Often the thought of a career in mining conjures up thoughts of drilling rock in dark underground tunnels in hard hats. These jobs do still exist today, but the mining industry has undergone significant transformation in recent years, due to the rapid rise new technologies and adaptation to social and environmental changes.
In a new report, The Future of Tech is Mining, CSG Talent authors Simon Gillibrand and Christina Theoklitou-Panagiotou put the spotlight on an industry with a bright future that can provide global career opportunities for top-level talent.
While the demand for precious metals and critical minerals vital to the green energy transition has never been greater, the mining industry has been under growing pressure from world leaders and wider society to become a more sustainable and eco- friendly industry, while it simultaneously looks to attract new talent.
“The future of tech rests on mining’s ability to sustainably extract precious metals, which are crucial to powering EVs, data centres, electrification and more,” the authors note. “Still, the mining industry desperately needs to attract talent to fill the skills gap to innovate.”
The mining industry needs data scientists, software architects and machine learning engineers in order to innovate to reach net zero and keep up with demand.
The mining and metals sector is facing a crucial juncture with a shortage of skilled workers and retirees leaving the industry in droves, making it challenging to replace them. For instance, in May 2022, the US mining sector had 36,000 job vacancies, up from 27,000 the previous year, according to the report.
The mining industry must focus on bridging its skills gap with fresh talent from various sectors, the authors point out.
“The mining industry impacts all industry sectors across the globe and this talent is essential to create a more sustainable future, if we can work together to decarbonize the industry this will have a real-world impact across every other supply chain,” says co-author Simon Gillibrand.
To speed up the development of carbon-reducing technologies, the authors believe that the solution lies in creating strategic pools of talent involving different technology providers and skill sets who can look at miners’ requirements and work together to find the right answers.
Implementing electrification to achieve net zero in the mining industry requires a data-driven approach, the authors note.
“By conducting thorough assessments through comparative simulation studies, the industry can gain a deeper understanding of each individual mining operation and make informed project decisions,” the report reads. “These assessments consider technology, economics, geography, regulations, and cultural differences.
By leveraging real data, the electrification systems can be fine-tuned and customised to fit the specific needs of each mining operation. This requires collaboration between stakeholders, including technology providers, investors, service providers, consultants, EPC/EPCMs, and OEMs.
“By involving all relevant parties, the industry can ensure the successful implementation of electrification and reach its sustainability goals.”
Read the full report here.
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Christina Dian Parmionova
The future of tech rests on mining’s ability to sustainably extract precious metals.