How to use the API – jobs

JobCode

Unique code assigned to the job for identification purposes

J80312

MaoriTitle

Māori translation of the job title (macrons will be parsed)

Mataaro Waro

Description

Summary paragraph describing what the job involves

Mining engineers plan, prepare, design and manage the development of opencast (above ground) or underground mines.

JobOpportunitiesCaption

Summary paragraph describing the chance of finding work in the job

Chances of getting a job as a mining engineer are average due to the limited number of opportunities in the mining industry in New Zealand.

Specialisations

Title and short description of specialisations associated with the job

Academic and Research Mining Engineer

Academic and research mining engineers often work in universities or research centres. They may specialise in fields such as rock engineering, mining economics, or geology project design.

RequiredQualifications

Summary of qualifications usually required to enter the job (where applicable)

Bachelor of Engineering (majoring in resource or mechanical engineering).

PayDetails

Detailed description of the job’s pay range

Pay for mining engineers varies, depending on experience and level of responsibility.

Graduate mining engineers can earn between $60,000 and $70,000 a year.

Experienced mining engineers can earn between $75,000 and $120,000.

Senior mining engineers can earn between $95,000 and $140,000 a year.

PayRangesSource

Source for pay details data

Source: Hays, 2014 Salary Guide.

Expectations

Detailed description of tasks and duties associated with the job

Mining engineers may do some or all of the following:

• prepare designs, plans and schedules for mining operations

• research and develop new mining methods and technology

• determine the equipment to be used to create/develop a mine

• prepare reports on proposed mines and their viability

• consult with clients, professionals, and government officials

• oversee work at the mine site

• ensure safety and environmental standards are met and maintained

• study ways to improve mining

• carry out economic analysis on mineral deposits

• examine and work towards minimising the impact of mining on the environment.

SkillsAndKnowledge

Detailed description of skills and knowledge required to do the job

Mining engineers need to have:

• knowledge of mining methods and different mining processes

• knowledge of the practical aspects of operating a mine

• knowledge of geology, maths, physics, and chemistry.

WorkingConditions

Detailed description of the work environment associated with the job

Mining engineers:

• usually work regular hours, but may work longer hours to meet deadlines, and may also need to be on call

• work in offices, laboratories and mine sites, often in isolated locations

• work in conditions that may be dangerous, noisy and dirty, and can be cramped or confined, if they work in underground mines, or uncomfortable due to weather conditions if they work above ground

• may travel or work overseas.

EntryRequirements

Detailed description of the entry requirements usually required to enter the job

To become a mining engineer you need to complete a Bachelor of Engineering (majoring in resource or mechanical engineering).

Undergraduates must gain some practical experience while studying, and this is usually organised as part of the course.

Mining engineers usually spend two to three years on a graduate mining engineer programme, training and gaining work experience working alongside miners, surveyors and geologists, before they become fully qualified.

SecondaryEducation

Detailed description of the schooling level required and NCEA subjects that may be useful to enter the job, or training or study associated with the job

NCEA Level 3 is required to enter tertiary training. Maths with calculus and physics is usually required to enter the Bachelor of Engineering programme.

PersonalQualities

Detailed description of the personal attributes that may be required in the job

Mining engineers need to be:

• skilled at project management, people management and leadership

• skilled at writing proposals and making presentations

• excellent communicators who are confident talking to, instructing and liaising with a wide range of people

• able to identify, analyse and solve problems

• creative, practical and efficient

• decisive problem-solvers who are able to remain calm in emergencies, and work well under pressure

• able to act on their own initiative, and as part of a team

• responsible, forward-thinking and disciplined

• skilled at finance and budgeting.

UsefulExperience

Detailed description of other experience that may be useful to the job

Experience in mining, quarrying or construction is useful, as is a strong interest in geology and civil engineering.

PhysicalRequirements

Detailed description of the physical attributes that may be required in the job

Mining engineers need to be reasonably fit as they can spend a lot of their time walking at mine sites.

ChancesOfGettingAJob

Detailed description of the chances of finding work in the job

Difficult trading conditions have led to reduced mining operations in the mining industry during 2013/14. There is unlikely to be any growth in opportunities for mining engineers in New Zealand until trading conditions improve.

However, there is still strong demand internationally for mine engineers.

Mining engineers mostly work for coal and gold mining firms.

Mining engineers are mostly employed by two large coal mining firms: Solid Energy and Bathurst Resources Limited, and two key gold mining companies: Oceana Gold Limited and Newmont Mining Corporation.

ProgressionAndSpecialisations

Detailed description of any progressions and specialisations associated with the job

Progression and specialisations

Mining engineers can become self-employed and work as independent consultants for mines or be employed on a contractual basis. They can also progress to become mine or quarry managers.

Mining engineers may specialise in the following areas:

• Academic and Research Mining Engineer
  Academic and research mining engineers often work in universities or research centres. They may specialise in fields such as rock engineering, mining economics, or geology project design.

• Coal Mining Engineer
  Coal mining engineers work in open pit or underground mines and tend to use a variety of mining methods.

ChancesOfGettingAJobSource

Sources used when writing about the job

• Hays, 'Hays 2014 Salary Guide: Resources and Mining', 2014, (www.hays.net.nz).

• Immigration New Zealand, 'Essential Skills in Demand List Review 2014', (www.immigration.govt.nz)

• MITO, 'Investment Plan 2014', (www.mito.org.nz).

• NZ Herald, 'Buller to lose another 60 jobs', 12 June 2014, (www.nzherald.co.nz).

EmploymentDataSource

Source for the numbers of people employed in the job

Source: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, '2003-2012 Occupation Data' (prepared for Careers New Zealand), 2012.

inSkillShortage

Whether the job is included on Immigration New Zealand’s immediate or long-term skill shortage lists

N

ANZSCO

The ANZSCO code associated with the job (where applicable)

233200

URLSegment

URL associated with the job

http://www.careers.govt.nz/jobs/mining/mining-engineer/

Title

Job title

Mining Engineer

Version

Version number

110

ID

ID associated with the job in our system

15

LastEdited

Date the job page was last published

Updated 14 Aug 2015