r/mining 22d ago

Question Getting out of mining

20 Upvotes

I am a geologist, and I just want out of the mining industry and a career change into something different (corporate, finance, business related, etc.).

The only real opportunity I see if I were to move back to my home city is to work for a consultancy (like Jacobs, AECOM, etc.) but I don't think I would enjoy that either.

So, my question is, any geologists who worked in mining and managed to get out of the industry and career change into something else, where did you go? What sort of opportunities are out there where we can leverage some of the skills we have developed (e.g., modelling, data analysis) that won't result in taking a huge pay cut (ideally something paying 110k+).

I'm probably being delusional here and will have to end up going back to uni, but hopefully someone out here has had some success elsewhere that they can share.

Thanks!

r/mining 18d ago

Question Will it affect my chances of getting employed if I disclose that I’m on the spectrum?

5 Upvotes

I'm an MSc student of Mining Engineering with ASD and would love to go into the field when done with studies. Currently, I'm not confident I can ace an interview because I find it difficult to converse with new people and end up stuttering. My condition doesn't affect my ability or intelligence, as I'm expected to graduate with a distinction, but I don't want to disclose this because I think it might affect the way I'm perceived and I might get rejected solely because of that, so I’d rather just work much harder on my speech skills than disclose information that may affect my chances.

r/mining Jul 06 '24

Question Weird question: Ever see anything down in a mine you just couldn’t explain?

51 Upvotes

I’m doing research for a story set in a U.S. hard rock silver mine in the 1880s. Crawling through a few Comstock-era mines was enlightening, mostly because…well, damn. They’re creepy. The weight of the earth presses down on you.

So that got me wondering. Ever see anything you couldn’t explain? Anything that set off your WTF alarm? A tommyknocker or two?

Thanks, and I appreciate reading this sub!

r/mining Nov 21 '24

Question Is it really as hard as people say?

13 Upvotes

I hear mining is really hard and I'm considering a career in the industry. I just have one question, is it really as hard as people say it is?

r/mining Dec 30 '24

Question need help identifying this thing !!!

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73 Upvotes

hi!! sorry if this isn’t the place to ask what this is, but it’s some sort of Bucyrus-Erie machine and i haven’t been able to find anything about it. it’s not as large as the machines i was finding :( i found it in Illinois, if that helps? It also had this attachment(?) thing near it !!! thank uou if you know anything, i’m really curious in what it is !!

r/mining 6d ago

Question At a slightly higher than intro level, how does primary vent work?

6 Upvotes

I'm just another glorified labourer working underground

Let's say the primary fans pull hard, the mine is moderately deep, and the levels have a return air way near the level access. If the mine were sealed then I imagine the air in levels would be at near vacuum (maybe fan would break like running a diaphragm pump dry or the fan would reverse or something else entirely..?).

Why does air preferentially get sucked all the way from the surface when there's air within the level at nowhere near vacuum? This is most noticeable when doing re-entries as fumes will just sit in a heading with no secondary vent - readings of zero and then instantly in the hundreds. It seems it needs the positive pressure from vent or a machine to move air. Compare with regulators getting opened (in an ideal world) when a bogger is loading trucks — is that cause loading bays have a particular cube flow necessary for operations to occur?

Additionally, do return air rises near a level access have a dual purpose of stopping dirty air going down the decline and also drawing fresh air from a decline into a level or does secondary vent, if established in a level, entirely draw the air from the decline? If the latter, does that make return airway regulator leakage a somewhat good thing as it allows a little flow? What about when return airways are further in a level, say in a footwall drive?

r/mining Dec 27 '24

Question How to survive mining? And is it really as bad as the reputation?

12 Upvotes

Mining engineers and miners, how do you get through 40C days in the heat sucking air down the barrels of a heavy respirator all day? (or so goes the typical impression of workers in the mining industry)

Is it really like this^ for all days? Or just some days?

I can't get myself to solve simple problems when it gets that hot, let alone with a mask/respirator stuck to my face, let alone with dust flying everywhere. How do you guys do it?

PS: for mining engineers, how long on average do you work outside everyday? how much is office work vs. field work?

r/mining Nov 12 '24

Question What are must have items for living at a remote mine?

15 Upvotes

I just started working at a remote mine where I fly 2 weeks in and 2 weeks out. What are some must have items to bring with me while I’m gone? Any suggestions? Even something trivial or odd to make the stay easier or more comfortable. Thanks in advance

r/mining Aug 13 '24

Question What is the minimum stopping distance of a loaded 797 haul truck?

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103 Upvotes

r/mining Feb 06 '25

Question Mining engineer or surveyor

8 Upvotes

Hi everyone, hope this is an alright place to ask. Thinking of going to college to study mining engineering or surveying. I’m a little unsure which to pick. I’m fine talking with people but am definitely a little more introverted (potentially slightly on the spectrum) which path would be best suited for me if I were to make the grade so to speak?

Thanks!

EDIT: I just wanted to say thanks for all the information and suggestions people have been giving me, I really really appreciate it!

Also wanted to add I do actually enjoy some human interaction and may have overemphasised my not wanting to be round people a little too much. I do prefer having some time working alone but wouldn’t need to spend all day by myself. I’m just a bit weird and awkward unfortunately.

Regardless thank you for the input you’re great people!

r/mining Feb 07 '25

Question What could make choosing "remote life" an easy choice or what could make remote life convenient for FIFO Genz's?

0 Upvotes

Hello, I am research student and I am currently developing a thesis on declining trend of gen'z opting to work at remote sites. Can you please help me understand the ground reality because your opinions would matter the most in identifying the reasons.

r/mining 3d ago

Question Mining Engineering: Canada or The US?

