r/mining

I'm currently a junior in highschool and was considering Mining Engineering as a career. I was looking at U of Alberta/McGill/UBC/Queen's for their Mining engineer programs. Grades are not a concern. I would graduate 2031 from now and am planning to also have a minor in business.

I have a few concerns I was worrying about:

1. Is this a stable career in 5 years time and will there be jobs available considering AI.|
2. How much money would I make coming out of school and later on and if business will benefit.
3. I've hear that doing FIFO work will pay more and I'm not really a desk work guy. You can say I like being in the outdoors and outdoor sports like skiing and mtb.
4. How stressful will it be day to day and what's the work environment like? I can handle stress but over time I can see it affecting me.
5. What kind of lifestyle does this career provide me? I probably value work-life balance and salary the most.

Thanks for any help!

I was also looking into Health Sci and medicine but thought the education would take too long considering I'm not really passionate about it. I've always looked for a career that can allow me to travel the world in my 20s.

Hey Guys,

I've been looking to develop something that is needed in the mining industry with severe demand. I'm still a student so it's kind of hard to gauge what's needed and what's not as I don't really have experience so I just thought I'd come here and see. If there is something you've been thinking would be very useful but haven't got to actually thinking about it I think it would be fun to put your ideas into use.

Kind Regards

This is more of a vent but I’m at wits end and finally snapped today.

My background is geology but worked in geotech as an engineering geologist. I wanted to get into the mines but struggled to land a geology role so I started off as a pit technician and 2 months ago got promoted to graduate open cut geologist.

My swing needed a new open cut geologist, and this new hire is 45 years old and has only ever worked in core yards. At first I thought he just needed some help, but it’s 6 months in and to know he’s my point of contact in an org chart is frustrating.

He doesn’t know anything other than blasthole sampling.

I’ve spent the last 6 months, and more so the last 4-6 weeks really trying to emphasise the importance in using the “How To’s” I made for using:
- Deswik
- Vulcan
- Serpak
- And Leapfrog.
- Weekly and EOM reconciliation.

I’ve made several other guides for applications we use for truck counts, load scanning and lab submission
He continues to ask me to help him, and by help he means I click and he watches.

This week after handling 1500 samples by myself and submitting multiple submissions, generating dig blocks, updating grade control models and representing geology in our daily meetings because he “forgot” or “didn’t think we needed to go” I eventually snapped.

Today on drive out day I focused on my work. Come the time we’re supposed to leave he asked me to help with a lab submission because he “doesn’t know how to do it”. I snapped. I forwarded every email I’ve ever sent with the “How To” links and videos to show how I’ve tried to help him but he continues to forget. I referenced how he left meetings to go vape and has zero interest in doing dig blocks or learning applications.

All he cares about is vaping, smoking and drinking after work.

I’ve been told to “be patient, he’s on his way out and you’ll move up”. It’s been 2 months now and I am over his uselessness.

How the hell do some people get mining gigs, yet I know of so many competent people who get declined.

Hi everyone,

I have recently been thinking of trying to get into FIFO and I am just looking for advice if its possible given my circumstances. Please be frank if I really have a chance or not.

I am a Mechanical Engineering Graduate here in the Philippines, I got my engineering license in 2024 and I am working as a Maintenance Engineer in a local Mining Company which specializes in Gold & Silver production ever since. I have handled & maintained most of the milling equipment, I have also worked as a Mechanical Engineer in the same Mine Site specializing in Dewatering Equipment.

I was encouraged by my former senior to apply overseas especially in Australia. (He is an engineer also in Australia working the same field but he can't help me get into a job because of reasons I don't know) Do you guys think that I have a chance of getting a role as an engineer in FIFO with my experience level? If not, what would be a general advice you can tell me so that I can work my way into actually landing a FIFO Engineering Job?

Thank you.

Started working in the rock drilling industry. Gloves they provide are shit. What gloves are you using that work for you?? Core drilling greasy tubes..

