Study Guide for the Professional Licensure of Mining and Mineral Processing Engineers seventh edition Principles and Practice of Engineering (P.E.) Examination Published by Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. © 2008 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. Al!Sl rMigEh_tPs EresxearmveSdG. uEidlec_tTroPn_iFc1 e.idnidtido n 1 published 2009. 9/18/08 7:51:58 AM Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. (SME) 8307 Shafer Parkway Littleton, Colorado, USA 80127 (303) 973-9550 / (800) 763-3132 www.smenet.org SME advances the worldwide minerals community through information exchange and professional develop- ment. SME is the world’s largest association of mining and minerals professionals. Copyright © 2008 Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. Electronic edition published 2009. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America. 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Contents PREFACE v INTRODUCTION vii CHAPTER 1 DEVELOPING A PROFESSIONAL CAREER 1 Engineering Education 1 Work Experience 2 Engineering Ethics 2 Engineering Competence 2 CHAPTER 2 WHY LICENSURE? 5 History of Registration and Licensure 5 Advantages of Licensure 6 What Licensure Does Not Do 6 Perception of the Professional 6 CHAPTER 3 PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING LICENSURE 7 State Licensure Boards 7 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 8 SME Professional Engineers Exam Committee 8 Requirements for Professional Engineer Licensure 9 Non-U.S. Engineers Seeking Licensure 9 Licensure Without Examination: Eminence— Te Special Case 10 CHAPTER 4 SIX STEPS TO PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER LICENSURE 11 Education 11 Fundamentals of Engineering Examination 11 Experience 12 Application Forms 12 Accreditation 12 Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Examination 13 CHAPTER 5 THE LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER 15 Engineer’s Seal 15 Multiple Licensure 15 CHAPTER 6 LIST OF LICENSURE AND REGISTRATION BOARDS 17 CHAPTER 7 NCEES MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 33 Preamble 33 Rules of Professional Conduct 34 iii © 2008 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. iv Contents CHAPTER 8 NCEES PUBLICATIONS 37 FE Supplied-Reference Handbook 37 FE Typical Questions and Solutions 37 FE Sample Questions and Solutions 38 PE Sample Questions and Solutions—Civil 38 PE Sample Questions and Solutions—Other Disciplines 38 CHAPTER 9 THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING EXAMINATION 39 Morning Session 39 Afternoon Session 40 Future Examination Dates 43 CHAPTER 10 THE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING EXAMINATION 45 Allowed and Necessary Items for Taking the Examination 46 Reference Materials 46 Test Specifcation 46 CHAPTER 11 PREPARING, TAKING, AND GRADING THE EXAM 51 Preparing the Test 51 Taking the Test 52 Grading the Test 53 CHAPTER 12 SAMPLE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING EXAM FOR MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING 55 Morning Session (4 hours) 56 Afternoon Session (4 hours) 69 Answers to Morning Session 86 Answers to Afternoon Session 95 © 2008 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. Preface Te Study Guide for Professional Licensure of Mining and Mineral Processing Engi- neers is primarily intended as an aid for individuals applying and preparing for a state mining and mineral processing professional engineering (PE) examina- tion. Tis examination is ofered each fall by many, but not all, of the 50 states, four territories, and the District of Columbia. Te licensing board of each state or territory is responsible for administering the examination in that state or territory. Specifc questions about dates, procedures, and locations should be directed to that particular board. Chapter 6 is a list of the licensure and registra- tion boards. Te Mining and Mineral Processing PE examination includes 80 multiple- choice questions that meet the test specifcations outlined in Chapter 10 of this study guide. Te examination is 8 hours in length and is divided into two 4-hour sessions of 40 questions each. Chapter 12 presents a sample examina- tion containing questions similar to those given on previous exams. Te Professional Engineers Exam Committee of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. (SME), prepares the Mining and Mineral Processing PE examination under contract to the National Council of Examin- ers for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). NCEES was established to assist the state and U.S. territory licensing boards and supplied much of the material contained in this study guide. Te council’s permission to use this information is gratefully acknowledged. Te Study Guide Revision Committee also thanks Frank Filas, P.E., editor of the 6th edition, which formed the basis of much of this document, and all of the SME staf and Professional Engineers Exam Committee participants who contributed to this new edition. Study Guide Revision Committee Rahul Bhaduri, M.S., P.E. David E. Krebs, P.E. Georgene Renner William K. Smith, Ph.D., P.E. Landy A. Stinnett, M.S., P.E. R. Karl Zipf Jr., Ph.D., P.E. v © 2008 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. © 2008 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. Introduction Engineers involved in mining, mineral processing, exploration, and closely related felds have been licensed or registered in individual states for many years. However, a national examination on the principles and practices of mining and mineral process engineering did not become available until 1979 when the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. (SME), with the assis- tance of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), developed test specifcations and prepared the frst national exami- nation. NCEES supplies the examination to the state boards. By administering a national examination, it is expected that individuals who qualify in one state would also qualify for licensure or registration in any other state or territory. Te examination format has changed signifcantly over the intervening years. Originally, the examination was given in an essay format. Te candi- date could choose 8 problems to work from a selection of 20 problems. Tese problems were then hand-graded by experts in the feld. Tis format gradually evolved to include both essay and multiple-choice questions. At the urging of the state boards and NCEES, the test format was further changed in 2002 to the current machine-graded, 80-question, multiple-choice format. Although the test format has changed, its basic purpose—to objectively assess a candi- date’s engineering skills and knowledge in the mining and mineral processing feld—remains the same. Beginning in 2009, the name of the examination was changed to the Mining and Mineral Processing (M/MP) exam to eliminate confusion. In preparing the examination, SME assumes that PE licensure establishes only a minimum qualifcation—competence is ultimately judged by the regis- trant’s reputation and experience. It is unreasonable to expect an examination to be the ultimate criterion of the breadth and depth of skills and knowledge required in a professional’s area of practice. Accordingly, the examination is designed to demonstrate general knowledge of the mining and minerals indus- try and the ability to apply that general knowledge and engineering principles, with common sense, to problems of practice in the industry. vii © 2008 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. © 2008 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009. CHAPTER 1 Developing a Professional Career A combination of education, practical work experience, and good judgment is needed to develop as a professional in the feld of engineering. Good judgment includes conducting oneself in both an ethical and technically competent man- ner. As discussed below, each of these aspects of professional development plays an important role in one’s career as an engineer. ENGINEERING EDUCAT ION Most of the practicing engineers in the United States have an undergraduate degree from an engineering program that has been accredited by ABET, Inc. (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). Programs with ABET accreditation meet the required standards for curricula and faculty that give the student the opportunity to obtain a comprehensive education in an engineering discipline. Substantial equivalency to ABET accreditation has also been recognized for some engineering schools located in other countries. Some practicing engineers do not have an undergraduate degree from an ABET-accredited program. Te educational background of these individuals varies considerably. However, if you are a practicing engineer, you have most likely acquired the necessary educational background through a combination of engineering, science, and technical classes, and on-the-job engineering work experience. Most licensure boards recognize the equivalency of this type of edu- cational background but require more years of engineering work experience before allowing you to become licensed. With the rapid changes occurring today in most engineering and technical felds, it is increasingly important for you to continue your educational develop- ment after graduation. Tis may include periodically reviewing current technical literature, participating in technical societies and trade shows, and attending technical classes or short courses. Participating in civil and social activities is another form of continuing education that plays an important role in your 1 © 2008 by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2009.