Natural resources are materials that occur in nature and are either essential or useful to human survival. They include water, air, land, forests, fish and wildlife, topsoil, and minerals. Environmental careers focus on protecting natural resources and developing alternative sources of energy.

Mining and exploration

The most recent figures available for the total value of mineral production and value-added processing output in Ireland places it at over €1.3 billion. Ireland is the largest producer of zinc concentrates in the European Union and one of the ten largest in the world. The mining and exploration industry employs 1,100 people directly and over 3,000 in support and downstream jobs. In rural economies, mines such as Arcon, Lisheenare and Boliden Tara mines are among the biggest employers in their regions. The annual average capital expenditure by the mining companies over the past three years was €60 million. Mining companies spend an additional €100 million per annum on the purchase of materials and services in Ireland.

Career opportunities for graduates include working as:

• geological technicians
  
• mining engineers
  
• geodata technicians
  
• petroleum engineers
  
• trading analysts
  
• engineers.

Geological technicians are involved with providing technical backup to the mine technical department regarding the collection of geological data, in the form of grade control, rock mechanics, hydrological data and sampling. Daily responsibilities involve grade control on all faces to be mined, visual estimates of grade, and assistance in the production of reports regarding mine production.

Mining engineers assist in the development of mining plans, produce detailed designs of underground excavations, participate in engineering feasibility studies to define proper mining methods, equipment selection, mine site facilities, and manpower and production requirements and ensure safe and efficient mining and processing methods.

A range of both technical and commercial opportunities are open to graduates in the oil, gas and petroleum industries. In the UK, BP, Shell, ExxonMobil and Schlumberger all have graduate recruitment programmes. Postgraduate qualifications can be an advantage when applying to these groups, particularly for technical roles.

The Geological Survey of Ireland recruits graduates for the position of temporary geological assistants. This involves fieldwork, working with digital mapping software, working on data compilation, websites and public enquiries. These specialists are involved with projects such as groundwater protection, geological heritage, mineral potential mapping and information management. To work as a temporary project geologist a postgraduate qualification is necessary.

Forestry

Forests cover over 9 per cent of the land area of Ireland and there are over 16,000 people employed either directly or indirectly in the industry. Coillte for example employs over 1,000 people throughout the country and is involved in added value initiatives including timber processing together with mainstream forestry management.

Graduates may be involved with planning and directing the development of woodland and forests. This may involve planting new woodlands, overseeing timber felling, saw milling and tree surgery.

Environment

The need for graduates with environmental training has grown due to a combination of increasing statutory regulations and a growing awareness of the need for sustainable development. An environmental, technical, scientific or engineering degree is an advantage.

Environmental health officers are employed by the Health Services in a diverse range of areas including water monitoring, food control, air and noise pollution, pest control, infectious diseases and port health.

Graduates can also begin careers as environmental officers. Environmental officers within private organisations are responsible for monitoring the control of atmospheric emissions, ground and surface waters, landfill and gaseous emissions and noise and blasting vibrations. They also prepare environmental impact statements, analyse results, and prepare reports for the Environmental Protection Agency and local authorities. They may also have the opportunity to take part in research, for example the effects of mining on the soil and vegetation.

Other graduates take up posts in environmental consultancy firms, where they are responsible for helping to assess the impact of existing and proposed developments, assessing means of minimising the environmental impacts of industrial processes and carrying out the associated monitoring of air, soil and water.

Written by Caroline Kennedy, Careers & Opportunities Officer, National College of Ireland.