Mineralogy Technician

Geological and mineral technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in the fields of oil and gas exploration and production, geophysics, petroleum engineering, geology, mining and mining engineering, mineralogy, extractive and physical metallurgy, metallurgical engineering and environmental protection. They are employed by petroleum and mining companies, consulting geology and engineering firms, and by governments and educational institutions as well as by a variety of manufacturing, construction and utilities companies.

Typical Duties:

• Specializes in either high of low temperature geochemistry;
• Studies the formation of minerals and rocks deep in the crust of the Earth as a component of high temperature geochemistry;
• Researches the characteristics of minerals under conditions close to the surface of the Earth as a component of low temperature geochemistry;
• Searches for ore deposits by detecting trace amounts of metals and minerals in water, plants, soil, and rocks;
• Analyzes these trace quantities of minerals in the process of locating ore deposits;
• Supervises the extraction of ore from underground of open pit mines;
• Ensures that extraction operations are responsible, safe, and both economically and environmentally sound.

Educational Requirements:

Two-year college program in geological or metallurgical engineering technology