Mining has a lot of runway left in it. Whether you end up in coal, iron ore, or metals, there will be mining engineering (or closely related) roles still sought after well within your working life.
There will always be ups and downs in the industry but rarely do we see an oversupply of mining engineers.
The biggest thing about mining is the lifestyle - as in it’s for some people and not others.
If you’re a country born and raised person you would find it easier than most, but if you’ve been born and raised in a big city it might be harder.
You will either need to relocate to a mining town or thereabouts, and have to get used to living in a much smaller environment. If you go FIFO, can you live out of a donga for a week at a time without losing your marbles?
The work itself is interesting enough, but the degree is a lot different from what the actual work is. Most is learnt on the job.
Another thing is your personality - if you’re easily offended and a bit soft around the edges, have fun fitting in with the blokes you are going to eventually be telling how to do their jobs. You gotta have thick skin for this field.
Great summary. Moving is key, shit / roster is awesome, life at home goes on without you and you can keep in touch with family / friends via phone.
Also, rocks go BOOM!
+20 years in the game and I still get the nerves before a blast that I didn’t design, and the dopamine hit afterwards.
I don’t work at a remote site where there’s a mining camp for accommodation, but I think most sites have wifi that you can jump onto as a guest.
If you’re relying on Telstra/optus etc to get you good internet at a mine site you might be out of luck
You should consider it for sure. The money is excellent but the work can often be challenging, long hours and often weeks away from home on site (fly in fly out mines).
For a degree all I can suggest is make sure you get vacation work with mining companies. It gets your foot in the door if you don't know anyone and you'll be significantly more likely to find grad work
Coming to this sub asking that, you are unlikely to get a lot of people steering you away.
Mining is a broad church, there are a lot of different aspects. If you are looking at something office based in a corporate headquarters, you are looking major capital cities with everything that comes with it. If you are looking for site work, there is a world of difference between FIFO (fly in fly out) where you are onsite for weeks or months at a time, to residential where you live near the mine. Different challenges, different perks.
In very broad terms from my perspective? Fantastic industry. I couldn't see myself working in any other industry.
hehe i guess your right, i wasn't going to change my mind anyway 😂. Just wanted to fact check some information and understand if there's anything extra I should be worried about.
You should definitely consider it. Demand for mining engineers is high. Seeing a lot come through on visa at the moment to fill the shortage.
There are a few places offering cadetships or associate programs which might get you into the industry and your degree paid for.
Even though it's a bit of a cesspool, get on LinkedIn and follow the major mining companies. You might pick something up.
It's never too early to start looking around and making connections. The more proactive you are looking for this type of opportunity the better you'll look to a potential employer. Honestly half the battle is finding people who are keen to put effort in. 😅
Definitely get into it. The industry will have ups and downs along the way but if you stay fairly diverse and avoid locking yourself into a fixed career path idea, you should do well.
I have worked in mining for most of my working life. If I could go back to finishing year 12. Mining engineering would be on a very short list of degrees to study at university
Do a dual degree in mining/mechanical or mining/civil engineering. Mining civil is better for $$$ mining mech for more interesting work.
And yes. Mining engineers make BANK
30 years in mining and I can’t imagine a better career. If you have any common sense and math ability, go into mining engineering. Reach out to the mining companies in your first year and be sure you do an internship somewhere each summer. Work is guaranteed. Be sure you get experience with data management and some python script writing.
We need talented people ready to help with the transition to zero emissions as the OEMs start introducing battery powered machines. A whole new way of moving materials is coming that combines autonomy and power distribution. It’s a golden time to enter the field.
You will literally be saving the world by providing the raw materials of civilization while working with some of the most creative, energetic, and ingenious people in the world.
I love it.
Is there definitely a huge shortage for new comers though? Plenty of work if you have minimum 5+ years full time in the industry but very few graduate roles. Definitely helps if you do vacation programs or go to a prestigious uni
Mining has a lot of runway left in it. Whether you end up in coal, iron ore, or metals, there will be mining engineering (or closely related) roles still sought after well within your working life. There will always be ups and downs in the industry but rarely do we see an oversupply of mining engineers.
Oversupply? Hell, if you are happy to travel (so... anyone in mining lol) then there are a TONNE of opportunities. Fantastic time to be starting out.
