Engineering

Are you a great communicator and problem solver with a love for all things STEM? You might be pioneered for a career as a Mining Engineer.

Mining Engineers plan and direct the engineering aspects of locating and extracting minerals from the earth.

Activities

Mining Engineers perform preliminary surveys of mineral deposits to determine the resources present, the feasibility of extracting the reserves and the design and development of the extraction process.

They prepare operation project cost estimates, research and plan production schedules, determine the location for drilling, ensure the safety of processes, and conduct risk assessments.

Activities on the job include collecting and analysing data, providing guidance and expert advice, researching and investigating, and problem solving.

Work Environment

Mining Engineers work in offices and onsite. They talk with people face-to-face, over the phone, through emails and have the freedom to decide on project tasks, priorities and goals.

Knowledge

It is important for Mining Engineers to have a sound understanding in engineering and technology, technical design, mathematics, physics, and production.

Skills

Skills required include reading comprehension, mathematics, project management, interpersonal communication, decision making and complex problem solving.

Specialisations

• Geotechnical Engineers plan, direct and conduct survey work to analyse the likely behaviour of soil and rock when placed under pressure by proposed structures, and design above and below ground foundations.

Prerequisites

To obtain work as a Mining Engineer, you will need a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering majoring in mining or geotechnical engineering. Postgraduate studies are highly regarded but may not always be necessary.

• Bachelor of Engineering – Mining (Honours) – University of Adelaide
• Bachelor of Engineering – Mining (Transfer Program) – University of Newcastle

Do you have a knack for numbers a keen eye for measurements? You might be adding up for a career as a Surveyor in the gold industry.

Surveyors plan, direct and conduct survey work to determine, delineate, plan and precisely position tracts of land, natural and constructed features, coastlines, underground works, and manage related information systems.

Activities

Surveyors research and develop surveying, and land information systems.

They advise architects, engineers, environmental and other scientists on the technical requirements of surveying, mapping and spatial information systems, compile and evaluate data, interpret codes of practice and write reports concerning survey measurement, land use and tenure, and keep up to date with technology.

• Mine Surveyors are involved in the accurate measurement and recording of mine workings. They are critical to the design, planning and safety of surface and underground mining activities, which must be accurately represented on mine plans.

Work Environment

Surveyors work predominantly outdoors being exposed to weather elements. Their work includes being very exact or highly accurate with information, talking with people face-to-face, over the phone and through emails.

Knowledge

To work as a Surveyor, it is important to have a sound understanding of mathematics, geography, technical design, computers and electronics.

Skills

Skills required include reading comprehension, mathematics, critical thinking, management of personnel resources and coordination with others.

Specialisations

• Mine Surveyors – Determine relative positions of points on or beneath the surface of the earth.
• Engineering Surveyors – Identify any design or practicality issues for a project
• Geodetic Surveyors – Measure three-dimensional changes in crustal motion at the mm scale.
• Cadastral Surveyors – Specialise in the establishment and re-establishment of real property boundaries.
• Photogrammetric Surveyors – Make measurements using photographs or digital photo imagery to locate features.
• Quantity Surveyors – Estimate and monitor construction costs from the project feasibility stage, through tender preparation, to the construction period and beyond.

Prerequisites

To secure work as a Surveyor, you will need a Bachelor’s Degree in Surveying or Spatial Science or another related field.

• Certificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information Services
• Certificate IV in Surveying
• Diploma of Surveying
• Advanced Diploma of Surveying
• Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) – University of Newcastle
• Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) – Curtin University
• Bachelor of Engineering – Surveying (Honours) – University of New South Wales
• Bachelor of Spatial Science – Surveying (Honours) – University of Southern Queensland
• Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences – University of Tasmania
• Bachelor of Spatial Science Technology – Surveying – University of Southern Queensland
• Bachelor of Spatial Science Technology – University of Southern Queensland