What’s going on in mining

This page is designed to help those new to mining gain insight into industry trends and developments for each commodity being mined.

Below, you’ll find the latest video update on Australian mining, sourced from our sponsored YouTube channel, Australian Mining for New Starters.

It’s a great resource for staying informed about the industry and understanding the opportunities available for new starters.

Mining operates on commodity-specific cycles, meaning that rather than a broad industry-wide boom or bust, each mineral follows its own trend. Right now, gold and battery metals are leading the way in demand.

Our Introduction to Underground Mining courses focus on essential hardrock mining skills, making them applicable across a wide range of commodities. While coal mining follows a different method, everything else on this list aligns with Hardrock practices—ensuring versatility in job opportunities.

I’ll start with what’s booming and work through the trends, finishing with coal.

Gold

Gold is transitioning from bust to boom for the first time in three decades, creating strong demand for skilled workers. With Australian gold prices surpassing a record price of $5,000 per ounce, existing mines are ramping up production, and new sites are opening to meet supply shortages.

For new starters and those returning to the industry, gold mines offer some of the best job opportunities right now. By completing our Introduction to Underground Mining courses, you can position yourself as a valuable candidate for entry-level roles paying $80K–$120K per year—giving employers a strong alternative to inexperienced applicants.

This is the perfect time to gain the essential industry knowledge that Hiring Managers, Project Managers and Foremans are looking for and jumpstart your mining career.

Silver

Silver is shifting from bust to boom, with a genuine shortage creating high demand. Reports indicate North American mints are struggling to source enough silver to strike coins, reflecting supply constraints.

With significant industrial usage, silver is often mined as a by-product of copper, leading to the reopening of old projects and a scramble for new deposits. This surge in activity presents strong employment opportunities—both for experienced workers and new starters looking to break into the industry.

Now is an excellent time to position yourself for these roles, especially with the right mining knowledge and industry-specific skills that employers seek.

Copper

Copper is experiencing an upswing, driven by high demand for battery technology, which relies heavily on the metal. Australia is home to several large underground copper mines, including one that was previously closed but has recently reopened.

Across the sector, employers are actively seeking workers, particularly as larger underground mines struggle with turnover in lower-paid roles. This presents a strong opportunity for new starters to enter the industry.

By completing our Introduction to Underground Mining courses, you can position yourself as a valuable candidate, offering the knowledge and readiness employers look for in entry-level roles—many of which pay between $80K and $120K annually.

Now is a great time to take advantage of these industry shifts and break into copper mining.

Uranium

Australia’s three-mine policy on uranium makes it challenging to define the industry as either booming or struggling. However, the largest uranium mine in South Australia is currently undergoing a major recruitment push.

This hiring surge may be influenced by the other valuable metals mined alongside uranium, such as gold and silver, which are both in high demand. While uranium itself remains a regulated sector, activity around these multi-metal operations presents opportunities for workers seeking entry into mining.

If you’re exploring job prospects, staying informed on these recruitment efforts could be beneficial.

Zinc

Zinc is holding steady, with sufficient supply meeting demand at profitable prices for producers. The majority of zinc mines are located in the southeastern states or the far north of Western Australia, and for now, the workforce remains stable.

However, as gold and silver producers ramp up operations, employers may start poaching experienced workers from zinc mines, offering higher wages or better rosters. While this shift hasn’t happened yet, it’s worth keeping an eye on—especially for new starters looking to capitalize on fresh job openings when experienced personnel move on.

Timing your entry into the industry strategically can give you an advantage, and preparing with industry knowledge ensures you’re ready to seize the opportunity when it arises.

Lead

Lead is emerging from a bust, with many mines reopening after several years of decline due to falling metal prices. As these operations restart, they’ll require full crews, creating strong opportunities for new starters.

Employers typically prioritize experienced workers for these roles, but they often rely on labour hire companies to source candidates, which can open doors for newcomers with the right industry knowledge.

For those looking to enter mining, timing is critical. Preparing with industry-specific training and a mining-ready resume can give you an advantage as these vacancies are filled.

Rare Earths

Rare earths continue to boom, with extensive exploration underway across Australia to identify new deposits. These minerals play a critical role in battery technology, powering everything from electric vehicles to smartphones.

Most rare earth mining operations are open-cut, as deposits are often located close to the surface. For those looking to secure a truck-driving job in an open-pit mine, holding a Heavy Rigid (HR) license is far more valuable than an expensive truck ticket—making it a key requirement for entry-level roles in this sector.

With growing demand for rare earths, opportunities in mining are expanding, making now a great time to prepare for work in this industry.

Nickel

Nickel remains essential to battery technology, but the industry is experiencing a downturn. At $AUD25,000 per ton, prices are well below their peak of $AUD45,000 per ton a decade ago.

Many nickel mines worldwide have been placed into care and maintenance, including BHP’s Nickel West operation in Western Australia, which is set to remain idle until 2027. While experienced hardrock miners have been quickly redeployed to meet demand in gold and copper mines, the transition has been more challenging in the utility and shutdown sectors.

The shutdown side of the industry has been particularly impacted by the cancellation of the Nickel Smelter relining in Kalgoorlie, further contributing to hiring difficulties in that space.

Iron Ore

Iron ore is well off its peak from the last decade, with many high-cost mines still shut down. For new starters seeking a long-term mining career, this isn’t the best sector to target, as automation is rapidly replacing jobs, and labour hire companies are commonly used to fill roles.

The traineeships run by major iron ore companies focus more on cost reduction than genuine career development, taking 12–24 months to complete, with salaries often around $70K per year—half the usual industry wage.

Despite lower iron ore prices, production costs remain between $US22–$38 per ton, meaning that with current prices hovering around $US100 per ton, companies are still securing strong profits.

For those new to mining, Hardrock roles in gold, silver, or battery metals may offer better long-term opportunities.

Coal

Coal mining in the eastern states comes with significant challenges, making hardrock mining a far safer option. Western Australia’s mining regulations make coal extraction too expensive, unless it directly serves a power station—which is why only one coal mine exists in WA, despite the abundance of coal across the state.

The real concern lies in Queensland’s coal mines, where black lung cases have surfaced, suggesting that basic safety measures have been severely neglected. With ongoing risks and regulatory differences between WA and the eastern states, choosing a hardrock mining role not only offers greater long-term stability but also a safer working environment.

For those considering mining careers, Hardrock industries like gold, silver, copper, and rare earths provide strong job opportunities without the risks coal presents.

Mining is certainly a complex industry, with each commodity following its own distinct cycle rather than a simple boom-or-bust pattern. These insights, from our own industry experience lay out these trends clearly, helping you as a new starter understand where the strongest opportunities lie.

If you require further clarification or have specific questions, you can submit an enquiry request

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