Comprehensive site for mining industry covering exploration, projects, education, technology, joint ventures, countries, research, news and environment, world wide

CAREER AND EDUCATION

Education provides the fundamentals but the skills and professional attributes mould and bring about a successful career. In mining, the development of the skills is a necessity and only team work survives. In earlier days mining was mostly about coal mines and one has to decide before venturing into mining education whether a career in coal mining is to be pursued. Another important aspect was that the mining institutions centered around major mining areas and primarily catered to the industry directly. The competency examinations after the academics determined the level one could rise in the industry. Living and work centered around the mine. The availability of minerals determined the concentration of education and one has to live in that environment to pursue a career
 

ARTICLE ON CAREER AND EDUCATION     MINING SCHOOLS AROUND THE GLOBE  
  MINING SCHOOLS AND CONCENTRATION OF MINERALS
 

INTERDEPENDANCE IN EDUCATION, CAREER AND SAFETY

The "opening-up" of Global Market has ushered in a new "Gold Rush" and this time around there is more awareness and with it changing roles. Earlier it was oil and need for energy that brought a radical change in players but the future rush is for professionals and knowledge workers. It is estimated that the youngest populations by 2020 would be dominated by India and China and this could remain so till 2050. This could be a major influencing factor.
South Africa already faces a shortage of skilled professionals and knowledge workers to meet the provisions of the BEE on account of shortage and the required mining engineers, geologists, metallurgists and accountants with industry experience. The supply is either inadequate to meet the demand or the demands of those available underline the need to address this serious issue.
The accidents and increasing environmental and conservation awareness brings in its own set of regulations and restrictions requiring careful monitoring and also personnel for successful implementation. The very fact that almost 20 companies are already exploring in the Bushveld complex alone underlines the need to outsource further. 
India is facing a boom in the mining and construction sectors and and with urgent attention towards building infra structure to meet the emerging needs expect to add more jobs. 
The Sago mine tragedy brought to the focus the issues and the need to prevent recurrence. The strengthening the mining safety laws and the need to bring in a new safety regime and culture for mining further underlines the need for skilled professionals and urgency to address filling the gap.
In spite of increasing concern, awareness, framing laws and tightening safety regime, the recurring accidents underline the urgency to bring in skills and knowledge to address these issues. The process of change could be long and calls for involvement from all those involved, perseverance and also efforts to bridge the widening gap
also:
Safety Alerts , results of investigations, tips and much much more from MSHA
Reflections on enforcement of regulations

South-west Western Australia
Rio Tinto, a Pilbara-based mining company aims to train and develop 15% of its work force with  Aborigines by 2012 to work in the mining industry.
Mining Education in Sudbury
As a Ministry of Education initiative SHSM in Mining provides an opportunity and enables students complete an “Introduction to Mining course”, and gain an understanding of the mining industry and work with industry personnel through co-operative education placements
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