Mining and Materials Engineer
Mining and Materials Engineers plan and direct the engineering aspects of locating and extracting minerals, petroleum and natural gas from the Earth, and of commercial application of materials, manufacturing processes and products.
What you would do:
- select and test the best combination of materials and minerals for specific purposes
- test materials and minerals to assess how tolerant they are to heat, corrosion or chemical attack
- assess materials and minerals for such qualities as electrical conductivity or durability
- evaluate industrial minerals (e.g. silica, sands, dolomites, limestones, magnesite, etc.) for glass or refractory manufacture
- consider the implications for waste and other environmental pollution of any product or process
- advise on the adaptability of a plant to new processes and materials
- work to solve problems which may arise either during the manufacturing process or with the finished product (e.g. problems caused by daily wear and tear, or change of environment)
- supervise quality control throughout the construction and production process
- monitor plant conditions and material reactions during use
- help to ensure that products comply with national and international legal and quality standards
- advise on inspection, maintenance and repair procedures
- liaise with colleagues in manufacturing, technical and scientific support, purchasing, and marketing
- supervise the work of materials engineering technicians and other staff
- consider the cost implications of materials used and alternatives, in terms of both time and money
- take account of energy usage in manufacturing and in-service energy saving, e.g. in transport and construction applications
- develop materials which are amenable to recycling
You need to be:
- a person with good communication skills in presenting technical data both in writing and in presentations to colleagues from your discipline and other professionals;
- able to work as part of a team and to take individual responsibility and make decisions;
- a person with a strong commercial awareness;
- interested in scientific/technical issues and, for some positions, a real interest in a specific type of product;
- a person with strong analytical skills and problem-solving ability;
- knowledgeable of maths and science, and IT skills;
- able to prioritise and plan effectively.
You will require:
Apart from a degree in materials engineering, a number of other engineering and science-based subjects are acceptable for entry to this profession. These include:
- applied chemistry
- applied physics
- ceramics and glass
- chemical engineering
- chemistry
- mechanical engineering
- metallurgy
- minerals/mining engineering
- geology
- physics
- polymer science/technology
- structural engineering
Improve your chances by:
Taking Mathematics, Sciences and Engineering at School.
What you will earn:
Starting Salaries for Mining and Materials Engineers begin at $70 000 and can go up to $140 000 per annum.
Long term possibilities:
Career prospects are currently good within this branch of engineering, as there is a shortage of mining and materials engineers, exacerbated by there being so many different specialisms and such rapid technological change in the field.
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