GEOSCIENCE CAREERS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY

Despite the ongoing downturn in our nation’s consumption of coal, the mining industry in general offers opportunity for new geoscience graduates. Several factors are at work: replacement of aging infrastructure and new construction boost demand for minerals; domestically the demand for coal has lessened, but the international market continues to seek U.S. coking coal; many active geologists are nearing retirement and will need to be replaced; many of the best mineral reserves have been depleted, and challenging geology will require more evaluation than ever; and, ever increasing data loads require the new technology skills today's geoscience graduates are learning.

Although few universities offer formal mining-oriented geoscience classes, geoscience students who are adept at stratigraphy/sedimentology, geochemistry, field methods, and structural geology, as well as hydrology and environmental geology, will be well prepared to enter the mining industry. Like many geoscience careers, the real training begins on the job, and finding an intern position can jump start a long-term career.