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Often,
when we talk of mining jobs, a certain mental image forms: coal-dusted men
emerging at the end of a shift as a steam-whistle blows, hardhats on and
pick-axes in hand.
Whilst
this might be the popular image of mining, it fails to give an accurate
impression of a sector that increasingly finds itself at the cutting edge of
engineering, science and technology and of the executive-level workforce, which
makes that industry run effectively.
Executive
roles are critical in the mining, mineral and metals sectors. Whether ensuring
efficiency and safety in production and development or assisting in reducing
time and cost, executives in the mining industries are instrumental in ensuring
their respective enterprises continue to experience economic well-being.
Despite this, there is often a lack of awareness of the breadth of executive
roles and opportunities available in the mining industry.
Women are underrepresented at all levels within the mining industry, particularly within executive and senior roles. For example, in a 2021 study conducted by McKinsey & Company of global recruitment statistics of women in mining jobs at the executive level, the female representation within mining enterprise C-suites sat at 13%, with no female-helmed mining companies within the S&P 500 companies.
Despite
this, the importance of
diversity in the mining industry cannot be overstated. Beyond equality, diverse
teams have been shown to be more productive and safer, promoting strategic
creativity. Similarly, investors have tended to favour companies with
women represented at the executive level, with companies with gender diversity
on their executive board generating more
profit than those with less diverse executive
teams.
Gender
diversity is important at the executive level in mining, particularly if
companies wish to have a strong footing in the global market as we move forward
into the decade.
So,
what can solve the gender disparity in the mining industry? Mining executive
recruitment agencies are particularly important in addressing this
issue—particularly at the senior level. Executive recruiters can recognise that
women are typically more hesitant when applying for roles that don't meet all
of the listed criteria, despite meeting the essential requirements of that
position.
Executive
recruitment agencies can think differently about the sorts of people that can
fill their vacant mining jobs, such as drawing on candidates with backgrounds
in the military or manufacturing. Alternatively, they can consider working
alongside companies with established mentorship programs helping women climb
the ladder in their mining careers. Companies can champion
policies which tackle systemic exclusionary practices in
their worksites and seek to improve company cultures.
By
focusing on the retention and promotion of their female employees, companies
will create environments where women want to work. More women will be attracted
to senior mining jobs when they know they can thrive and advance with these
companies.
Supply chain disruptions, largely due to geopolitical strife and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to pose a boon to the mining industry. As a result, increased demand coupled with the reduced supply of mineral commodities has led to EBITDA margins nearing 50% in 2022.
As
we proceed through the coming decade, the demand for these minerals is only
expected to grow, particularly as hundreds of millions of East Asian citizens
enter the global middle class.
From
new computing and telephony developments to the renewable energy industry, a
similar rush is being felt on the minerals and metals used in producing solar
photovoltaic cells, wind turbine blades, transformers, microprocessors, and
battery storage technologies.
As
global economies transition towards net zero and organisations push for decarbonisation,
the need for metals will mean that the mining industry will be expected to meet
the challenge of providing the required raw materials.
From silicon to tellurium and indium, as well as the coal used in coking furnaces for steel production, the mining industry is experiencing a renaissance since its lull in the later years of the last decade. Consequently, executive roles in the mining industry will be fundamental in leading the projects supporting our transition towards clean energy generation.
Executives
in these roles will drive the scientific and technical aspects of the projects
they work on while ensuring the safety of the staff working under them. With
mining so intrinsically linked to the global economy, the success of the next
generation of mining executives will hinge on their ability to leverage the
increased financial
strength of their operations and to utilise high commodity
prices now to weather any future market uncertainty.
These
executive roles are difficult to recruit for, however. Years of experience and
specialist qualifications in various geoscientific fields are common
requirements for employment at the executive level. In addition, an ageing
workforce—averaging 46.5 years old, or 6 years
higher than the US workforce—means an executive-level skills gap is looming in
the industry.
Executive
search firms can assist in plugging this gap. Still, to fully address it, the
entire industry must evidence the varied character of executive and
senior-level roles available and attract talent from other sectors.
Far
beyond the antiquated image of mining outlined in the opening of this article,
executives are vital to the mining industry's productivity, safety, and
scientific rigour.
At the senior level, many mining and mineral extraction enterprises are engaged in a war for talent. As the skill set required for these roles often requires experience in project management, geology and computer science, candidates from outside of the mining industry have an opportunity to utilise their transferable skills.
The
future of executive-level work in the mining industry will not only be
increasingly digital, but with the introduction of so-called intelligent mining
operations, it will also be less
siloed. Collaboration between cross-functional teams will
be key, especially as developments in machine learning and artificial
intelligence allow for the operation of mines from "nerve
centres".
Let's
discuss what mining recruiters are considering to be the executive jobs of the
future for the sector:
As resource extraction becomes an ever-more specialised and complex task, the role of the technical services manager becomes increasingly important. The technical services manager supervises the varied technical teams which enable the mining company to carry out its operations, as well as coordinating the geological and engineering studies which ensure that mining activities are sustainable and in accordance with local legislation.
Candidates
looking to transition into such a position would typically be expected to hold
an undergraduate degree in mine engineering or geology and be able to evidence
around a decade's-worth of progressive experience in underground mining.
