Dr. Richard Gertsch

Mining Jobs - An Introduction

Modern mining is a high tech industry employing skilled workers in many fields of expertise. Mining is currently experiencing a shortfall of needed skilled people, and there are many opportunities for acquiring skills. Working in mining can involve you in:

Environmental Monitoring and Analysis. Mining must work in the environment. Highly trained technicians and scientists are required for this effort.

Regulation, Public Policy and Community Outreach. Being a good neighbor and understanding the regulatory environment is essential for a mining operation, and requires skilled people to make it happen.

Heavy Equipment Operation. Modern mining equipment has many high tech features, computer control and health monitoring, sophisticated mechanics, and computer driven maintenance. This includes the mine and the processing plant, both need skilled people.

Processing Plant Operations. The plant that turns the mined rock into useful products employs many skilled people: operators, technicians, and repair people.

Maintenance Technicians. There is a wide variety of mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment needing repair and maintenance.

Information Technology. Environmentally safe and cost effective mining depend on information flow: both data generation and effective use of that data. This effort involves many skills in computers, electronics, and accounting.

Construction. Things are always being built at mines.

Management and Administration. A well-run mine is well managed. Supervisors, human resources administrators, accountants, administrative assistants, and clerks are needed.

Engineers and Technologists. A mine is no better than the engineers that design, construct, and operate it. This involves many high tech skills and qualified people.

Safety. Safety is the number one job in mining. It requires highly skilled safety professionals and technicians.

This short introduction is to give those interested a flavor for working the modern mining industry. Many of the skills needed in mining are in demand in other industries.