Sustainable Mining Practices

The Associate of Science Degree in Sustainable Mining Practices is designed to provide students with the skills necessary for a lucrative mining career. Emphasis is placed on building job skills to minimize the negative impact of mining activities on the environment and surrounding communities. Coursework focuses on promoting ethical and responsible decision-making in mining operations by considering the long-term sustainability of resources and ecosystems. The associate degree highlights sustainable mining practices and its impact on the environment, society, and the economy. The courses provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, techniques, and technologies involved in sustainable mining.

The Certificate of Achievement in Sustainable Mining Practices is designed to provide students with the skills necessary for a lucrative mining career. Emphasis is placed on building job skills to minimize the negative impact of mining activities on the environment and surrounding communities. Coursework focuses on promoting ethical and responsible decision-making in mining operations by considering the long-term sustainability of resources and ecosystems. The certificate and degree expand knowledge in sustainable mining practices and its impact on the environment, society, and the economy. The courses provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, techniques, and technologies involved in sustainable mining, focusing specifically on chemistry, energy and the environmental impacts of mining in its current and evolving forms.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the scientific method.
• Communicate an understanding of the connections between science and other human activities.
• Examine the universe in a variety of courses.
• Utilize critical thinking skills in a variety of scientific applications.

Career Options

• A brief list of career options students can pursue with relevant KSA includes: Industrial Technology/Technician, Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician, Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Industrial Safety Technology, Geographic Information Science and Cartography, sustainability manager, earth scientist, environmental restoration field technician, geologist, geophysicist, oceanographer, geoengineer, sustainability officer, environmental consultant, environmental planner, GIS technician, data security for mining operations, sustainability, and geosciences instructor.

Enrollment Data for CoA

*The college experienced low enrollment and/or limited course offerings during the pandemic.

+New course.

Data includes enrollment for summer, fall, spring intersession, and spring semesters for each academic year. Source: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/sdccd.institutional.reseach/viz/SDCCDEnrollmentDashboardHistorical/EnrollmentFillRateSections

Enrollment Data for A.S.

*The college experienced low enrollment and/or limited course offerings during the pandemic.

+New course.

Data includes enrollment for summer, fall, spring intersession, and spring semesters for each academic year. Source: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/sdccd.institutional.reseach/viz/SDCCDEnrollmentDashboardHistorical/EnrollmentFillRateSections

The SDCC Geology program also provides a revolutionary survey of geological sustainable mining practices, blending the basic concepts of geology, sustainability, cultural literacy, globalization, geographic information systems (GIS), and cybersecurity. Sustainable mining practices is the study of the structure of the Earth, the products that are mined and recycled for everyday products, and the physical and cultural necessity of sustainable practices in our current economy.  It is a field that uncovers new methods and understandings of mining, recycling, re-mining dump sites, and new methods of obtaining minerals with fewer impacts on the environment or the social fabric. Explorations into closed-loop resource acquisition in mining practice create a sustainable source-use-recycle model for the future. This emphasis supports the development of students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the context of sustainable resource extraction and prepares students for careers in the mining industry that prioritize environmental responsibility and social accountability.

The SDCC Sustainable Mining program offers students with the option of stackable certificates and degrees for professionals seeking transfer to a university, professional development, and/or employment in the sustainable mining industry.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the scientific method.
• Communicate an understanding of the connections between science and other human activities.
• Examine the universe in a variety of courses.
• Utilize critical thinking skills in a variety of scientific applications.

Advisory Committee Recommendation

The creation of the Certificate of Achievement in Sustainable Mining Practices was reviewed and approved by the San Diego City College Geology Department Advisory Board Meeting on September 8, 2023.

Labor Market Information (LMI) & Analysis

According to the July 2023 Centers of Excellence Sustainable Mining Occupations Labor Market Analysis for San Diego County report, Sustainable Mining Occupations in San Diego County have a labor market demand of 1,036 annual job openings (while average demand for a single occupation in San Diego County is 289 annual job openings), and five institutions supply 64 awards for these occupations, suggesting that there is a supply gap in the labor market. On average, entry-level wages are above the living wage. This brief recommends proceeding with developing a new program or modifying an existing program because 1) entry-level wages pay at or above the living wage and 2) a supply gap exists for these occupations. [Evidence: Sustainable Mining Occupations Labor Market Analysis: San Diego, July 2023]

According to the State of California Employment Development Department, projections of employment for the 2018 – 2028 for geology related occupations are expected to increase by 960 jobs by 2028 in the San Diego-Carlsbad area. Annual average openings between 2018 and 2028 are estimated at 11,290 jobs in geology related occupations.

Create a new program award with emphasis in sustainable mining practices as a response to the growing $4.7 billion industry and 739 mines producing 23 different commodities, and 99,120 jobs in the state. There are no schools offering education in mining practices of any form. Proposed for TOP Code 0999.00 - Other Engineering and Related Industrial Technologies; CIP Code: 15.0699 Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other actively cross-walked at COCI.

Award Notes

Students are recommended to complete GEOL 100 and GEOL 101 at the start of the program.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS for COA

*Course offerings are subject to change. Refer to the college class schedule for the most updated course offerings for the semester. [https://www.sdccd.edu/students/class-search/search.html]

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS for A.S. Degree (major + specialization)