This posting was written some time ago. It has proven popular. Google likes to list it. Below is the original posting. The following few paragraphs are new, inserted in November 2011.
If you have landed at this post, you are probably seeking a job in mining in Colorado or in California. That is a tough call these days. To check out current job listings go to CareerMine at InfoMine. (By way of full disclosure, we share offices and they help me with IT–I could not manage a computer if I tired.)
In California, US Borax is still mining. And so is that group on the road to Las Vegas where they are pulling rare earth minerals out of the ground. For the rest it is quarries to get the sand and gravel to make concrete to build more structures and repair those that are falling down.
Maybe you can get a mining-related job cleaning up one of the many old mines in California that are now abandoned by their original owners and now belong to oil companies who, through Superfund, are forced to spend millions each year cleaning up past messes. That produced lots of work for folk like you and me. And it adds but a tiny bit of a cent to the price of gas at the pump to pay for it. Might as well get on the band-wagon while it is rolling.
The situation in Colorado is brighter. Denver is still a place where mining companies operate to develop mines in far-flung places. Not many new mines in Colorado though. All the result of tree-huggers, tax-grabers, and a string of horribly-run mines that have left behind a legacy of pollution. There are many consultants in Denver who are desperate for qualified folk who know mining. But be prepared to be sent to Romania, Ghana, Russia, and other diverse nasty places to do real work.
If you do not like travel to unsafe places, the Denver consulting world is not for you. But if you are young and seek adventure and the chance to die young, get on board, for they need you badly and will pay well.
If you have few skills and seek to labor and manage equipment, you are probably out of luck in Denver and Colorado mining. Sure they have lots of old mines that need to be cleaned up. But there are few mines where muscle is needed. To exercise physical power earning money on a mine, you need to go north to Fort McMurray or south to Chile, or around the globe to Australia. Go to those place unbeset by Tea Party oldies who do not like change and Take Over Wall Street folk who do not like anything except drugs, death, and squalor.
I have been brutally honest on the basis of pessimistic personal observation so far. But keep in mind that I am only a blogger and thus can be wrong. Read the original posting below. Look at the mining job posting sites like CareerMine, and ask around.
If you find I am wrong, please let me know so that we can tell the good news to others like you who are seeking employment while the politicians dither and obstruct.
Original Posting
There are still good jobs going begging in the mining industry. The best place to find them is at CareerMine. Seems that in spite of no dividend, Freeport-McMoran is looking for a Mill Superintendent and a Superintendent Mine at the Climax Mine site between Silverthorne and Leadville, Colorado. Coal mining is still booming in the jobs world. Cliffs in Cleveland, Ohio is looking to employ a slew of procurement folk.
To maintain this euphoria that there are still jobs in the mining industry, I do something I normally do not do. That is to tell you about two great mining-jobs brought to my attention this morning by a headhunter. My reason for so doing is primarily to help two people in mining whose jobs may be on the line.
Jeff Kremple of the Kremple Consulting Group at jkremple@sbcglobal.net forwarded me these two jobs he is seeking to fill for a client:
- Senior Mining Engineer to take responsibility for consulting activities associated with mine design, long-term mine planning, economic evaluation, and project construction management. You will need a bachelor’s degree for this one.
- Senior Resource Geologist to take responsibility for geological characterization, long-term planning, economic evaluation, and management of major mine design projects. You will need a degree in geology for this one.
The pool of people eligible is probably small. But still there are jobs if you care to work in Ohio, Colorado, or Northern California. Not bad places to live and do mining work. Contact him directly if you are interested, or can help a fellow miner keep bread on the table.
Hey just a quick question – Im an experienced mineral exploration geologist and have just completed a masters in exploration geochemistry. Im an Irish citizen but would love to work in the US – you know how I could do this, are there any companies which sponsor visas? Be really grateful for any help.
Dave
Hi, I m a mining engineer with experience in the mining profession. Possess a degree in mining engeering and have worked with modula intellimine software as a pit controller dispatcher for the two years now. I m a ghanaian but currently working as a modula dispatcher in zambia.
I hope to join a competitive and growing mining company with my experience and where there is the room to train young mining engineers. Im 26 years of age.
What about a latino geologist. I have more than 10 years in exploration, QAQC, data analisis, resource modelling and evaluation (Datamine, Gemcom, ArcGIS). I´d love to work in the states. What are my chances?
Hi i was just layed off by empire south west and looking for a new job. if you can help please let me know.
I’m a peruvian geologist with experience in the mining industry, basically logging (RC and DDH), sampling, mapping,etc. I’m a permanent resident in USA. If somebody knows about some opportunities please let me know.
Thanks
Dears Friends, I had the oportunity to start up gold mining project, with crushers ball mills, lixiviation, Counter current decantation thikners and merryll crowe procesing, really was a great experience I was working on this project for 7.8 years and two more years at electrowinning cooper proces, just I have been looking for a better oportunity job, if somebody knows about some job, i will give you thanks,
good days on this new year and thanks.
