Here is a quote from a report on the web today:
65% of mining professionals surveyed expect raises of over 15% in the next year, with nearly one fifth of survey participants seeking salary increases of over 35%. Geologists in particular are highly optimistic about short-term remuneration gains, with 39% seeking rises of 25% or more. The heady optimism of mining professionals with regard to near-term remuneration levels could place further pressure on mining companies already beleaguered by uncertain commodities prices.
Which raises the obvious question: what are they earning currently. I have new data from CostMine via the newly published 2012 Survey Results Canadian Mine Salaries, Wages and Benefits.
First some averages ($1000 per year):
- General Manager = 187
- Mine Manager = 152
- Mine superintendent = 128
- Senior Engineer = 122
- Metallurgist = 87
- Mine Geologist = 89
- Environmental Coordinator = 96
- Surveyor = 66
- Personnel Manager = 108
- Accountant = 87
- Secretary =56
The ranges too are interesting. Here are some for mines in the Western Region of Canada:
- General Manager = 144 to 243
- Senior Engineer = 94 to 149
- Chemist = 53 to 120
- Surveyor = 56 to 79
- Accountant = 68 to 114
- Secretary =47 to 63
It also depends on the type of mine at which you work. Here are some averages for Metal Mines/Diamond Mines/ Fossil Fuel Mines:
- Mine Manager = 144/124/168
- Mine Foreman = 101/81/111
- Metallurgist = 87/79/96
- Personnel Manager = 109/98/111
- Secretary = 53/40/59
I hope they all get a raise; particularly those folk at the diamond mines. They live and work hard; why is their salary lower than the rest?
When mining professionals are in short supply salaries go up at a faster rate than normal. Senior engineers and geologists are in extremely short supply right now, but if a company adjusts salary structures to attract people to these positions they also have to adjust most others, else the entire framework becomes tilted.
While I like the costmine survey I prefer Price Waterhouse, as they have more positions and more mines in their database.