Engineering Professional Examination — Mining Engineering

Sample Mining Engineering practice questions

Try these 12 questions from different topics. Open "Show answer" to check yourself and read the explanation.

1. Question 1 · Mine Safety & Hazard Control

   Which control is preferable for respirable dust when technically feasible?

   1. A.Capture or suppress the dust at its source with an engineering control
   2. B.Rely only on disposable masks
   3. C.Increase the time workers spend in dust
   4. D.Remove ventilation monitoring
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Capture or suppress the dust at its source with an engineering control

   Source-based engineering controls are more reliable than controls that depend entirely on worker behaviour.

2. Question 2 · Ground Control & Emergency Response

   Workers observe fresh cracking and falling material in an underground work area. What should happen first?

   1. A.Continue production until the shift ends
   2. B.Withdraw people from danger, isolate the area and obtain competent ground-control assessment
   3. C.Cover the crack with paint
   4. D.Send one unprotected worker to investigate alone
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Withdraw people from danger, isolate the area and obtain competent ground-control assessment

   Signs of instability require immediate protection of people and competent assessment before work resumes.

3. Question 3 · Environmental & Professional Responsibility

   A mine-plan change could materially increase community water contamination risk. What should the engineer do?

   1. A.Hide the change from reviewers
   2. B.Assume dilution will solve every contaminant
   3. C.Assess, document and communicate the risk and require adequate controls before approval
   4. D.Approve it because environmental effects are outside engineering
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Assess, document and communicate the risk and require adequate controls before approval

   Professional responsibility includes transparent assessment and control of foreseeable public and environmental harm.

4. Question 4 · Ghana Mining Law & Regulation

   The principal law governing mineral rights in Ghana is the:

   1. A.Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767)
   2. B.Companies Act, 2019
   3. C.Minerals and Mining Act, 2006
   4. D.Petroleum Commission Act, 2011
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Minerals and Mining Act, 2006

   It has been amended several times since 2006.

5. Question 5 · Surface & Underground Mining Methods

   A pit that must remove 600,000 t of waste to mine 150,000 t of ore has a stripping ratio of:

   1. A.0.25 : 1
   2. B.6 : 1
   3. C.4 : 1
   4. D.1.5 : 1
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 4 : 1

   Stripping ratio = waste ÷ ore.

6. Question 6 · Drilling & Blasting

   Powder factor in blasting is expressed as:

   1. A.The number of holes per bench
   2. B.Explosive price per kilogram
   3. C.Explosive mass per tonne of rock broken
   4. D.Blast duration
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   Answer: C. Explosive mass per tonne of rock broken

   500 kg breaking 2,000 t gives 0.25 kg/t.

7. Question 7 · Mine Ventilation

   The main purposes of mine ventilation include supplying fresh air and:

   1. A.Increasing the temperature of working places
   2. B.Removing dust, gases, fumes and heat
   3. C.Spreading dust evenly
   4. D.Drying the ore for processing
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Removing dust, gases, fumes and heat

   Ventilation is planned for all active workings.

8. Question 8 · Ghana Mining Industry

   Ghana's most important mineral export by value is:

   1. A.Bauxite
   2. B.Gold
   3. C.Manganese
   4. D.Diamonds
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Gold

   Ghana is Africa's leading gold producer.

9. Question 9 · Mining Geology, Sampling & Surveying

   Most of Ghana's primary gold deposits are hosted in:

   1. A.Young volcanic rocks of the Volta Basin
   2. B.Coastal sand dunes
   3. C.Limestone caves
   4. D.Paleoproterozoic Birimian greenstone belts
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Paleoproterozoic Birimian greenstone belts

   The Ashanti belt is a major example.

10. Question 10 · Artisanal & Small-Scale Mining

    Mercury-free gold recovery in small-scale mining can be achieved by:

    1. A.Improved gravity concentration
    2. B.Burning amalgam in open pans at home
    3. C.Adding more mercury
    4. D.Dumping ore in rivers
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Improved gravity concentration

    Gravity methods reduce mercury exposure and pollution.

11. Question 11 · Mine Equipment, Water & Tailings

    An LHD in underground mining is a:

    1. A.Light haul drone for surveying
    2. B.Large hydraulic drill
    3. C.Lift-hoist device
    4. D.Load-haul-dump machine
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Load-haul-dump machine

    LHDs load broken ore and carry it to ore passes or trucks.

12. Question 12 · Ethics, Competence & Public Safety

    The paramount duty of a professional engineer is to:

    1. A.Hold public safety, health and welfare paramount
    2. B.Maximise profit for the employer on every project
    3. C.Complete projects as quickly as possible
    4. D.Please the client at any cost
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hold public safety, health and welfare paramount

    Public safety overrides commercial pressure.