Mining career information pack Mining, exploration and geoscience sector Contents Foreword 2 There’s more to mining 3 Modern mining careers 4 STEM Industry School Partnerships 5 Geoscience careers 6 Career pathways 7 University of Wollongong - engineering 8 University of Wollongong - geology 10 University of Newcastle - engineering 12 University of New South Wales - engineering 19 Vocational education and training 27 Additional study and training options in New South Wales 33 Additional Resources 34 Department of Regional NSW | Mining career information pack 2020 — 1 Foreword Mining is a strong and vibrant industry providing opportunities to work in diverse felds across NSW, in other parts of Australia and internationally. Regional NSW has a thriving mining and exploration sector, generating in excess of $31 billion in value annually. We have a plentiful supply of in-demand Modern careers require fexibility and agility. resources, we’re world leaders in geoscience, The skills learned in the mining industry create and we’re pioneers in mining equipment, opportunities to transfer in and out of mining technology and services. For young people over the course of a career. considering their career paths, now is a great This information pack showcases the many time to think about getting involved in mining. and varied career paths available in the mining Mining companies are continuing to build sector, and the diversity of study pathways strong regional workforces and are seeking to help students unlock these opportunities. to employ young people from regional NSW It also provides links to many more excellent who have the right skills. I’m passionate resources that are available online. about ensuring young people have access I hope this provides inspiration and to the support, education and employment encourages students to choose a career in pathways they need to pursue these career mining in regional NSW, a truly great place to opportunities in their hometowns. live, work and play. There are many starter jobs available in the mining industry for school leavers, and for TAFE and university graduates. These range Michael Wright from boilermaking to geology, from human Deputy Secretary resources to fnance, and from engineering to Mining, Exploration and Geoscience communications. Department of Regional NSW The skills needed to work in mining today and into the future are very diferent to the past. Today, mining is becoming more automated and there’s growing emphasis on social and environmental sustainability over the life of a mine. This means there are exciting opportunities for university graduates in areas as varied as data analysis, software development, environmental science, geology and engineering. Department of Regional NSW | Mining career information pack 2020 — 2 01 There’s more to mining Modern mining careers Thought you knew what a career Î Mining companies need young people in mining looked like? Think again! with relevant skills to fll these future jobs. These jobs will be from entry level Î The mining industry is changing rapidly to to tertiary qualifed, from engineers and meet the demands of the future, adopting geologists to environmental scientists and innovative technologies to solve complex workplace health and safety managers. The problems. This means the way we mine opportunities are endless. – from exploration to processing and operations – looks diferent than it did 50 years ago. Studying STEM subjects will Î A modern mining career might see you unlock these career opportunities using virtual reality technology to simulate Î Enrolling in science, technology, hazardous training, deploying drones engineering and mathematics (STEM) to survey mine sites, or using 3D laser subjects is the frst step on your mining scanning to build geological maps. career pathway. Î Although traditional occupations and skills Î STEM subjects equip you with practical in the mining sector will remain important, skills, encourage critical thinking and the mining jobs of tomorrow are using promote creative problem solving. automation, robotics, artifcial intelligence and data analytics to improve efciency, Î The future mining workforce will require reduce costs and increase safety. a broad suite of skills and capabilities that are underpinned by science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We need highly-skilled young Î After school, there are many diferent people to fll the jobs of tomorrow pathways into mining careers. You may choose to continue your studies at Î The mining industry is a signifcant university, enrol in vocational education employer in regional NSW. The sector and training or start an apprenticeship or provides around 29,600 direct jobs and traineeship at a mine site. supports tens of thousands more jobs in around 7,000 mining supplier businesses across the state. Î Thousands of new jobs will be created in the coming years, both within existing and expanded mine sites and as planned mining projects become operational. Department of Regional NSW | Mining career information pack 2020 — 4 STEM Industry School Partnerships Through the connection of education and State Project Leader industry, the STEM Industry School Partnerships Dr Scott Sleap (SISP) program is inspiring students to study [email protected] STEM in preparation for careers in mining, Mid North Coast exploration and geoscience. Jeff Appleby [email protected] A career in the mining industry can include a range of roles, such as Mechatronic Specialists, Riverina Drone Pilots, Environmental Scientists and even Ian Preston Social Media Managers. The foundations of [email protected] knowledge for these professions is STEM, Southern Inland hence the selection of STEM subjects in Ingrid Clements Years 11 and 12 is vital. [email protected] We are working in regions across NSW with Hunter major industry partners such as Bengal la Mining Peggy Mangovski Company, Bluescope Steel, Thiess, WesTrac [email protected] and Engineers Australia to create an industry- Northern Rivers informed STEM school curriculum, and nurture Heather Laverick real-world skills in our STEM students. [email protected] Mining is a great industry offering many Central Coast career choices. It is important as a society Nikyetta Pencheff that we encourage a love of STEM in our [email protected] children to support the global improvement in living standards. At Bengal la we fully support lllawarra the SISP program and are happy to be a part Andrew Laidler [email protected] of the team engaging and inspiring our kids in everything STEM. General Manager, Bengalla Mining Company Get involved and learn more about local career opportunities, contact your regional SISP Project Officer or visit sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au ~ SISP =I Education sispprogram.schools.nsw.gov.au — 5 Geoscience careers Geoscience careers Data geoscientists collect, analyse and Mineralogists study the chemical and interpret geoscience data to better physical properties of minerals to better understand Earth’s processes and resources, understand their formation and mineral sometimes applying machine learning. resources. Environmental geoscientists investigate Mine geologists work at mine sites, soil, rock and water chemistry to better sometimes in remote areas and understand environmental processes. underground, predicting the location of mineralised rock to guide mine Exploration geologists do feldwork and development. desktop studies in search of mineral and petroleum deposits. Palaeontologists study the remains of all lifeforms and traces they have left behind, to Gemmologists assess gemstones and understand Earth’s history, past climates identify treatments to enhance gem quality. and the evolution of life. Geochemists analyse chemistry of natural Spatial/3D geoscientists collect and analyse materials for mineral and petroleum a range of geographical and spatial data to exploration, environmental management create maps, 3D models and animations. and research to understand Earth processes. Volcanologists work in the feld or in the Geochronologists specialise in dating rocks laboratory to understand how volcanoes and sediments to better understand form and erupt. geological and human history. Geomorphologists study landforms and the More information processes that shape them. jobactive Geophysicists record physical properties of www.jobsearch.gov.au rocks in the feld or lab and analyse the data myfuture to interpret Earth’s structure and www.myfuture.edu.au composition. Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) Hydrogeologists investigate the fo w, www.minerals.org.au distribution and quality of water in Australasian Institute of Mining and groundwater systems. Metallurgy (AusIMM) www.ausimm.com — 6 02 Career pathways University of Wollongong - engineering Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mining CAMPUS DURATION ATAR – SR IB UAC CRICOS STARTS IN * * 4yrs 80 / 95 S 28 / 37 S 755615 / 083339G / Session 1 (February) Wollongong 755601 083341C Session 2 (July) * This rank is the minimum ATAR – SR or IB required for consideration and does not provide guaranteed entry. S - Scholars option is available WHAT YOU WILL STUDY Mining engineers apply science, geoscience, engineering and technology to the efficient At UOW, Mining Engineering focuses on the design of engineering systems, with an emphasis on mining methods, extraction of minerals from the earth, turning ventilation, environmental engineering, rock mechanics, ore raw materials