CAREERS
withSTEM JOB KIT ™
Mining
Engineer Extract the minerals that will power our renewable future
UNSW Engineering
Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering
CRICOS Provider Code 00098G
FOREWORD Ismet Canabulet essor Head of School, Prof ls and UNSW School of Minera eering gin Energy Resources En
Find out more here or scan:
e r u t u f e h t Fueling r sustainable future Mining engineering powers ou
IMAGE: ANNA KUCERA
A
sk someone in the street about mining, and they might picture someone with a pick, digging for coal. But modern mining engineering is a cutting-edge career, critical for Australia’s sustainable future. There is a huge and growing demand for critical minerals to build the solar panels, wind turbines and batteries that will power the world into the future. To fuel that demand, we need to engage in more selective mining, with much less waste, much faster, and much more productively. And mining engineers will drive that change. Engineers need to be able to plan, design, create, innovate and manage rapidly changing technologies, including big data and data analytics, artificial intelligence, robotics and automation. They need to be logical thinkers with strong reasoning skills and an understanding of sustainable mining practices. Engineers also need to be able to work within multidisciplinary teams. They will work closely with mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and mine workers and lead development of new technologies. From satellite monitoring, drone scanning, seismic and optic fibre data and Internet of Things networks, there’s far too much information to comprehend.
Bachelor of Science (Mining Engineering), Istanbul Technical University Research Area Manager, CSIR Miningtek
UNSW Bachelor of Engin eering (Honours) (Mining ) students develop AI and machine learning tools an d products to harness this information, and have acc ess to virtual reality studios and 3D holographic tables to bring the data to life. Mining engineering is no t confined to Australia. The skills you gain can fin d you jobs all around the world, or even in space! UNSW already collabora tes with NASA to explore the potential of mining water on the Moon. Mining engineering offers an exciting, intellectually stimulatin g career in engineering, brimming with opportun ities and challenges, and providing rewarding pat hways and job security. If you like these, then minin g engineering is for you. Professor Ismet Canabu let Head of School, Mineral s and Energy Resources Engineering, UNSW
The skills you gain ca n find you jobs all arou nd th e world, or even in spac e!” Master of Science, Mining (Rock) Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand
Principal Engineer, Strata Engineering Australia
PhD, Mining (Rock) Engineering, University of Pretoria
Professor and Head of School, MineralS and Energy Resources Engineering, UNSW
Check out CareerswithSTEM.com for more insights, information, inspiration and advice about careers in mining engineering! 3
MINING ENGINEER
DEEP DIVE
Tunnel vision ering? What is mining engine- the re’s
rd hats Forget coa l, dust, and ha gigs than digging g nin more to next-gen mi sector is full of up dir t. Today’s resource ds using drones, high-tech engineering gra intelligence and 3D modelling, artificial d smarter, cleaner self-driving trucks to fin t. And nope, they ways to power the plane ground. don’t spend all day under eers work gin en These days, mining s – from data ert exp of with a diverse team to environmental scientists and geologists ms – across highspecia lists and safety tea digita l control tech labs, mine sites and
Toolkit 2.0 Drones and UAVs
Used for aerial surveys, mapping terrain, and monitoring mine sites remotely.
3D Modelling and simulation software
Tools like Vulcan, Surpac or Leapfrog help engineers visualise underground ore bodies, model mine designs and test how land will respond to excavation.
Automation and robotics
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From driverless haul trucks to automated drilling rigs, mining engineers design and manage systems that keep people out of dangerous zones and boost productivity.
GPS and remote sensing tech
Satellite systems and remote sensors help track movement in the earth, measure environmental impact and keep operations safe and sustainable.
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Mining engineers are leading the clean energy revolution
centres. Whether they’r e designing fut ureready mines or simulatin g how the ground will move decades from now, these techsav vy thinkers are the bra ins (and still the hard hats) pushing the clean energ y revolution for ward. And up there with one of their most important missions? He lping Australia (and the world) move toward s net-zero carbon emissions. That means navigating how to safely mine critical mi nerals – think lithium, cobalt and rare ear ths – that power renewable technologies like solar panels, wind turbines and electr ic cars.
Where will you work? Graduate from UNSW’s Bache lor of Engineering (Honours) in Mining and you’ll have the ski lls to land a variety of mining gig s:
• Mining engineer • Drill and blast engineer •M ine planning engineer • Production engineer • Ventilation engineer •G eotechnical engineer • Surveyor
oney Show me the m u will earn
•C onsulting engineer • Financial and management consultant • Tunneling engineer 4
eer, yo As a mi nin g en gin ng En gineers top ini the top salar y – “M te salar y ra nk ings the nation’s gradua eir fifth year, at $152,000 in th l ons such as genera su rpassin g professi 0), ,00 95 ($ law 0), medicine ($151,00 0) and econom ics ($93,00 mmerce ma nagement and co ” ($87,000). , En gineers Au stralia November 2025.
