Types of mining jobs

Mining jobs are in demand. There are as many direct jobs in the mining industry now as during the 2012 boom. But what types of mining jobs are there?

Mining jobs span a range from operational roles to corporate positions. They can be located on-site in regional areas, sometimes on a fly-in, fly-out or drive-in, drive-out roster. Or they can be based in a city office.

Regardless of the role, different types of mining jobs highlight the diversity and importance of the industry to Australia’s economic opportunities.

Mining is here to stay. It is through mining that society will source the materials for energy production, and develop new technologies to power the future. An electric car battery, for example, requires more than a dozen minerals and the power to charge it[1].

Onsite mining jobs

Mining jobs that are located at the mine site range from exploration to extraction, operations and land rehabilitation.

Exploration jobs search and secure the right site to develop mines[2]. Roles include exploration geoscientists, geophysicists, hydrogeologists, surveyors and drillers.

Planning the mine requires the work of many engineers, including electrical, mining, geotechnical and civil engineers. At the same time, community engagement workers are in the field helping to support local groups.

Other professionals are required during the extraction and processing of the resource. These include mine operators, truck drivers, geologists, remote systems technicians, electricians and diesel mechanics and fitters. Dragline operators, welders and mechanics also support the work occurring in the mine.

While a mine is operational, there is also continual land and environmental rehabilitation underway. This means there are jobs for agricultural scientists, cultural heritage advisers and environmental scientists.

Mining jobs in the city

All the corporate roles that come with a major business are just as important in mining. There are roles for professional services, business analysts, procurement officers and contract managers, health and safety officers, lawyers and communications officers.

Many mining companies have progressive, leading policies on diversity and inclusion. This supports a broad, flexible work culture that attracts people to the industry, and keeps them there.

The Queensland Resources Council’s Economic Impact of Minerals and Energy Sector on the Queensland Economy 2020/21 found that in Brisbane, the Queensland capital, about 14.4 per cent of the jobs were supported by the minerals and energy sectors. This highlights the importance of these industries to urban and national economies.

Mining-related jobs also include roles in Australia’s world-leading Mining Engineering and Technology Services (METS) sector. It is growing year-on-year at a rate of 7 per cent, as high-tech digital automation capacity increases across the resources industry[3].

These services improve both productivity, safety and sustainability through the use of technology, such as increasing process efficiencies and improving remote operations and automation. METS breakthroughs allow Australian resources operations to complete internationally, despite the high wages paid to local workers compared to those abroad.

Mining jobs in Queensland

Mining jobs in Queensland hit unprecedented levels in 2021, exceeding the mining boom in the early 2010s[4].

As Australia’s leading producer of metallurgical coal, with the biggest spend in minerals exploration, mining jobs in Queensland are set to continue well into the future[5].

According to the Queensland Resources Council’s Economic Impact report, more than 422,000 jobs across the state were supported by the minerals and energy sectors[6]. This includes almost 55,000 direct jobs, an increase of 5.4 per cent. The total input into the Queensland economy from minerals and energy spending was $38.6bn in 2020/2021, with coal mining contributing about $26.8bn.

Direct mining jobs in Queensland also support other businesses that provide services to the sector. Resources companies paid for goods or services from more than 15,000 local businesses in Queensland in 2020/2021[7]. 

To find out more about working at the Carmichael mine, visit the Bravus Jobs website.

[1] Make_Your_Career_In_Mining.pdf (minerals.org.au)

[2] Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists | (aseg.org.au)

[3] METS Ignited - Industry Growth Centre | Mining in Australia

[4] Queensland mining jobs hit record high - Queensland Resources Council - Queensland mining jobs hit record high - Queensland Resources Council (qrc.org.au)

[5] qrc.org.au/media-releases/exploration-expenditure-surges-in-sunshine-state/

[6] https://www.qrc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Economic-Impact-of-Resources-Sector-on-Qld-Economy-2020-21-Exec-Summary-FInal.pdf

[7] Ibid.