Andrea Brickey

Andrea Brickey is a Professor in the Department of Mining Engineering and Management at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, specializing in cross-disciplinary applications to optimize mining operations. She holds a Ph.D. in Mining and Earth Systems Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and a B.S. in Mining Engineering from SDSM&T, with over 15 years of industry experience across Africa and the Americas.

Her educational background includes:

• B.S. in Mining Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
• Ph.D. in Mining and Earth Systems Engineering, Colorado School of Mines
• Post-graduate diploma in Management Practices, University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business

Professor Brickey's research integrates advanced operations research techniques to develop holistic underground mine schedules, incorporating critical factors like ventilation systems. She actively pursues collaborations with applied mathematics, computer science, and applied physics to innovate beyond traditional mining engineering practices, while developing tools to accelerate early-career professional development for mining engineers.

Her teaching philosophy emphasizes synthesizing engineering knowledge to solve complex real-world problems, drawing directly from her extensive industry experience. She prioritizes cultivating soft skills—including communication, teamwork, adaptability, and conflict resolution—as essential foundations for future engineering and management leadership in the mining sector.