At
this level, postgraduate degrees with a focus on the more specific aspects of
mine operation would not be uncommon, with Master's degrees in an area of
geosciences or hydrology likely improving a prospective technical services
manager's chances of securing a role. Likewise, as the role will often require
their presence at the site, proficiency in local languages will benefit the
technical services manager.
The role of the technical services manager is twofold:
Computer
literacy is also a necessity, with technical services managers often requiring
advanced skills in 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and ventilation software such
as VnetPC. In addition, the technical services manager will be expected to read
and understand mine plans and be able to communicate these plans with the
technical team in exacting detail.
Leading
the technical services team, the day-to-day activities of the technical
services manager will see them playing a supervisory role. They will guide the
overall planning of mine development and identify areas for improvement,
whether in team cohesion or in extraction processes, such as to improve the
efficacy and timeliness of mining operations.
As
a result, the technical services manager is integral in the long-term safety
and strategic planning for the company's mining operations. They ensure that
the surface grade and any geological activities being undertaken at their site
are done in a way that aligns with the company policy and organisational
goals.
The role of the mining supervisor is quickly becoming one of the best-paying jobs within gold mining, copper mining and lithium mining, alongside many other sectors of resource extraction. The mining supervisor is expected to ensure the safety procedures of their company whilst complying with local, national and international legislation and quality standards on underground operations.
The
mining supervisor would be expected to engage and assist their staff regularly,
acting as a mentor alongside their other specific duties:
The
day-to-day tasks of the mining supervisor will focus on achieving production
targets and assuring the quality of the extracted minerals and metals, achieved
through directing and inspecting the work of subordinate staff. In addition, coordinating
the support and mentorship functions outlined above will also be important, as
it will ensure that work is conducted safely.
As
a result, the ideal mining supervisor would have a history of interpersonal
communication skills and the ability to evidence extensive experience in
motivating staff towards the cooperative team effort of the daily workings of a
mine, particularly with a workforce drawn from global recruitment efforts.
Alongside
this, a typical mining supervisor would possess a post-secondary qualification
in a specialism related to mining, such as geology or engineering, alongside
certification from an organisational body such as the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) or the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).
Fundamentally,
the role of the mining supervisor is to facilitate and direct the activities of
the mining team. As such, this role requires a candidate comfortable with all
aspects of defining and delegating the tasks of the mining crew, arranging to
repair all equipment and liaising with mechanics to put preventative
maintenance in place to ensure production schedules and organisational plans
are met.
General managers play a crucial role in the effective and productive operations and construction of mining sites and, as such, are a key target for executive search firms. Senior general managers are responsible for the general direction of mining and reclamation activities at their sites.
As
a result, general manager jobs in mining are often fast-paced. Therefore, it
calls for a candidate with prior experience managing large-scale engineering
projects focusing on safety and production processes. Furthermore, they need
knowledge of the preparation of engineering plans and reports and the ability
to communicate technical information to various stakeholders.
General
managers are expected to hold professional registration with an engineering
body, such as the Engineering Council, alongside a professional project
management qualification, such as a Project Management Professional (PMP)
certification.
General managers will work closely with all senior staff, including the aforementioned geologists, supervisors and technical services managers, to manage the day-to-day running of the mine, as well as coordinating with external consultants on inspections, geotechnical analyses and site safety investigations.
As one of the core scientific roles supporting the geotechnical engineering jobs in mine operations, the senior geologist is responsible for collecting, cataloguing, and analysing ore and mineral samples. The work of the senior geologist is critical to the mining operation—with their laboratory work, field mapping and surveying duties often determining the scale of on-site operations.
The
day-to-day tasks of the senior geologist will involve travelling to the mining
site and collecting samples for later analysis: they would look closely at ore
quality and address any environmental concerns in mining waste or tailings. At
the same time, they would be developing research proposals and studying recent
exploratory work to guide the future extraction activities of their companies.
Suitable
candidates for the role of senior geologist would often have the following
skills and qualifications:
The senior geologist will
often also be vital in solving the problem of the waste and tailings generated
by mining operations, as well as leading efforts on controlling the grade of
the mine, whether underground or open pit. Senior geologists
may also specialise in mining hydrogeologist jobs, focusing on utilising
software to model groundwater flow and designing exploratory boreholes for
sampling purposes.
Alongside
this, senior geologists will increasingly leverage artificial intelligence and
machine learning in their roles as mineral exploration continues to be carried
out by automated vehicles and drilling systems. This means that programming and
computer science knowledge would support the future-proofing of a candidate's
position.
Senior
geologists will often be housed on-site. As such, candidates should consider
whether a potential employer offers a relocation package, or travel between the
mine site and the point of hire, as there is often a global recruitment drive
for these vacancies.
Executive recruitment is critical to the productive and safe operation of sites in the mining, mineral, and metals sectors, particularly as we transition towards an economy based on decarbonisation and green energy. We have several global opportunities available in the industry, and our specialist recruiters will be pleased to assist you in your search.
If
you wish to take the next step in your career and believe that a senior role
might suit your talents, our team of executive recruiters are here to support
you. Contact
us to discuss your experience and qualifications.
For
our clients, if you're looking to build a skilled, diverse workforce which
draws upon the latest thinking and practice in the mining industry, we
represent an expert global executive search
agency for geotechnical engineering jobs and the mining sector at large.