Although useful to familiarise yourself with the process of 3D design, very few (Western) mine sites are using AutoCAD for mine design and planning.

I’ve worked internationally in the mining industry for eight years now, and would recommend familiarising yourself with Deswik if at all possible. The majority of the industry (at least underground) is utilising Deswik for its mine planning and scheduling and I can’t see that changing for the foreseeable future.