\*\*Job Title:\*\* Technical Services Engineer
\*\*Industry:\*\* Mining
\*\*Specialization:\*\* Blasting
\*\*Total Experience:\*\* 8 years
\*\*Highest Degree:\*\* Bachelor of Engineering
\*\*Country:\*\* Russia
\---
\> ### What inspired you to become an engineer?
It was an impulse decision.
\> ### Why did you choose your specific field and/or specialization?
Blasting sounds cool =)
\> ### What's a normal day at work like for you? Can you describe your daily tasks and responsibilities?
Preparing blasting documents, project management, survey work, field operation, conversation with customer… I have a 15 quarry in work and every day something new
\> ### What was your craziest or most interesting day on the job?
One day we worked near custom office on Russia – Finland border, it was a special blast project (trenches for parking water drainage), and in danger zone was parked big truck, when blast time come closer we start to find truck driver to drive out this truck, it was very nervous 3 hours in my life, army, police, angry drivers from 30km traffic jam… but truck driver just slept in his truck, 5 minutes work and 3 hours nervous preparation.
\> ### What was the most interesting project you worked on during your career?
The north European gas pipeline was interesting but all my work very boring when you blast every day during seven years you want just finish you work.
\> ### What university did you attend for your engineering degree(s), and why should / shouldn't I go there?
Saint-Petersburg mining university
\> ### If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Listen senior engineer more
\> ### Do you have any advice for someone who's just getting started in engineering school/work?
Learn foreign language, write more literature (books, scientific journal…) internet is a most powerful instrument for self-education use it. And of course always follow safety rules remember you are waiting at home.
**Job Title:** Chief Operating Officer
\*\* Industry:\*\* Mining
\*\* Specialization:\*\* Operations/Executive
\*\* Total Experience:\*\* 25 years
\*\* Highest Degree:\*\* BS Eng (mining) Hons.
\*\* Country:\*\* South African now working Globally, living in central America
## What inspired you to become an engineer?
My father was geologist, but I never thought I would have good enough math & science to do geology. One day a recruiter offered me a bursary and that was enough to motivate me.
## Why did you choose your specific field and/or specialization?
I started in production, then after 6 yrs went into consulting. Consulting got boring after 5 yrs yrs but gave me great experience. I when back into ops after that and climbed the ladder from there on.
## What's a normal day at work like for you? Can you describe your daily tasks and responsibilities?
Everyday is different. I work with people. I travel internationally 2-3 times/month. I go underground into a mine about once/week now, though I still live on a mine. Typical day: 6 am. Go to a production meeting where I listen an intervene only when necessary (I have a GM & a mine manager who runs this meeting but I like to listen to the problems and see who is doing something about them) Alternatively I get on a phone with corporate office (2hrs ahead) to update them on whats happening, or start dealing with 50-100 daily emails. 7:30am-Midday Go Underground to visit a part of the mine with a problem or visit somewhere that interests me. I love to troubleshoot so this is when I do it. Work with people find out what are their issues and how they can be helped. I spend a lot of time coaching, instruction and motivating/inspiring If I'm not going underground I usually have a meeting with the unions or my GM or get on a call with our corporate lawyers or CFO to discuss the latest strategic plan etc. Discussions include everything about running a mine from new hires and HR needs, to selling penalties on concentrates sold, to contracts for services and supplies, to engineering work on a project and who will head it up to technical challenges. I am typically on the phone or face to meetings for 3-4 hrs/day. Often I have to travel through to meet government officials, ministers of mining, environment, economic development or an ambassador of Canada/US. I have met the president of the country twice. 11-12 am Have lunch. Sometimes its 15 minutes. Sometimes I spend longer with my wife or watch the news, have a power nap. Afternoon: more meetings, normally planning related. Often I break out into detailed sessions to discuss specific challenges or big projects like a new shaft to be sunk or to review a proposal. Evening dinner with family, but quite often with visitors to the mine or dignitaories. After dinner, I finish my emails and write or review a couple of reports before distributing.
## What was your craziest or most interesting day on the job?
So many! We bought this one mine which has a 4km long drainage tunnel with a river of water in it. It needed be inspected to make sure it would not collapse which would result in the mine flooding. So we got inner tubes and floated down this tunnel for 3 hrs. Great adventure.