Hi I am going for a medical and drug test for a job in the mines and was wondering if they test for adhd drugs? I am on Ritalin, do they see that as a problem or they don’t care?

Please use this thread to ask, answer, and search for questions about getting a job in mining. This includes questions about FIFO, where to work, what kinds of jobs might be available, or other experience questions.

This thread is to help organize the sub a bit more with relation to questions about jobs in the mining industry. We will edit this as we go to improve. Thank you.

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some guidance on breaking into the mining industry.

I have a Master's degree in Mining Engineering with research focused on cemented paste backfill, and I've spent the last several years working in QA/QC on major civil and tunneling infrastructure projects in Canada. I'm a licensed P.Eng. in Ontario and have experience with quality management, inspections, concrete, steel, and construction compliance.

My long-term goal is to build a career in mining, particularly in project quality, construction, underground operations, or technical engineering roles. For those already in the industry, what would you recommend as the best way to get my foot in the door? Are there specific companies, certifications, FIFO opportunities, or career paths that would give someone with my background the best chance?

I'd really appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Thanks in advance!

So my background is fully geoscience ( Geology, geophysics, gis,remote sensing) and somehow got accepted to be an intern with a mining company. It's been 2 weeks and I feel dumb I don't know anything related to mining or even the terminology being used. And don't even tell me to ask the employees for help yesterday I asked something and he started laughing out loud 🥲 so basically I feel like quitting this internship.

Hi guys an underground shift sparky here from WA

I’ve always been intrigued in making the move over to mining in Canada

Is such a route feasible for an Australian A licence holder? Is there decent employee sponsorships and good wages?

Any advice appreciated

I'm going to be doing my first rotation next week and I need to purchase my boots this weekend. Is there anyone here that works or worked at the Red Chris mine that can give me some insight as to which boots I should get?

Hey guys, just curious what the wifi speeds are like on exploration RC sites in Australia? Is it fast enough to send files and things of that nature?

Hey guys i currently work as a dozer operator at a mine in Canada. My educational background includes a bachelor's in mechanical engineering and a unrelated masters. I graduated few years ago in a down market and was not able to find a job in my degree area, so took a job as a haul truck operator.

Fast forward a few years-I now have upgraded to operating a dozer and while the pay is not too shabby, I would really love to have more responsibility and career progression by going the management/supervision path.

So I was wondering how should I set myself in a position to get offered a entry level supervisory role and higher(shift supervisor, eventually superintendent or general manger). I would be open to getting certificates, but since I already have a master's degree, so would not be open to doing a another degree such as one in mining, etc. Also I don't mind relocating.

Is there anything I should do to set myself on this path? Any advice/insight/perspective is appreciated! Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm 21 years old from North Macedonia and I'm trying to figure out the best path to build a better career.

I've been working as a mechanic since I was 15 in my family's workshop, so although I'm young, I have over 6 years of hands-on experience.

Some of the work I've done includes:

• Engine replacements
• Clutch replacements
• Timing belts
• Turbocharger replacements
• Diagnostics (LAUNCH)
• Suspension and brake repairs
• Gearbox removal/installations
• Working with diesel and petrol vehicles
• Using pneumatic tools and an 80-ton hydraulic press

I speak fluent English, have a Bulgarian (EU) passport, and I'm willing to relocate anywhere. I'm also happy to work long shifts, rotational schedules, and physically demanding jobs.

The reason I'm posting is because I feel like I've reached the point where I need a bigger challenge and better opportunities than I currently have.

I'm particularly interested in FIFO, offshore, mining, oil & gas, renewable energy, or industrial maintenance roles.

If you were in my position:

• Which country would you target?
• Which companies or agencies would you apply to?
• What certificates would you get first?
• Is it realistic to get into FIFO/offshore without previous offshore experience but with strong mechanical experience?

I'd really appreciate honest advice from people already working in these industries.

Thanks everyone.

Can I work on a main beam TBM tunnelling project on TBM maintenance without RCS exposure and hearing loss? Is PPE (mask, double hearing protection, safety glasses) is enough to avoid longterm health impact?