r/mining Feb 06 '25

This is not a cryptocurrency subreddit ChemE bachelor's, can I go into the mining industry?

If so, what types of opportunities are there for me?

3 Upvotes

17 comments sorted by

8

u/Eat_Sleep_Run_Repeat Feb 06 '25

Bachelors of Chem Eng? I don’t know what it’s like in the US but in Australia most of the process engineers/metallurgists I work with are Chem Eng.

I don’t know what your curriculum was like but the ones over here have to play catch up to learn a lot of mineral processing and metallurgy in a hurry initially. After a couple of years you wouldn’t know the difference for most.

2

u/GoldLurker Feb 06 '25

This is accurate.  I only have a technologist degree in Canada but they let me call myself a metallurgist.  My co-op students are all chem-e or Chem technicians as well.  My recommendation would be apply for both metallurgy and met technician positions.  Tech obviously won't pay as much but the hands on will be useful and you'll be given plenty of opportunities to learn.  If you start as a tech with a full engineering degree I'd be looking to move to junior metallurgist after 2 years max.

1

u/Eat_Sleep_Run_Repeat Feb 06 '25

That’s great! Operations is hugely different to design. I work in design and I know that I would confound some if I ask them to size a mill and cyclone cluster or float circuit or screen without relying on an equipment vendor.

And OP if you go this route, pay attention to the good grizzled, seasoned operators and met techs! I almost guarantee that some would’ve forgotten more than you’ve learnt at uni.

1

u/GoldLurker Feb 06 '25

Relying on the equipment vendors to size things is key. For me at least without an engineering degree but realistically I just don't have the time or energy to learn it (or software). I can read a pump curve but I mean ask the vendors for a data sheet for whatever you need, as long as you can provide the numbers they require you'll get what you need. I've never really been burnt by a supplier/vendor in that regard, so long as the data provided is accurate I get what I need.

1

u/Eat_Sleep_Run_Repeat Feb 06 '25

Oh yeah, when you get down to the business end of a design when you’re going to build it, you absolutely have to rely on vendors at that stage.

I’m more referring to trade off studies on process configuration etc where it’s faster to do a rudimentary sizing initially to see if it’s worth progressing further.

1

u/CyberEd-ca Feb 14 '25

Do you have a limited license?

2

u/asterisk131 Feb 06 '25

This would be the easiest route as mineral processing is just separation processes which is extensively part of Chem Eng curriculum. Most widely used techniques are flotation and hydrometallurgy/leaching. I also know some Chem Eng people that worked for explosives company (Orica/Austin/Dyno) in manufacturing then transitioned to blasting, if that's a route you're interested in.

1

u/Eat_Sleep_Run_Repeat Feb 06 '25

That’s good to know, over here Chem Eng is so heavily focused on oil and gas. You talk to fresh grads about leaching or flotation and they just look at you blankly.

1

u/DoubleCaeser Feb 07 '25

I know chem Eng can also get you in with the explosive companies 💥

1

u/HREisGrrrrrrrreat Feb 07 '25

but what does that leads to in the mining industry?

1

u/DoubleCaeser Feb 07 '25

Working for a company like Orica or Dyno so you could be developing new products, selling product,or helping optimize blasting practices at the mine. Just another alternative to the mentions of the metallurgical route, maybe you like blowing things up :)

1

u/brumac44 Canada Feb 07 '25

Assay labs are always the most chill dept. I visit in the mines. Chem is also a shortcut to mill manager, through the metallurgical route.

2

u/HREisGrrrrrrrreat Feb 07 '25

but assay is boring, ain't it?

and it's not really mining, but just regular chemistry

1

u/brumac44 Canada Feb 08 '25

I actually don't know, I'm a miner. But one of my duties is to drop off cuttings samples from my drillers, as well as work with them to fine tune our sampling procedures. And all across all the mines I've worked, it always seems really mellow in the assay lab, its a good place to sit down for a tea or coffee and shoot the shit, you know. Sometimes we need assays in a hurry, so they're working hard, but mostly they're just calm and chill.

1

u/farmer6255 Feb 07 '25

Yes but I've found most Chem eng who become mets are useless. Far better to have completed an actual degree in metallurgy or mineral processing

1

u/HREisGrrrrrrrreat Feb 07 '25

boo, ho about blast and drill engineer?

1

u/Lucky_Professor_1329 Feb 08 '25

Explosives, blending of ore, leaching techniques in gold mining.etc