Techniques compared to space exploration

From the Montreal Gazette: Techniques compared to space exploration

With roughly 200 active mines, quarries and sandpits in operation as of July 2010, the industry has a huge reach in Quebec. In communities across the province, nearly 900 facilities provide direct and indirect jobs for upwards of 50,000 people.

"There's no question that mining is a huge contributor to our economy and job creation in Quebec," said Dan Tolgyesi, president and CEO of the Mining Association of Quebec.

The industry employs all sorts of experts including geologists, drill technicians, trades people and a slew of engineers, university and college graduates from various disciplines.

"Engineers play an enormous role in the industry," Tolgyesi said. "From geologist, mining, processing and metallurgical engineers to mechanical and electrical engineers and computer systems experts, they're all essential."

The notion of working in the mining industry is often skewed in people's minds.

"The technology has come so far and become so advanced from the old image of miners in a pit with pickaxes," Tolgyesi said. "We have specially trained and skilled engineers and experts designing, manufacturing and operating highly mechanized equipment."

The techniques used in the industry are similar to those employed in space exploration, he added.

"Only it's more complicated in some ways because when you go to space, it's a void, but when you go underground you have to incorporate geophysics to navigate rock bodies," Tolgyesi said.

"We break the rock, drill, blast and move huge pieces of earth all while supporting the ground to prevent rock falls."

The automation incorporated into the practice of mining is nothing short of incredible and engineers play a huge role in that.

"People can now operate mines without endangering themselves," Tolgyesi said. "Sections of mines have no people working in them because the machinery is automated or is being operated remotely, which is much safer in certain circumstances."

Quebec is a huge producer of minerals such as iron, gold, copper, nickel, zinc and silver. There are also industrial and architectural stones and peat mines throughout the province.

In the near future it's likely that diamonds, lithium, rare earth elements and uranium will be mined here as well.