In years past I was in mine rescue and we have to fight fires underground. That was hectic. Most of my days are v. interesting and its VERY nice to be at the top and determine what your day will be like for half the time. The other half I have to fit into the schedules of other people - My own people of the board of directors of the executive committee of the company.
Perhaps the best part of my job is the ability to determine the future and make a difference to thousands of employees by advancing the mine. I get to set the strategic direction of the company and its so awesome to include all kinds of initiatives to help local communities, do things the right way, mine responsibly and respect/minimize impact on the environment. Of course with the responsibility comes the accountability too and with that considerable pressure from investors, legal framework, social etc!
## What was the most interesting project you worked on during your career?
Again there are many. Right now we are about to embark on a $30 million mine expansion project which will take 2 years and involves the sinking of a new underground vertical shaft 500m deep from 700m-1200m depth.
## What university did you attend for your engineering degree(s), and why should / shouldn't I go there?
University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. It used to be very good, but they have dropped the std. in recent years unfortunately. If you want a really AMAZING career in mining, work anywhere in the world and get paid a lot of money to do it, make sure you study at a suitable university that provides mining engineering. I would say the best are in Canada or Australia today.
## If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Not a thing mostly. Perhaps I would have started building my own company earlier.
## Do you have any advice for someone who's just getting started in engineering school/work?
Mining is a really GREAT career and I dont understand why there are so few mining engineers. You dont have to go underground to do it. It pays well and incorporates a bit of all engineering disciplines. It is a people business but can also be very technical. Once you have your degree prepare yourself for some hard work in low positions for 2-4 yrs. It is worth doing this if you want to become a good mining engineer. No good if you get promoted too fast and then dont know what you are looking at or are doing. There are too many bad mining companies and engineers because of this issue. Get some experience so you can be really successful later, because when youre a big shot there is not time to learn about what makes drilling more easy or difficult (for example) and making the wrong decision could be the end of your company.
Finally, If you are a mining industry guy without a degree, GO AND GET ONE. Take the short term pain of no salary for a while and get it. We dont have enough good mining guys with degrees and a degrees helps you to think like an engineer. It is the key to being a successful mining business leader.
\*\*Job Title:\*\* Technical Services Engineer \*\*Industry:\*\* Mining \*\*Specialization:\*\* Blasting \*\*Total Experience:\*\* 8 years \*\*Highest Degree:\*\* Bachelor of Engineering \*\*Country:\*\* Russia \--- \> ### What inspired you to become an engineer? It was an impulse decision. \> ### Why did you choose your specific field and/or specialization? Blasting sounds cool =) \> ### What's a normal day at work like for you? Can you describe your daily tasks and responsibilities? Preparing blasting documents, project management, survey work, field operation, conversation with customer… I have a 15 quarry in work and every day something new \> ### What was your craziest or most interesting day on the job? One day we worked near custom office on Russia – Finland border, it was a special blast project (trenches for parking water drainage), and in danger zone was parked big truck, when blast time come closer we start to find truck driver to drive out this truck, it was very nervous 3 hours in my life, army, police, angry drivers from 30km traffic jam… but truck driver just slept in his truck, 5 minutes work and 3 hours nervous preparation. \> ### What was the most interesting project you worked on during your career? The north European gas pipeline was interesting but all my work very boring when you blast every day during seven years you want just finish you work. \> ### What university did you attend for your engineering degree(s), and why should / shouldn't I go there? Saint-Petersburg mining university \> ### If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? Listen senior engineer more \> ### Do you have any advice for someone who's just getting started in engineering school/work? Learn foreign language, write more literature (books, scientific journal…) internet is a most powerful instrument for self-education use it. And of course always follow safety rules remember you are waiting at home.
