St. Louis, 19 June 2018 – Mining and manufacturing are part of the many STEM-related (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) occupations projected to grow to more than 9 million jobs between 2012 and 2022, faster than most other occupations. The mining industry alone is estimated to grow by 50,000 jobs by 2019, with an additional 78,000 replacement workers needed as active workers retire, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Today, the U.S. lead battery industry directly employs more than 20,000 people across the country, and mining operations employ more than 186,000.
The Doe Run Company (Doe Run) mining and lead battery recycling operations are following this trend with increased hiring in 2017 and 2018. In addition, Doe Run is hosting a 13-student class of summer interns to help train skilled workers needed for the future of the industry.
“Our industry has a solid future, with lead batteries providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for over 75 percent of the world’s rechargeable energy storage needs. And, as demand grows for both energy and emissions reductions, a variety of innovative and sustainable battery technologies are required,” said Mark Coomes, vice president – human resources and community relations. “We’re excited to be a part of training the next generation of miners, as well as material scientists and metallurgists, who will see future advances in lead batteries that today are just in the research stage.
Doe Run’s internship program provides professional work experience for students. This summer, Doe Run welcomed the following interns:
“We will continue to need bright young professionals to lead future innovations in our field, and enjoy helping these interns launch their career,” said Coomes. “It’s an economic success story that Doe Run can manage many stages of the lead lifecycle here in the U.S., where mining and recycling provides an abundant supply of the lead we need for batteries.”
In addition to internships, Doe Run partners with local colleges, including Missouri S&T and MAC, to provide scholarships, field trips and equipment donations that help train the future workforce. In Spring 2018, Doe Run supported Missouri S&T’s Summer Explosives Camp with two full-ride scholarships for students.