Quarry engineer
Assess a site and safely set up and run a mine or quarry. Restore the land when it closes.
Also known as: mining engineer
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£538
Entry level
£1,000
Experienced
Monthly
£2,333
Entry level
£4,333
Experienced
Yearly
£28,000
Entry level
£52,000
Experienced
9,500
people are currently employed
High growth
200 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would help to decide if a site is suitable for a mine or quarry and safely set up and run the operations.
You would find the best way to extract raw materials from the ground. You’d also plan how to restore a site that has come to the end of its commercial life to a condition that fits in with the surrounding environment.
You could also work in the processing plants that refine raw materials such as china clay, slate and stone (known as aggregates) for use in industries like construction.
Working with minerals surveyors, you’d explore a new site to see if it has the potential to be a commercially viable operation.
You would:
Chart the geological make-up of a site using ground-surveying techniques
Drill earth and rock samples for lab testing
Build up computer models of a site and its deposits
Advise clients about how to proceed
If mining goes ahead, you’d decide whether to use blasting, drilling or excavation methods to extract the raw materials from the ground.
You would then:
Manage the day-to-day running of operations on the site
Oversee technical staff
Report on progress
Monitor health and safety
Make plans to prevent and deal with emergencies like a tunnel collapse or flooding
It is becoming more common to also assess the impact that a quarry or mine has on its surrounding environment. You might be responsible for making sure the site can be restored as closely as possible to its original state when the quarry or mine closes.
You’d need to have a clear understanding of health and safety issues. It would also be important to have a good knowledge of rocks and minerals and to keep up to date with new developments in the industry.
Hours
Environment
Travel
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Engineering and manufacturing
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- problem solving
- working with numbers
- cooperating
- verbal communication
- analysing
- understanding
- developing a plan
- time management
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Chemistry
Design and Manufacture
Engineering Science
Environmental Science
Geography
Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering
Foundation Apprenticeship: Automotive
Foundation Apprenticeship: Construction
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
The normal entry route is to complete an Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or degree (SCQF level 9/10) in areas like:
Minerals engineering
Mining engineering
Geophysics
Geology
Earth sciences
Civil engineering
You can enter a relevant science or engineering Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
To enter a degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers at ABBB or above or a relevant HNC/HND.
Qualifications and experience that demonstrate an understanding of the industry, practical and technical skills such as:
Skills for Work Construction Engineering (SCQF level 3)
Engineering Skills (SCQF level 5)
A college or university qualification in practical science or engineering subjects
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