Theme of the Day: The skilled labour shortage in mining

The global mining industry is facing a severe, growing skills shortage driven by an aging workforce, rapid digitalization (AI, automation), and a poor perception among younger generations. Key shortages include mining engineers, geologists, metallurgists, and technicians, with 86% of executives reporting recruitment difficulties. China is graduating 20,000 mining professionals a year. The US and Canada? Around 300 each. Enrolment in relevant education and training is decreasing in the UK and countries like Australia and the US, with some courses being cancelled. The future talent pipeline is unlikely to meet the demand for skilled individuals across the value chain to, in turn, fulfil the booming demand for minerals and metals amid the green transition. This isn’t just a labour shortage. It is a full-blown pipeline crisis. We can’t build the future of mining without talent. And right now, we’re not even close to keeping pace. If we want to lead in critical minerals, energy transition, and domestic supply chains — We need to invest in people. Because no matter how good your technology is, you still need geologists, metallurgists, and engineers to run it. Paul Mitchell, EY Global and Asia-Pacific Mining & Metals Leader, recently referenced the alarming number of mining recruits in his review of risks for 2025. He is on the board of Colorado School of Mines. McKinsey and PwC have also raised the flag for decreasing numbers entering the mining industry. People know enough about the industry and where the critical metals that make up their phone, computers and Xboxes come from. We need to move away from mining being imaged by flat caps and whippets to artificial intelligence and drones, or virtual reality and automation. Perception of the mining industry: Mining engineering is perceived as a dirty and dangerous profession, which may not appeal to a generation of students concerned about our planet’s environment and future. While the focus on critical minerals might irk some of those in the industry that sees all mining as crucial, the topic is well-defined in highlighting supply issues. We have just got to get on the back of it if it helps sell our industry and helps us all do better. So, the question is: Who’s going to do the work? Mining is a difficult sell. There are few jobs, limited places to live, limited opportunities etc. Mining just can’t compete for workers in other industries. Mining company CEO’s across the US in particular need to come together, pool their resources, and build and advertise technical schools for mining. Mobile and process maintenance apprenticeships, welding, and line boring, electrical in AC drives and high voltage motors and pumps. High horsepower diesel engine repair for CAT, Cummins, MTU engines. There is one school in Wyoming and one in Elko Nevada and that is not going to cut it for a workforce in an industry that is going to double in the next few years. Our US mining giants needs to build these schools, advertise what their starting wages would look like upon completion, and they will forgo the liberal universities and join the mining world, shortage over!! The time is now. We work for the world’s most essential industry that has probably never been as essential as it is now with the green transition. We now have a once-in-a-generational opportunity to try and make mining attractive to young people. If we can’t do it now, we never will – use the energy transition as a motivator.