The career of mining geologists is an exciting and rewarding one. You’ll be involved in the exploration, development, and mining of mineral deposits, as well as ensuring environmental protection and sustainable land use after mining.

There are many different career options available to mining geologists, each with its own set of unique skills and interests that may be best suited to you. Depending on your degree, you can also choose to specialize in specific areas within the industry.

Economic Geology

Most mining geologists specialize in economic geology, which studies the availability of fossil fuels, metals, and other minerals. This is especially important in today’s climate, where carbon emissions from non-renewable energy sources such as oil and coal are contributing to global warming.
Economics can also be applied to environmental geology, which focuses on the health of soil and water. This can help to inform the way we use resources and make better decisions about the impact we have on the planet.

Other careers that are associated with the mining industry include engineering, which involves designing underground mines to remove minerals safely and efficiently for use in utilities and manufacturing. These engineers plan ways for the materials to be transported to processing plants and draw up technical reports for other engineers, managers, and miners.

Petroleum Geology

The future of petroleum geologists is a bright one, although they are not necessarily associated with the mining industry, as oil and gas companies still need to find new oil and gas fields. Their responsibilities include researching the geological structures of an area to identify where it might contain new fossil fuels and then assessing the potential for extraction, transport, and storage.

They are also responsible for determining the amount of natural gas and oil available in an area, as well as determining the size of the deposit and its location.

If you’re interested in a career as a mining geologist, you can start by getting a degree in geology or geoscience and then gain work experience to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the industry. Then you can move on to postgraduate study in a related field and possibly undertake research.

Travel and Working Hours

Generally, working as a mining geologist involves working in remote locations. This can be challenging and may require frequent travel. In addition, working hours in this industry can be very long, and they operate on a shift basis.

A typical day in the life of a mining geologist includes conducting geophysical and geological surveys, producing reports, and completing other tasks necessary for the development of the project. These tasks can be carried out in a variety of environments, including an office, laboratory, or core shack on or near the mining site.

Some of the skills required to be a successful mining geologist include teamwork, problem-solving, and communication, as well as the ability to understand and respect established safety procedures and regulations, and legislation. These skills are best developed through training and personal development.