UK mining should have greater reliance on itself and be more responsive to external market forces in order to meet the industry’s demands, said the country’s mining equipment body.
STUDENTS
Yorkshire-based Association of British Mining Equipment Companies (ABMEC) also raised concerns over fewer applications from students to geoscience-related courses following the decision by Camborne School of Mines (CSM) to suspend its Mining Engineer course for a year.
ABMEC and the CSM plan to devise a programme to encourage 16-18 year olds into the industry to avoid a shortage of engineering skills.
The association added that the need for “indigenous research and development was paramount.”
“With Brexit nearing, Britain needs to start making things again.
“We need to be more self-sufficient and responsive to outside market forces.”
TECHNOLOGY
ABMEC contrasted the UK’s approach with Australian students offered well paid jobs in mining before completing their studies with wages driven higher by a skills shortage.
Mining technology had changed over the years and it required professional skills, computer programming, remote operators and analysts, it added.
It also highlighted automation as essential for efficient productivity, and which would also increases the demand for design engineers, remote operators and electronics personnel.
ABMEC
ABMEC represents the British mining supply chain including large equipment manufacturers, component suppliers, service providers and educational establishments.