Your Questions Answered

To help you learn more about the extractive industry, we have answers to your most frequently asked questions

Q. Is there still a need for the extractive industry?
A. Yes! The extractive industry is very much alive and kicking in the UK and overseas. In 2002, 538,564,000 tonnes of minerals and minerals-based products were consumed in the UK alone and with the world’s population predicted to increase from 6.5 billion to 9 billion by 2050, the demand for minerals is going to continue to grow.. The industry is vital in providing the essential materials we need for our everyday lives, take a look at what’s yours is mined to find out just how much we rely upon the industry for our everyday lives!

Q. What is the difference between a quarry and a mine?
A.A 'mine' can be defined as the extraction site of metals and solid fossil fuels. Mines can be underground or above ground, called a surface mine, 'open-cast mine', 'open-pit' or just 'pit'. A 'quarry' can be defined as the extraction site of aggregates and industrial minerals above ground.

Q. Haven’t all mines closed in the UK?
A. No, although the coal mining industry was drastically scaled down in the UK during the 1980s, there are still around 2,300 mineral workings in the UK, and in 2002 the UK produced 541,632 tonnes of minerals and minerals based products. Take a look at quarry finder to find quarries and mines near you; they’re closer than you think!

Q. Does the extractive industry destroy the environment?
A. No, mineral extraction is only a temporary use of land, which is later returned to some useful purpose, and very often the reclaimed land is more biodiverse than the original land. These days there is a strong commitment from the industry for high environmental performance, both during and after extraction. Strict restoration and after use proposals are an essential part of all mineral planning applications, which must be approved and funded before excavation begins. Take a look at responsibility to find out more about the industries environmental performance.

Q. Is the industry dangerous for its workers? Top
A. The extractive industry is safer now than it ever has been. The number of reportable injuries in the UK quarry industry has been reduced by 52% over 5 years with the implementation of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Hard Target initiative (2000-2005). The industry is also using new techniques of reducing accidents, including behavioural safety.

Q. Are there many career opportunities in the extractive industry? Top
A. Yes! Careers in the extractive industry are as diverse as finance, law, design, IT, environmental management, customer support, sales, health and safety, engineering plus many more! Take a look at what’s on offer to find out more.

Q. Will I have to work underground in a mine? Top
A. No, the extractive industry has many career opportunities above ground and in open pit excavations, as well as underground. These days even mining engineers are not just destined to a life underground, they can be involved in almost all areas of the extraction process, and often support activities that have nothing to do with mines; many of mining engineers work in the construction industry, building subway tunnels or excavating skyscraper foundations and bridge pilings.

Q. I want to work in the extractive industry, how do I go about it? Top
A.People join the extractive industry with all sorts of qualifications and training. You can progress your career in the extractive industry through all kinds of routes, whether you wish to study for a degree or earn as you learn with a vocational qualification (N/SVQ) or distance-learning courses. Take a look at the careers pages to find out more, or contact universities to find out more about their courses, or contact prospective employers to find out about on the job training.

Q. How much can I expect to earn and what are salaries based on? Top
A. Salaries are based on qualifications, experience and performance. Starting salaries for graduates with a good degree in the UK are around £20-25,000 and between A$60-80,000 in Australia as there is a demand globally for mining engineering graduates! Companies also offer other benefits such as generous superannuation, paid leave and insurance cover. Some companies offer opportunities to buy shares at discount prices.

Q. How easy is it to get a job with a degree in the extractive industry? Top
A. The extractive industry welcomes graduates with industry related degrees and there are also many jobs for those with more diverse degrees; postgraduate qualifications are on offer for those who wish to specialise their degrees in industry related areas. Jobs opportunities are particularly plentiful for graduates with mining engineering degrees and good graduates can expect up to 7 job offers!

Q. What qualifications do I need to do a degree? Top
A. This will depend upon the course and where you wish to study. Good base A levels to have are in science and/or mathematics subjects. To find out course requirements, have a look at the universities courses on the careers pages or have a look at university prospectuses in your careers library.

Q. How long will it take to qualify? Top
A.Most university degree courses take 3 years to complete, with an extra year if you wish to complete an MSc postgraduate course. Vocational qualifications and distance learning courses vary in the time taken to qualify. Take a look at university prospectuses or contact prospective employers to find out the time taken to qualify for individual courses.

Q. Is there any financial help available for me to go to university? Top
A. Depending upon the course you wish to study there is financial help available for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Many universities have scholarships and bursaries available to students and the industry provide funding to financially help students studying particular degree courses, such as mining engineering where demand for graduates is high. Contact individual universities to find out what financial help they can offer.

Q. What training/career progression can I expect in the industry? Top
A. The varied nature of the extractive industry means that you will be constantly updating your skills and knowledge throughout your career. The progress of your career will depend upon the area of the extractive industry you are working in and the company you are working for. Some companies may provide opportunities to go on training courses whilst others will allow you to identify your own training needs and follow them up. Generally there is a good provision of training opportunities to increase the competence of workers within the industry.

Q. Where do i find out where jobs are available? Top
A.Vacancies for jobs and graduate training schemes can be found on company websites, and you can use details of prospective employers to make speculative applications.

See also:

Graduate careers

The Mining Jobsite

The Mining Journal

Materials World

Quarry Management

Infomine

Minerals Engineering International

The Jobpit

Recruitment agencies:

 

Hunter Personnel

Thomas Mining Associates

Earthworks