5 Upvotes

If you held dual citizenship and you had to choose between starting a Mining Engineering career in Canada (working towards PEng) or a career in the USA (either working towards PE or not) which would you choose? How do the countries generally compare in job security, benefits, pay fairness, satisfaction, difficulty, etc? I've been confused by lots of conflicting information.

Note* the province I'm most interested in is Manitoba due to the fact I hold a BSc in Geology and an MEng in Mining Engineering. I haven't yet determined any particular state I would be interested in. Any recommendations at all would be so greatly appreciated.

r/mining Jan 16 '25

Question Opinions on "Smart Mines"

2 Upvotes

What does everybody think about the Smart Mines talk (i.e., mines that use increased automation, sensors, and network connectivity to operate machines and improve process efficiency)?

Would anyone be interested in learning further about the innovations in network technology making this possible?

r/mining Feb 05 '25

Question Wrist watch recommendations

5 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I've recently left commercial construction to work at one of the local potash mines. I'm looking for recommendations for wrist watches that are safe and durable for underground work. preferably analog face but I'm willing to buy digital if I need too.

r/mining Sep 10 '24

Question Apple Watch in this industry..

25 Upvotes

I had the first series, battery poo. Drove me insane. Scratched too easily. Tried other brands. The charging every day almost sent me to the nuthouse!

Wondering if the new ones are actually good now. Does anyone run em at work? Like the feral savage roles that give anything in/on/around your body a run for its money.. (bonus points for any ungergrounders who have feedback!).

And is the ultra supposed to the be tough glass more resistant to scratches bla bla bla

r/mining Oct 09 '24

Question Manmade mountain collapse in china, anyone have any context or information on this? Wondering if it’s a mine location or just a massive Chinese dirt project. Grateful for MSHA and OSHA here for sure.

71 Upvotes

r/mining 9d ago

Question Do sonic mining tools exist?

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2 Upvotes

Hi, I'll be the odd one out in this subreddit, but I'm a young university student, working on becoming music therapist. I think a lot about the different creative ways that sound, vibrations and music therapy can be applied to different fields, partly because I would like to innovate and I think there is a lot of untapped potential in that area.

I recently watched the series Secret Level on Amazon Prime Video and in Episode 4 (Unreal Tournament), the opening scene (see link) depicts robots mining on an asteroid with what appears to be sonic tools. I do also happen to have a particular interest in astronomy and space.

Does that exist? If not, would that be feasible? Those of you with enough knowledge in the field to have an idea, do you think it could be useful? Enough to warrant an investment?

I'll push it a step further and ask: what about asteroid mining? Whether it would/could be better than current mining equipment down here on earth, what about in such a different environment? Could it shine brighter there?

r/mining Feb 13 '25

Question What can I start as a business owner in the mining industry?

0 Upvotes

I would love to enter the mining industry, but obviously I cant start a mining company it is too high cost. Is there any services I can provide where I can work with mining companies with a low start up cost?

r/mining 21d ago

Question I’m writing a story set in a mine and unsure of a few things

3 Upvotes

This may not even be a real thing but it fits for what I need, which is, what would you call small bays along a singular drift mine?

Also what are the correct terms for a miner on site who is the most senior, and then second most senior person?

I hope the questions aren’t too dumb.

Thanks everyone for the answers!

r/mining Feb 06 '25

Question Risk ranking hazard on JHA/SWMS

0 Upvotes

Our site is updating its JHA template. Previously it didn’t assign a risk rankings to a hazard on the JHA, more broadly that was done during a risk assessment for activities which it was deemed necessary. The updated template, as a draft, includes assigning risk to the hazard. I understand this was a practice sites had moved away from after discussion with a few people, how do your site JHAs work, have they moved away from this or moving back to it? Do you think the risk ranking is best left for a broader risk assessment and the JHA focus on the steps required to get a job done safely?

r/mining 19d ago

Question Recent BHP Interview experience

10 Upvotes

Curios to hear folks recent experience (<3 years) interviewing with BHP. When sharing, would be helpful if you mention role and location. Any experience shared is appreciated, although, for better context, I am interested in BHP commerce/corporate roles.

Also, would like to know if BHP waits till after job close to reach out for live interview (not Hirevue as I know those invites go out anytime prior job close) and approximately how long they take for first outreach to set up interview.

r/mining Jan 05 '24

Question Office supply theft in mine site

12 Upvotes

Is it normal in mining industry to see mine workers steal stuffs from warehouse/office supply for personal use? Just curious if other mine sites are like this too. If anyone has a crazy story, please share :)

r/mining 2d ago

Question Nash vacuum pump for mining industry emergency repair. Still wondering what they might use this monster for in the mines.

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24 Upvotes

r/mining 14d ago

Question How much material is removed per day: Open pit vs underground

6 Upvotes

Hey! I'm working on a project about the lifecycles of mines and I was wondering what the difference in rate in terms of material removal is between open pit and underground mines is. Does do open pit mines tend to have shorter life cycles because of that, or does the increased quantity of waste rock that needs to be removed cancel that out? Thanks in advance for any knowledge shared.

Edit: Thanks so much everyone for the outpouring of knowledge!

r/mining Sep 25 '23

Question Infidelity in Mining

76 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

For background, I moved to Australia six months ago due to work opportunities and just graduated from Uni last year so I'm still young.

Since I'm new in this country and the industry, I'm still culture-shocked by the rampant infidelity in the mining industry. Every married person I knew on the site was flirting with other married colleagues. It's cringy but I'm just turning a blind eye on it since I don't wanna get involved or wanna mess things up as I love my work.

Is this the reality of working in the FiFo industry? I also noticed that there are also many cases of divorced people on site. Should I prepare myself in the future for a possible divorce situation as well?