School of rock Like most STEM pathways, mining engineering careers start with a passion for problem-solving, a love of innovating and a drive to make a difference. A Bachelor of Mining Engineering (Honours) is an excellent way to skill up in a range of areas, including rock mechanics, geoscience, automation, and sustainability.
Simply the best
And if you’re keen to really dig into your CV? Putting your hand up for field trips, internships, networking opportunities and industry placements can boost your chances of securing a grad gig in your final year.
UNSW ra nks as th e best mi neral and mi nin g school in Australia, and second in the wo rld, accord ing to QS World Subj ect Rank ings 2025. At UNSW, you’ll get ha ndson ex perience and access to global research, industry placements and cutti ng-ed ge fac ilities.
Mining myths, busted “It’s all about coal.”
Why choose mining engineering?
Good job
Solving problems is your thing
You rate cuttingedge tech
The idea of working all over Australia (and the world) excites you
If you’re stressed ab out landin g a role, don’t be. With huge govern
ment and industry invest m en t in Australia’s critical m in er als sector, employment op portu nities are on the up – betw een now and 2030, the Australi an mi nin g and energ y industry ar e ex pected to generate arou nd 22 ,279 new jobs.
You’re passionate about tackling climate change and are keen to make an impact
Nope! Australia’s biggest opportunities now lie in critical minerals, such as lithium and rare earths, which are essential for clean energy and advanced technologies.
“It’s dirty and dangerous.”
No, modern mining uses autonomous vehicles, drones, sensors, and AI to reduce risk and environmental impact. It’s as much about data and tech as digging.
“You’ll be stuck underground.”
Not true. Mining jobs are everywhere – on-site, in offices, labs and even remote operation centres in cities. You can design mine layouts, run simulations or optimise safety systems without stepping foot underground.
Scholarships to watch • UNSW Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering Scholarship • UNSW Women in Engineering Scholarship • UNSW Engineering Rural Scholarship Find out more at scholarships.unsw.edu.au or scan 5
MINING ENGINEER
REAL PEOPLE Thomas Aquilina Mining engineering student
ng (Honours) Bachelor of Engineeri -op), UNSW (Co ng eri Mining Engine
WORDS: CASSIE STEEL | IMAGES: SUPPLIED
Vacation Engineer,any Bengalla Mining Comp
Gr aduate, AIC Mines
Mining more than minerals
y future-proof pathwa a lf se him g rin ee gin as Aquilina is en UNSW undergrad Thom assignment has been the fourth year Feasibility and Design Project – where we are essentially tasked with designing a mine from scratch,” he says. “It’s where many students discover the roles they’d like to tackle in the future, and for me, it was drill and blast engineering.”
I
ng, Aquilina was career dreami n high school when Thomas cut it. to g goin desk job was never one thing was for cer tain: a was I t “Bu s. in STEM,” he say “I was keen to do something didn’t like the idea of being and rs doo out infatuated with the stuck in an office.” (a ver sation with his grandad After a pathway-changing con ), WA in es min on ked wor who had retired electrical engineer the n on STEM opportunities in dow ling dril rted sta Thomas ineer eng of blowing stuff up as an resource sector. “The idea our er [Aft “ ing to me,” he admits. was – and still is – fascinat .” ring on mining enginee chat] I ver y quickly set tled
Ground-breaking experience Thriving in the practical nature of the degree, Thomas rates UNSW’s real-world approach and the fact that many of his lecturers have an on-site background grounded in field work. He’s been able to start creating industry connections, while developing practical, job-specific skills (from mining and geotechnical engineering to finance and project management), which has already led to an 11-month stint as a vacation engineer at Bengalla Mining Company and an upcoming graduate gig at strategic materials producer AIC Mines. And what advice does he have for those considering similar pathways? “Get involved early and don’t be afraid to reach out to lecturers and industry representatives,” he says. “It’s an industry where your work becomes reality quickly. Seeing that impact is seriously rewarding.”
