Thinking about what you’d like to do after high school can be really challenging, especially if you really haven’t got any idea about which jobs are out there and what the work environments are like.
There are tonnes of online tours where you can explore different industries to get an idea of what a workplace looks like and even what some of the jobs available are. It’s a great way to explore potential careers, or rule them out, without even leaving your house (or your bed).
Considering a future in mining? Or just interested to see what it could look like working in a mine? We’ve put together a few links for you, but there are plenty more available online too.
Virtual Mine Tours
- Check out Rio Tinto’s Kennecott tour https://www.youvisit.com/tour/riotinto (tip: you’ll be asked to register your details before you watch but you don’t have to). Or their Lestok tour here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrRoXbaoPxY
- https://minerals.arizona.edu/content/virtual-mine-tours 3 tours only 5-15 minutes long, there’s even a quick quiz at the end if you’re really keen.
- https://www.angloamerican.com/futuresmart/stories/our-industry/mining-explained/a-tour-of-a-modern-mine a virtual tour of a modern mine.
- https://mineralseducationcoalition.org/education-database/nevada-mining-association-virtual-tour/ Take a virtual self-guided tour behind-the-scenes of Newmont Mining’s Twin Creeks Gold Mine and Mill in Nevada.
- Find out about the life cycle of a mine in Australia here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24UO2Y8544s, think about all the jobs that are a part of the process.
- Lots of short videos about the working of a copper mine https://digintomining.com/virtualfieldtrips/archive
- Get a tour of the gold mine in Ballarat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSfmlMPMiOs
- See how a copper and gold mine in NSW works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr43-cwWccM
- Check out an open coal mine at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLaCDMhCOQs
- A quick 10-minute tour of a Canadian gold mine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqpP48qs2P0
Not sure if mining is right for you?
It’s always great to keep an open mind about opportunities, but why not start by finding out which Career Cluster (or clusters) you fit into most strongly.
Then think about the jobs that might be available within those clusters in the mining industry. For example if you’re a Maker working in the mines you could be a driller, blaster, truck or train driver, heavy machinery operator, or carrying out installation or repair work.