The biggest thing about mining is the lifestyle - as in it’s for some people and not others. If you’re a country born and raised person you would find it easier than most, but if you’ve been born and raised in a big city it might be harder. You will either need to relocate to a mining town or thereabouts, and have to get used to living in a much smaller environment. If you go FIFO, can you live out of a donga for a week at a time without losing your marbles? The work itself is interesting enough, but the degree is a lot different from what the actual work is. Most is learnt on the job. Another thing is your personality - if you’re easily offended and a bit soft around the edges, have fun fitting in with the blokes you are going to eventually be telling how to do their jobs. You gotta have thick skin for this field.
Great summary. Moving is key, shit / roster is awesome, life at home goes on without you and you can keep in touch with family / friends via phone. Also, rocks go BOOM! +20 years in the game and I still get the nerves before a blast that I didn’t design, and the dopamine hit afterwards.
How is the internet in these mining places
I don’t work at a remote site where there’s a mining camp for accommodation, but I think most sites have wifi that you can jump onto as a guest. If you’re relying on Telstra/optus etc to get you good internet at a mine site you might be out of luck
Nah just study something useful like political science or art history.
You should consider it for sure. The money is excellent but the work can often be challenging, long hours and often weeks away from home on site (fly in fly out mines). For a degree all I can suggest is make sure you get vacation work with mining companies. It gets your foot in the door if you don't know anyone and you'll be significantly more likely to find grad work
Pays pretty well too
Coming to this sub asking that, you are unlikely to get a lot of people steering you away. Mining is a broad church, there are a lot of different aspects. If you are looking at something office based in a corporate headquarters, you are looking major capital cities with everything that comes with it. If you are looking for site work, there is a world of difference between FIFO (fly in fly out) where you are onsite for weeks or months at a time, to residential where you live near the mine. Different challenges, different perks. In very broad terms from my perspective? Fantastic industry. I couldn't see myself working in any other industry.
hehe i guess your right, i wasn't going to change my mind anyway 😂. Just wanted to fact check some information and understand if there's anything extra I should be worried about.
Nah, you will be fine.
You should definitely consider it. Demand for mining engineers is high. Seeing a lot come through on visa at the moment to fill the shortage. There are a few places offering cadetships or associate programs which might get you into the industry and your degree paid for. Even though it's a bit of a cesspool, get on LinkedIn and follow the major mining companies. You might pick something up.
damn, that seems alright, should I do that now or wait until I get my ATAR?
It's never too early to start looking around and making connections. The more proactive you are looking for this type of opportunity the better you'll look to a potential employer. Honestly half the battle is finding people who are keen to put effort in. 😅
Definitely get into it. The industry will have ups and downs along the way but if you stay fairly diverse and avoid locking yourself into a fixed career path idea, you should do well.
I have worked in mining for most of my working life. If I could go back to finishing year 12. Mining engineering would be on a very short list of degrees to study at university
Do a dual degree in mining/mechanical or mining/civil engineering. Mining civil is better for $$$ mining mech for more interesting work. And yes. Mining engineers make BANK
Yeah do it. You'll make more money than your contemporaries.
30 years in mining and I can’t imagine a better career. If you have any common sense and math ability, go into mining engineering. Reach out to the mining companies in your first year and be sure you do an internship somewhere each summer. Work is guaranteed. Be sure you get experience with data management and some python script writing. We need talented people ready to help with the transition to zero emissions as the OEMs start introducing battery powered machines. A whole new way of moving materials is coming that combines autonomy and power distribution. It’s a golden time to enter the field. You will literally be saving the world by providing the raw materials of civilization while working with some of the most creative, energetic, and ingenious people in the world. I love it.
If you want a bet each way, do mechanical or electrical engineering. Both highly sought after but easily transferrable to other industries
Absolutely. Huge shortage at the moment. You will have employers falling over themselves to give you offers.
And depending on which Uni you go to big balls funded by mining companies trying to hire you as early as first year.
which Unis does this happen at?
Not a student myself just talking to vacation students but i believe UQ
Is there definitely a huge shortage for new comers though? Plenty of work if you have minimum 5+ years full time in the industry but very few graduate roles. Definitely helps if you do vacation programs or go to a prestigious uni
If you have a degree and seem like a decent person I can get you a job tomorrow at multiple mines.