Uncovering opportunity
mas is assignments later, and Tho Fast forward a few years and W. UNS at ring inee Eng ing r of Min in his final year of a Bachelo the n eve and es niti ortu opp From site visits to net working ), he’s ional Mining Games (twice! Nat the in e pet com to nce cha of ng e on campus with a stri been able to pepper his tim es. niti extra-curricular opportu coursework, that covers the with l And the same dea lysis 3D modelling to stabilit y ana industry-specific skills – from ) ging llen cha d (an fun st n. “The mo and scheduling optimisatio
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Your work be reality quickly” comes 6
Digging Deep
UNSW graduate Taylah Komacha found her dream job underground
T
g go way back. aylah Komacha and minin ner grew up The third-generation mi underground, around the buzz of going a career in the which made kickstarting ainer. resource industry a no-br ence in mining “A fter doing work experi perfect fit for the engineering, it felt like problem-solver. “I n bor me,” says the naturalts from about Year 9.” focused on STEM subjec enrolled in a After high school, Taylah eering program at Bachelor of Mining Engin advantage of rea l-world UNSW, where she took classroom. “I even opportunities outside the ls at NSW Mining ne ended up speaking on pa s. “It was a great way careers dinners,” she say siona ls.” to meet industry profes l mine in NSW, Taylah coa a Now working at e’s currently focused is hands-on every day. Sh a new role, where her on learning the ropes in orating on mine plans, to-do list includes collab erations teams and working closely with op und to understand spending time undergro processes firsthand. abe mining And her advice to wann rious. Every role, cu be , en engineers? “Be op is a chance to learn challenge, or conversation ry.” and grow in this indust
Taylah Komacha Mining engineer Delta Coal
Day in the Life 7am
Arrive on-site and go through procedure, training and induction documents. “I’ve just started a new role and am learning the ropes!”
I really enjoyed the problems I got to work on, they were challenging and cool.”
8am
WORDS: CASSIE STEEL | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK
Head underground to shadow staff and operations, looking mostly at ventilation and geological mapping.
12pm
Eat lunch and tackle my to-do list
Bachelor of Mining Engineering (Honours), UNSW
Cadet mining engineer, Yancoal Australia
Mining engineer, Yancoal Australia
1pm
Team meeting to brief everyone on the week or nex t day’s tasks. “This ensures we’re all up-to-date with the latest information on safety and productivity.”
2pm
Continue to review site-specific procedures, operations and sof tware.”I’m still trying to familiarise myself with the way of doing things in this new site!”
3pm
Finish any urgent tasks and organise notes for the following day. “I love heading into the office in the morning feeling organised.”
Graduate mining engineer, Yancoal Australia
Mining engineer, Delta Coal
7
MINING ENGINEER
Get the job!
Watch Rare Earth Mining (YouTube)
Get the dirt on next-gen mining careers
Rare earths are the secret sau ce behind phones, laptops and wind turbines – and right now, Chin a digs up almost all of them. But scie ntists worldwide are on a mission to find cleaner, greener and even sma rter ways to source or replace the se super-materials of the future.
Gold Rush (Discovery Channe l)
Par t oh-so-bad it’s good rea lity show, par t doco, this series follows modern-day miners on their quest to dig for riches.
Aaron Witt (YouTube)
Follow
lia @mineralscouncilofaustra (Instagram) get Career stalk recent grads to n t-ge a glimpse into local nex mining opportunities.
@theminingmum (TikTok)
but not Run by a woman in mining – – Tegan d use -foc strictly engineering urce reso the in y champions diversit k wor field of mix a ts sector and pos for ice adv and career STEM-loving undergrads.
@fifotok (TikTok)
Fun, short clips following real-deal fly-in-fly-out Aussie mining employees. Good for a late night scroll.
Listen
Who doesn’t love videos of giga ntic machines digging monumenta l hole
s?
UNSW’s Engineering The Future
From AI leaders to resource ts with technologists, listen in on cha ring Australia’s biggest enginee one brains. Our favourite ep? The et Ism or fess Pro featuring UNSW the es uss disc Canbulat who move to importance of mining as we re. futu r a greene
Engineering Heroes
ia, Hosted by Engineers Austral in king wor sies Aus ng meet you five, son sea to Skip . ring inee eng deep episode 10 for an insight ful dive on mining gigs.
Get Involved • I nterested in connecting with other keen mining engineers? Hit up AusIMM for scholarship info, events, local meet-ups and mentorship opportunities. • L ike your meals with a side of career advice? Book a table at a Mining NSW Mining Career Dinner.
Peter chats with some of the s, top minds in mining to talk new ing igat innovation, and nav a career in mining.
Play Minecraft
e Building, planning and resourc mini a ly management – it’s basical or. ulat sim mining and engineering
Deep Rock Galactic
oter A team-based first-person sho drill ers) min ce where players (as spa Not ets. plan n for resources on alie and exactly realistic, but super fun c. tegi stra surprisingly
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Refraction Media acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. This edition was published on 14 January 2026.
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