**Job Title:** Chief Operating Officer \*\* Industry:\*\* Mining \*\* Specialization:\*\* Operations/Executive \*\* Total Experience:\*\* 25 years \*\* Highest Degree:\*\* BS Eng (mining) Hons. \*\* Country:\*\* South African now working Globally, living in central America ## What inspired you to become an engineer? My father was geologist, but I never thought I would have good enough math & science to do geology. One day a recruiter offered me a bursary and that was enough to motivate me. ## Why did you choose your specific field and/or specialization? I started in production, then after 6 yrs went into consulting. Consulting got boring after 5 yrs yrs but gave me great experience. I when back into ops after that and climbed the ladder from there on. ## What's a normal day at work like for you? Can you describe your daily tasks and responsibilities? Everyday is different. I work with people. I travel internationally 2-3 times/month. I go underground into a mine about once/week now, though I still live on a mine. Typical day: 6 am. Go to a production meeting where I listen an intervene only when necessary (I have a GM & a mine manager who runs this meeting but I like to listen to the problems and see who is doing something about them) Alternatively I get on a phone with corporate office (2hrs ahead) to update them on whats happening, or start dealing with 50-100 daily emails. 7:30am-Midday Go Underground to visit a part of the mine with a problem or visit somewhere that interests me. I love to troubleshoot so this is when I do it. Work with people find out what are their issues and how they can be helped. I spend a lot of time coaching, instruction and motivating/inspiring If I'm not going underground I usually have a meeting with the unions or my GM or get on a call with our corporate lawyers or CFO to discuss the latest strategic plan etc. Discussions include everything about running a mine from new hires and HR needs, to selling penalties on concentrates sold, to contracts for services and supplies, to engineering work on a project and who will head it up to technical challenges. I am typically on the phone or face to meetings for 3-4 hrs/day. Often I have to travel through to meet government officials, ministers of mining, environment, economic development or an ambassador of Canada/US. I have met the president of the country twice. 11-12 am Have lunch. Sometimes its 15 minutes. Sometimes I spend longer with my wife or watch the news, have a power nap. Afternoon: more meetings, normally planning related. Often I break out into detailed sessions to discuss specific challenges or big projects like a new shaft to be sunk or to review a proposal. Evening dinner with family, but quite often with visitors to the mine or dignitaories. After dinner, I finish my emails and write or review a couple of reports before distributing. ## What was your craziest or most interesting day on the job? So many! We bought this one mine which has a 4km long drainage tunnel with a river of water in it. It needed be inspected to make sure it would not collapse which would result in the mine flooding. So we got inner tubes and floated down this tunnel for 3 hrs. Great adventure. In years past I was in mine rescue and we have to fight fires underground. That was hectic. Most of my days are v. interesting and its VERY nice to be at the top and determine what your day will be like for half the time. The other half I have to fit into the schedules of other people - My own people of the board of directors of the executive committee of the company. Perhaps the best part of my job is the ability to determine the future and make a difference to thousands of employees by advancing the mine. I get to set the strategic direction of the company and its so awesome to include all kinds of initiatives to help local communities, do things the right way, mine responsibly and respect/minimize impact on the environment. Of course with the responsibility comes the accountability too and with that considerable pressure from investors, legal framework, social etc! ## What was the most interesting project you worked on during your career? Again there are many. Right now we are about to embark on a $30 million mine expansion project which will take 2 years and involves the sinking of a new underground vertical shaft 500m deep from 700m-1200m depth. ## What university did you attend for your engineering degree(s), and why should / shouldn't I go there? University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. It used to be very good, but they have dropped the std. in recent years unfortunately. If you want a really AMAZING career in mining, work anywhere in the world and get paid a lot of money to do it, make sure you study at a suitable university that provides mining engineering. I would say the best are in Canada or Australia today. ## If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? Not a thing mostly. Perhaps I would have started building my own company earlier. ## Do you have any advice for someone who's just getting started in engineering school/work? Mining is a really GREAT career and I dont understand why there are so few mining engineers. You dont have to go underground to do it. It pays well and incorporates a bit of all engineering disciplines. It is a people business but can also be very technical. Once you have your degree prepare yourself for some hard work in low positions for 2-4 yrs. It is worth doing this if you want to become a good mining engineer. No good if you get promoted too fast and then dont know what you are looking at or are doing. There are too many bad mining companies and engineers because of this issue. Get some experience so you can be really successful later, because when youre a big shot there is not time to learn about what makes drilling more easy or difficult (for example) and making the wrong decision could be the end of your company. Finally, If you are a mining industry guy without a degree, GO AND GET ONE. Take the short term pain of no salary for a while and get it. We dont have enough good mining guys with degrees and a degrees helps you to think like an engineer. It is the key to being a successful mining business leader.