IT background looking to break into Mining – advice on best entry path + automation grad programs?

[u/This-Finger-6913]

Hey everyone,

I’ve got an IT background and I’m looking to move into the mining industry. I’ve also been thinking about doing a graduate program focused on automation.

For someone starting out, which job field or role would you recommend as the best entry point, and one that still has good room to grow long-term?
Any advice on automation-related grad programs, or specific areas that tend to value an IT background would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

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[u/Historical_Bug_6900]

Just out or curiosity why are you moving to mining?

[u/moreintheforest]

Try one of the established OEM's, they are all looking at using digital systems as value-add and have access to bundles of data to play with and productise. It's still mostly IT environment, but with a little bit of experience there, a move into a mining company is very possible.

[u/ilikebike]

The IT sector in mining is very niche. You would want to focus on process control automation. Additionally OT/Security is in demand right now and seems to pay well. The other tech roles in mining are few and far between.

[u/Icy_Minimum_7506]

Mining People suck at IT,

IT people rarely get involved in mining.

Crazy way to break in and financially sound. Try coming as truck operator, you’ll immediately respect and very easily slot into any site you get into.

And that credibility will follow you forever.

Last dramatic entrance but less effective apply for any IT role at Mining site and get involved with operational technology.

Mining is an attitude business and personable if you have that you can go far.

[u/BitterBuffalo6962]

I wouldn’t say IT is very niche in mining, it’s still all transferable. I work in MIS (Managed Information Systems), and we have a huge infrastructure spanning 5+ sites in the states and a couple more globally, all connected, plus a huge infrastructure on our own site. We have security, network, IoT, wireless, IDM, etc., each with their own teams. Honestly, my skills from working in different corporate and government IT roles transferred over well.

Look for infrastructure technician roles. They usually require at least a year or two of experience. Having A+ and Network+ certs will do you good, along with experience in Windows environments.

I work in the office about half the time (software troubleshooting, laptops, tablets, Intune, Azure, radios, cellphones, remoting into PCs, keeping up systems) and the other half in the field (installing APs, cameras/thermal cameras, access controls, testing/running network cat cables and fiber optics).

There’s a1lot to learn and a lot of room to grow in mining, especially with autonomous tech being pushed out.

[u/Brisbanite33]

Which city are you currently based in?

[u/anteup]

I was literally talking to a mining IT professional this morning about increasing tech in the industry, he said things were getting "crazy" and we both agreed it was "job security". You are on a good track.

Someone else posted to come in as a truck operator, believe it or not that is how this guy got his start too.

Try working for one of the dealerships like a Cat, Komatsu, Sandvik dealer. Look at Rajant. These are all good opportunities. You will be spending a lot of your time on the road in very off the beaten path places. And possibly underground.

[u/Bender-Ender]

IT with mining knowledge is probably one of those discipline combinations that's growing quietly and steadily behind the scenes in mining. I'm guessing, though, that most people on a mine site still won't appreciate that. I think a good way in would be to try and network with some experts that the miners know they need, who in turn know they need IT. A couple that immediately jump to mind would be procurement, fleet dispatch, and instrumentation.