly proving to be both lucrative and bankable. The college formerly known as Golden Valley Institute of Engineering has been offering the course in mining engineering since 1986 with an intake of 40 students each year.
And what’s more, the mining engineering department has managed to achieve 100 percent placements for many years now.
Dr Syed Arif, the Principal of the college and Head of the Mining department says the boom in mining in the country has helped the college in attracting both public sector and private companies from all over India.
“Although this course was started primarily with Kolar Gold Fields in mind, the all-round boom today has resulted in the entire sector needing qualified engineers. Now, we have companies from all over such as Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Orissa coming to recruit our students,” he says.
Some of the organisations, which the college has attracted include Vedanta Resources, Triveni Earth Movers, Hatti Gold Mines, Baldota Group, NTPC and other public sector companies. Students from all over the country too are enrolling themselves for the course according to Dr Arif.
“We have students from Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Orissa, Bihar and even neighbouring countries like Bhutan,” Arif says. He adds that part of the lure is because the scope of mining engineering itself has extended beyond traditional underground mining, which was perceived to be grim and fraught with danger.
Rock mechanics
Today, the scope of the subject extends to development, production, marketing and even research. The National Institute of Rock Mechanics in Kolar Gold Fields is an institution, which does advanced research in mining and application of rock mechanics in other fields.
However, a rank holder and an alumni of the Dr T Thimmaiah Institute of Technology, Karmegan N says that although mining is lucrative, students must be prepared to work in remote areas.
An engineer with NTPC at Talaipalli Coal Mining Project at Raigarh in Chhattisgarh, Karmegan says, “Typically we have to work in remote areas. But more importantly, you can be employed as a full time engineer at a mine only after certification from the Directorate of Mine Safety of the labour ministry.”
But a final year mining engineering student at the college, Clarence Kiran Kumar is not deterred by the challenges or the risks. “Most of my seniors are in good positions and the job is also extremely interesting and adventurous. Every job has its own risks but that does not stop people from doing it,” Clarence declares.