Hello David,
It may be a bit too late, but if you are still looking for work, please send me your resume and I will let you know if we have any opportunities. I am a recruiter working for a gold mining company.
Thank you,
Ronald Hollins
HR Advantages
ronald@miningjobs4u.com
i just moved to colorado and have no colleage education im just looking for a job near grandjunction do you have any advice on where i should start looking
I would like to get into the field of mining. Could I get a job as a walk-in or do I have to have schooling for the field. If schooling isn’t required, could you tell me of any mining companies based in south central colorado.
I am from fruita CO. And have been laid off fom a drilling rig .And I am getting my MSHA certificate and needing to know
what should be my next step. To land a job in the mining field please help.
i am trying to get started in mining but every one wants experence. do you kinow were to start. i am in grand junction co.
Hi Chris,
It’s really hard to land a job in the coal mines, but don’t stop being persistent in your search for employment. I use to work in a coal mine close to you in Plaisade, called the “Road Side Mine”. I think it is still operating, I’m not sure because I live in Portland Oregon now and haven’t been back there in 30 years.
You might also look up around Peonia Colo with Colorado Westmoreland Coal company, or at Somerset up the road a little farther. I worked in three of these mines for 7 years.
Good Luck with your search.
Marlin
MSHA certified electrician with current 5000-23 looking for work with an electrical contractor. I also have 25 years experience welding & fabrication wich is pretty much needed on any mining job. I have tools and good transportation. Im looking to travel. I do not do drugs . I dont miss work. I have a family to support and i do not play games. I live in Morgantown,WV and will travel. Scammers need not try to waste my time as i will not send my certification cards or my id through email. If you have work at coal mines or plants then please contact me at wv_transplant@yahoo.com. I check email often daily. Thanks and have a great day
Hello Nathan,
I know of a Fixed/Electrical Forman role with a gold mine. They are looking for someone who has experience supervising electrical and maintenace work in a mining environment.
If you are interested, let me know.
Ronald Hollins
HR Advantages
ronald@miningjobs4u.com
I am an exfellon off parole in California looking for a company to let me have a chance to be a proud American working man again. I will prove my mettle if given the chance. Will relocate .Have some training in macheen shop and own some tools. Have general maintence experience and clean driving record. I suffered an injury at my last job and with living in LA and the economy the way it is I have really put a hurt on manufacturing . I want a career not just another job.
I’ve been trying everything to get connected with the resources i need to find a coal mining job. I just recently completed my MSHA certification and i just need to be turned in the right direction to complete my search in finding a mining job somewhere in the state of Colorado or other states as i am willing to relocate if necessary.
Please contact me regarding a Principal Mining Hydrogeologist position in Vancouver, British Columbia – $150k base + bonus – global industry leader. Executive career path-full relocation. This is an exclusive, retained search.
George Armes
(o) 724-348-8770
(c) 724-466-0220
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/georgearmes
Wonderful post! I like your blog, and I am a regular follower. I will be back.For more information about Electrical contractors Las Vegas.
My husband is an out of work miner and is desperately seeking employment in the northern cali, montana, nevada, alaska, pretty much anywhere in western us. Where do we go to find job openings? Unless I specifically know the mines name I can’t find anything on them or different mines. Please help! Thanks so much!
Hello,
i’ll cut to the chase, Ive got over 12 years in mining , I’ve done everything you can think of from plant maintenance, plant operator, equipment operator(all kinds), ive drilled,also i was a maintenance lead man, that turned in to me becoming a foreman , and now i am an asst. plant manager. im just looking to relocate
Hello, I’m currently working overseas at a mining company that I’ve been with for about 15 years. I’m interested in relocating to the U.S. mainly California or Colorado with my wife (whose a NYC techer) and two children. Within the 15 years I also worked 9 years in Sardinia, Italy as general manager.
If you’d like further information about my job experience, please contact me.
Thank you.
Hello, i am looking for info on jobs in mining. i have 20 years heavy equipment experience and since the economy has tanked, i have been laid off and cant seem to find real, stable work. i am open to any job where i can support my family, open to relocation, just want to make ends meet somewhere. Mining has always intrigued me although I will do anything, so if anyone knows of any real job opportunities, i would greatly appreciate any information you could pass my direction.. Thank so much! Blessings!
[...] of the sadder aspects of mining is the posting Mining Jobs in Colorado and California. There are few jobs in mining in California or Colorado. Nevertheless, over 2,300 people [...]
TERESITO T. OPSIMA, JR.
Good day, i’m a licenced mining engr… based here in the Philippines and currently working in a copper&gold mine “carmen copper corporation”. I’m really interested in seeking for a mining job in Colorado.it would be greatful for me to recieve reply from you…
Hi my name is David and i have been trying to get employment in the mine and no one will give me a start i like to drive dump trucks thanks