Career Exploration

Mining

"The first things that come to mind when you think of the Mining industry may be the fossil fuels used to run our vehicles or the expensive gems we wear as jewelry, but in reality we use mined materials a lot more often than you might think!

The products of the Mining industry are present throughout our daily lives, because they are used as raw materials for an incredibly wide range of activities performed by other industries. Examples include phosphates used to fertilize crops; gravel and stones used to construct buildings and roads; metals used to manufacture electronic components, steel, wiring, and consumer goods; and fossil fuels used to power manufacturing and industrial processes. The industry also produces most of the fuels used to create the energy that powers our vehicles, homes, and businesses.

The Mining industry is divided into industry segments defined by the resources extracted: oil and gas, coal, metal ore (such as gold, silver, iron, copper, lead, and zinc), and nonmetallic minerals (such as stone, gravel, sand, clay, salt, phosphate, and sulfur). Despite the name, the Mining industry covers not only resources that are mined, but also those that are extracted by quarrying or through oil and gas wells.

Industry activities include the operation of mines, oil and gas wells, and quarries, as well as support activities for mining. Establishments may develop mine sites, extract resources, or “beneficiate” the materials mined by separating the mineral from the waste, often by grinding, washing, or separating with magnetic or centrifugal forces. Some establishments are dedicated solely to mining exploration and finding new deposits."  ~Career Cruising database

Career Examples:

Examples of careers in Mining include...

• Demolition Experts
• Explosives Specialists
• Geologists
• Geographic Information Systems Specialists
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Landmen
• Miners
• Mining Engineers
• Oceanographers
• Oil and Gas Well Drillers
• Petroleum Engineers
• Surface Drillers
• Water Well Drillers

Directions: 

• Choose a database or link to find articles on your chosen career
• Remember to cite your sources
• Review the searching tutorials if you need help

Search the databases below for authoritative information on your topic.

Remember: If you are at home, you will need the passwords for each database. All passwords are on the Gold Sheet in the Library Resources Schoology.