Mining engineering includes all the aspects of the extraction of mineral products and energy sources from the earth's crust. The mining engineer is concerned not only with excavation and working of deposits but also with economic analysis, optimization of operations, and environmental and human aspects of exploration.

Metallurgy is the science and art of extracting, refining, and adapting metals from minerals and metal-bearing materials, at a profit, for human use.

Materials are traditionally classified as metals, polymers, and ceramics. This field of engineering specializes on determining the relationship between the structure and the properties of these materials.