Mining sector: which top management positions are in demand ?

The mining sector currently contributes 10% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 15 resource-rich countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

While much of the sector's investment was previously concentrated in the traditional mining powers (South Africa, DRC, Zimbabwe, etc.), West Africa's mining industry is now growing rapidly due to the size of its untapped reserves and the improvement of its business climate and infrastructure.

As a result, West Africa is the second largest gold producer after China, despite receiving less than 10% of global exploration budgets, and countries in the region have increased their mineral exports by more than 20% in 2019. This largely untapped mineral wealth has immense potential. As a result, the place of West African countries in the global mineral economy is expected to continue to grow in the future.

This growth has led to an increased demand for specialized experts and the creation of many well-paid jobs. A skilled workforce is all the more critical because of the severe skills shortage, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

From mining companies to exploration companies to suppliers and service providers: the entire ecosystem is currently looking for experts and specialists. Here's a look at the most in-demand positions in the region.

Project Manager 

Project managers and the drilling operations managers are two of the most critical positions in a mining project. Mine managers control, direct, plan and coordinate mine production activities. They provide strategic direction to a mining project at various stages, from design and feasibility studies to construction and operation. Drilling Operations Managers are responsible for the overall planning, direction and execution of drilling operations for a mining organization.

Chief engineers

Engineers in the mining sector have a variety of backgrounds: mining, civil, mechanical, electrical, process, etc. The role of chief engineers and their teams is to design mines and mining equipment, using complex engineering principles, calculations and theories to find the most efficient and cost-effective ways to deliver what the customer needs. They are constantly trying to improve the efficiency of the equipment and extraction processes used in the mines.

Geologists

The geologist plays a crucial role in any mining operation. Mines employ two categories of geologists: mining geologists, who ensure that mining is done in the right places, and exploration geologists, who are responsible for resource discovery and evaluation. Exploration geologists may conduct geoscientific surveys and subsurface exploration programs to characterize and evaluate geological formations or mineral deposits. When working at a mine start-up, they are at the heart of planning the development of mineral deposits, designing the mining facilities and bringing them into production.

Geophysicists

Geophysicists, who study the physical structure and composition of the earth, are among the most important experts in the mining industry. They are involved in every stage of exploration, from strategic reconnaissance to tactical prospecting, and even during the production and development phase of deposits. If geologists work in a long-term perspective, their activity will be more related to the search for new reserves, most often for an operation that is still in operation and that has let its reserves run out for too long without renewal.

Land surveyor

Surveyors who measure underground and surface mines help mining organizations maintain an adequate mine plan by updating surface plans and keeping a record of underground workings.  Surveyors plan, organize and direct the execution of legal surveys to establish the location of property boundaries, contours and other natural or man-made features, and prepare and maintain sectional views, official plans, records and documents related to these surveys.

Occupational health, safety, and environment professionals

Health and Safety Advisors play a critical role in the safety of workers in a mining operation. They ensure that facilities and working conditions are compliant by monitoring compliance with health and safety regulations at all facilities within a mining company. Reducing the risk of accidents and occupational diseases is one of their top priorities. To do this, they conduct inspections and ensure that procedures, such as lockout and the use of hazardous materials, are followed at all times. When incidents occur, they conduct field checks, write reports and manage corrective actions.