r/mining

Hi, I’m starting my first year of mining engineering in Canada soon. Does anyone know the total compensation of a first year engineer right after graduation in Canada?

I knew about the long shifts, early starts and being away from home, but there are plenty of things you only seem to learn once you’re actually on site.

Could be something small that took you by surprise, something about camp life, dealing with different crews, the physical side of the job, or just something you wish someone had told you on your first swing.

Hey everyone,

I’ve got an IT background and I’m looking to move into the mining industry. I’ve also been thinking about doing a graduate program focused on automation.

For someone starting out, which job field or role would you recommend as the best entry point, and one that still has good room to grow long-term?
Any advice on automation-related grad programs, or specific areas that tend to value an IT background would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I’d like to know what’s the typical hiring processes for a mine eit role? I’ve done an interview and submitted my references. What’s the next step? Thanks in advance!

Hi all. Wanted to see if anyone on this subreddit had any experience working at the Skeena Eskay Creek site, and could give me an overview of the camp accommodations? Any info would be great. Thanks!

Update Looks like I’ll be staying at the 58km camp. Anyone stayed at that one before? Thanks!

Thank God for Reddit! I am an aspiring Mining Engineering student at the University of Nevada, Reno, who is eager to gain an advantage within the industry by getting a jump early.

I am interested in taking a GIS certification course, as well as mastering how to use Deswik and the other software used in mining. Could anyone in the mining industry suggest what software or skills they think it’s worthwhile to learn in one’s free time?

Any guidance regarding certifications, online courses, and/or other skills which can help me in obtaining internships and standing out after graduation will be highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Additionally, I’d like to ask if you would consider mentoring me.

Hi!

I am living outside of the states and going to relocate soon. I am wondering if there are jobs in Alaska that are open to no-experienced and provide housing. I spent my childhood abroad so I am not familiar with how the job process goes on.

1. Are there jobs that accept people who doesn't have experience while providing housing?

2. Am I able to apply outside of America or do I have to be on-site while applying?

I am trying to save enough so I can start again.

Thanks in advance.

Are there any jobs in mining that would be possible with a degree in physics? I know often physicists will slot into engineering roles that mech/electrical engineers do but it seems like most mine engineers are civil instead.

I also have read theres mine data analytics but can't find much info about such positions (and I would prefer at least some field work or time where I can interact with the folks who keep our mines running on the ground)

For those working in mining, what do you use to communicate with your coworkers?

Do you use two-way radios, headsets, or something else? If you can, please share the brand or model you use.

I'm looking into communication equipment for my company and would love to hear what people in the industry are actually using and what works well in real-world mining environments.

Thanks!

Game is still in development, so it's messy and features aren't fully developped yet, but it's a pretty neat preview of my progression so far!

Currently a driller offsider earning 520 a day. Been doing it about a year and im guessing I could probably work my way up to drilling with this company in another 3ish years. Curious to hear other people’s opinions, should I stay in surface diamond drilling or pivot into another job/industry for example nipper, go to uni and be a geo, etc. I hear a lot of people say in my company we are super underpaid and that diamond drilling is a bad industry and to only use it as a stepping stone so im wondering why and if so where/how to jump to it.

I’m wondering if I should do mining engineering but I can’t seem to get good information on what mining engineers actually do from anyone who works in the field in person.

Hey, yinz. Weird question. I’m a sci-fi writer working on a novel that heavily involves rare minerals mining on an alien planet. The mine is state-of-the art but poorly run, and I’m trying to do my research to make sure I’m not misrepresenting the mining industry as a whole. What are some bad things that could happen in a poorly-run mine, potentially resulting in loss of life? Give me your real worst-case scenarios, nightmare bosses included. The mine in question has both a surface mining and underground operation, so I’m interested in both.

Thanks for all your help!

Hi, I’m worried because my son started working at the mine on Monday, August 8th as an operator. He passed all his exams, but I’m worried because he doesn’t speak much English. He grew up in Nogales, Sonora, and I’m scared they might discriminate against him. Are there Hispanic people working at the mine???

This Cat 6060 is one of the largest machines currently operating in the state. It arrived at the mine in 24 truckloads and took 6 Western States Technicians to assemble. Our team documented the entire process!

What to Expect as a Driller’s Assistant on a Large Rotary Drill
Starting at Bort LongYear soon on a large rotary drill as a driller’s assistant. What can I expect? What is the work like on the rotary side?

Hello! I recently got hired at a mine site to do the underground survey control. I completed the main tunnel traverse (~7,00ft, roughly 12 stations), and my survey is not matching up with the previous surveys. Allegedly, every survey since the 1950's or so has been off. I think the mine has been surveyed 25 or so times since then, and none of them line up.

My thoughts are with the 25 or so surveys, a few of them should be quite similar. However, nothing seems to be consistent. At the end of the traverse, my survey was about 20ft off of a survey from 2014. That is well outside the comfortable margin of error.

I am presuming this is a systematic issue at this mine as many types of survey equipment have been used over the years, but I thought I would ask here for more information. Both licensed and "learning on the job" surveyors have been employed here.

Here is the general working condition in the mine:

1. Underground, narrow-vein mine. Tunnel is roughly 6' wide and 6.5' to 15' tall.
2. A 3-Phase 4180v line runs by the total station at all times, usually within 2-3ft. Load on lines are inconsistent throughout a shot.
3. Temperature can vary within one shot by 5-10deg F, sometimes going low, high, low, high multiple times in one shot.
4. The rocks around the total station can be magnetic vary from base station to base station.
5. Wind is highly turbulent and ranges from 5mph to 15mph, depending on the location. Wind speeds can change abruptly multiple times in one shot.
6. High altitudes ranging from 10,000ft to 11,000ft.
7. Magnetic compasses are known to be inaccurate in the mine.
8. Survey control is always over 40lb train rail, with the electric locomotive nearby.
9. Rapid, unpredictable pressure changes due to mine doors opening and closing. Occasionally, this will produce a cloud/fog within the mine.
10. Humidity changes. Some areas of the mine are dry, others have waterfalls coming out of the rocks.
11. Environment lighting is variable, ranging from pitch black to well-lit.

The current theory we have is the total station is being messed with by the high voltage cable or magnetic rock. I know total stations don't use compasses, but maybe something else is going on with the circuitry?

I am using a Leica MS60 with a CS20 controller. The MS60 was calibrated/cleaned/updated two months ago. The autotargeting feature is being used as it is both faster and has tighter shots on the flop.

I had some local contractors come out and put some points on surface with their GPS. I have had issues with matching results (usually +/- 0.1 ft) over distances <400ft. However, I strongly suspect that is due to intense sunlight/heat waves and high altitude.

Has anyone heard of consistently inconsistent survey results underground? Any ideas on what to test next?

The company is strongly considering going to theodolites and ridding of as many electronics as we can.

Thanks! I'd be happy to answer any questions.