What this life looks like
You extract the minerals that build the modern world. Mining Engineers design and manage the operations that bring gold, copper, iron ore, cobalt, lithium, and hundreds of other minerals out of the Earth safely, efficiently, and responsibly. Africa's extraordinary mineral wealth makes this one of the continent's most consequential and best-compensated engineering careers.
What she actually does
You design mine layouts and extraction sequences, assess ore grades and reserve estimates, oversee blasting and excavation operations, manage mine safety systems, plan mineral processing, manage environmental rehabilitation, supervise teams of mine workers and contractors, and ensure compliance with mining regulations and environmental standards.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Major Mining Companies | AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Barrick Africa, Sibanye-Stillwater, De Beers |
| Diversified Mining | Anglo American, Glencore Africa, Rio Tinto Africa — copper, platinum, coal, diamonds |
| Junior Mining Companies | Smaller exploration and development companies across the African mining belt |
| Mining Consulting | SRK Consulting, DRA Global, Epoch Resources — technical services to mines across Africa |
Why it matters in Africa
Africa holds an estimated 30% of the world's mineral reserves. South Africa produces platinum, Zimbabwe holds major diamond and lithium reserves, the DRC has over 60% of the world's cobalt, and West Africa is a top gold-producing region. The global clean energy transition is increasing demand for African minerals, creating sustained demand for mining engineers.
Your pathway in
- Excel in Mathematics and Physics at school
- Study Mining Engineering, Mineral Resources Engineering, or a related engineering field at university
- Complete mandatory industrial attachments at mining operations during your degree
- Register with your national engineering body and obtain a blasting certificate
- Develop expertise in mine planning software such as Surpac, Vulcan, or Datamine
Skills you will need
- Mine planning and design software
- Geology and ore estimation
- Mine safety and risk management
- Explosives and blasting
- Environmental rehabilitation
- Team leadership
A woman in this field
Nompumelelo "Mpumi" Zikalala
South Africa
Mpumi is a powerhouse in the global mining sector and the current CEO of Kumba Iron Ore, a subsidiary of Anglo American. A chemical engineer by training, she has broken several "glass ceilings" in one of the world's most demanding industries. She began her career as a Process Engineer at De Beers in 2001. She rose through the ranks to become the first female General Manager of the Voorspoed diamond mine and later the Managing Director of De Beers Group Managed Operations.
Take your first step
- Study Mathematics and Physics as your top priorities at school
- Research mining engineering programmes at universities in South Africa, Ghana, Zambia, or Zimbabwe
- Visit a mine — even a small-scale or artisanal operation — to observe the engineering challenges
- Follow the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy at saimm.co.za