Students new to SIAST this fall have a new program option.

The new Mining Engineering Technology program is ready to go for the first time this year, with instructors, students, facilities, and equipment all in place.

27 plus students are expected to attend the 2 year program .

It was put in place due to the high demand for skilled workers in the mining sector, especially in Saskatchewan.

Dean of Technology at SIAST, Jamie Hilts, says the students will learn about mining safety, production, structures, geology, and the overall operations of it.

He says the program applies scientific principles to basic mining engineering problems in both hard and soft rock mining environments.

Funding for the program came from Western Economic Diversification, various mining companies, and SIAST itself.

(jl aug 1/12)