It began as the Federated Institution of Mining Engineers in 1889, comprising the Chesterfield and Midland Counties Institution of Engineers; Midland Institute of Mining, Civil and Mechanical Engineers; North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers; South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire Institute of Mining Engineers and later the North Staffordshire Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, the Mining Institute of Scotland and the Manchester Geological and Mining Society.
It merged with the National Association of Colliery Managers, effective from 23 October 1968.
Soon after discussions about a merger with the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, founded in 1892, took place, which it merged with in 2002.
It was headquartered at Cleveland House on City Road in London.
It awarded the Medal of the Institution of Mining Engineers.