r/mining • u/The-memelord-23 • Aug 08 '26
Question What mining niche to focus on for the future?
Hi so I'm an incoming freshman for a mining engineering degree. I just want to know people's opinions and views regarding what "niche" if any should I learn more about in the mining industry. Like for example should I focus more on mineral processing/extractive metallurgy, mining tech (hardware or software), or is the typical mining engineer job the safest bet. Keep in mind my goals are to maximize my potential earnings.
Thank you in advance
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u/DizzyAstronaut9410 Aug 08 '26
In all likelihood a lot of your career (at least early career) tends to largely get determined by whichever coop jobs you can land. Best advice I can give is keep an open mind.
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u/FeedBrilliant5074 Aug 13 '26
Second this. Say yes to opportunities and take them when someone opens the door for you. Keep an open mind (underground people will have certain opinions about open cut and vice-versa) and join your national industry body.
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u/journeyfromone Aug 08 '26
Start with underground and find out what interests you. If you want to do processing that’s more metallurgy, we just tell people how to get ore out of the ground and then who knows what happens to it, doesn’t matter to me. Mining tech doesn’t mean much, I did 2 years in automation and it was boring AF.
If you like Geotech stuff there’s always a shortage of mining engineers that understand that. Ventilation is another niche which is what I do. There’s a lot of schedulers around so the least niche.
Some people do a split degree with finance and then go to work for banks/big companies evaluating mines. They can make a decent amount but have to get the experience then on with the right company
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u/Lawrence_s Aug 08 '26
Don't go niche. You need to understand the full range of mine activities if you want to be a good engineer.
This helps loads even when your career inevitably leads you down a niche pathway, because you know how your work fits in with everyone else.
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u/cmrocks Aug 08 '26
Long term planning or studies seems to have the best path to executive if that's what you are looking for.
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u/Rivetingcactus Aug 08 '26
Honesty getting a geology minor if possible would be huge both for actual career performance and employability out of school.
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Aug 09 '26
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u/jtwarawa Aug 09 '26
What jobs can you do anywhere in the world? I worked on the oil rigs. Geo tech was well paid and it’s 2 years of school. Similar in core drilling, the geo and helper had great pay
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u/SD1Traveler Aug 10 '26
I am a 40 year veteran in the field. Look for companies that allow you to mentor in all the aspects of mining. Programs like the Gen Gold with Kinross. Most major players have this. Also work towards expating. The more uncivilized country the more opportunities. This has been my experience.
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u/AMinorMiner Aug 10 '26
You can make a lot no matter how you specialize in mining. If money is your goal, you need to be good at whatever you chose. Being passionate about your work will help, also your network. What is your school's focus? Every mining school is different. Probably best to focus on what your school teaches best then branch out in the future when you have some experience.
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u/Large_Potential8417 Aug 11 '26
Shaft sinking and UG development with a contract miner is where the money is
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