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Quarry engineer

Quarry engineers explore new sites, oversee extraction operations and manage sites at the end of their commercial life.

Average annual salary

£28,000 to £52,000

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Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship

University

You can become a quarry or mining engineer by completing a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • minerals engineering
  • mining engineering
  • geophysics
  • geology
  • Earth sciences
  • civil engineering

Courses that give you the opportunity to gain work experience through internships, placements or a year in industry may give you an advantage.

Entry requirements:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You may be able to gain some of the skills and knowledge relevant to this role through a higher apprenticeship as a minerals product technician. With experience and further training, you could then become a quarry engineer.

Entry requirements:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • operations analysis skills
  • maths knowledge
  • design skills and knowledge
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to read English
  • business management skills
  • knowledge of English language
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • knowledge of systems analysis and development
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • concentration skills
  • a good memory
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What you'll do:

Quarry engineers explore new sites, oversee extraction operations and manage sites at the end of their commercial life.

You will:

  • use ground-surveying techniques to check the sites geology
  • drill earth and rock samples for lab testing
  • build up computer models of a site and its deposits
  • make recommendations on how to proceed

If mining goes ahead, you will:

  • manage the day-to-day running of operations
  • oversee technical staff
  • produce progress reports
  • monitor health and safety
  • draw up plans to guard against emergencies like a tunnel collapsing or flooding
  • make plans for restoration of the site after quarry workings end

Location : You could work at a quarry or in an office.
Environment : Your working environment may be cramped, dusty and you may spend nights away from home.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

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Salary:

Starter : £28,000
Experienced : £52,000

These figures are a guide

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Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is weekends occasionally

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Career Path:

With experience, you could move into people or project management roles or into related careers like civil, construction or environmental engineering.

There may be opportunities to work on mining projects overseas.

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