Andrea Brickey, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of
Mining Engineering and Management at South Dakota Mines, is among a group of industry professionals raising red flags over the
labor shortage in the mining industry.
Brickey was recently quoted in this Wall Street Journal article examining how
workforce needs in the mining industry may hamper the nation’s transition to
renewable energy.
“Mining is a big part of what powers our country and
our economy, and any transition to renewable energy will rely heavily on
critical minerals needed for modern technology,” says Brickey. “Alongside this
increasing demand for raw materials, we have a dramatic need for people in the
mining industry, it’s estimated that between now and 2030 we will lose about
half of our workforce.”
Brickey says modern mining is not what most people think it is.
“It’s not mining like it was 120 years ago; mining is so
multidisciplinary, from engineers of all types to computer scientists to
mechanics. We have to be on the forefront of innovation. We are often the first to
implement new technologies in robotics, machine learning, autonomous vehicles
and more — all of these different emerging technologies to make our operations more
efficient, safer and more environmentally friendly,” she says.
Her own path to
becoming a leading academic voice in the mining industry may serve as an
inspiration to others. She joined the industry following her graduation in
mining engineering from South Dakota Mines. Her engineering work took her all around the world, to Brazil, Venezuela,
South Africa, Canada, several states in the western United States and more. She
wore many hats, serving as drill and blast engineer, safety trainer, and budget
manager working with many different types of commodities and methods.
Brickey circled back to academia and received her Ph.D. in 2015, returning
to her alma mater as a faculty member in mining engineering. She was recently
promoted to full professor, and she received the 2023 Mining
and Exploration Division Distinguished Service Award from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy
& Exploration.
Her next goal
is to launch a Black Hills chapter of Women in Mining to help encourage more
women to enter the field.
“There are a
lot of great women in the mining industry, but we need more. With the demand
for minerals, workforce development is going to be a big thing for the mining
industry. So, we are trying to show young people all of the opportunities that
are available.”
Her current research focuses primarily on using math to make underground mining environments both
safer for miners and more efficient with operations. She’s also looking at
repurposing the electrical infrastructure at mines to generate and distribute
renewable energy on reclaimed lands.
“We have some challenges, and we need bright young
people who are tech-savvy and who have a desire to really make an impact,” says
Brickey.
South Dakota
Mines is focused on helping industry meet workforce shortage challenges. The
university’s Mining Hub is at the center of forging new
public-private partnerships that are fueling industry innovation and helping
train the next generation of a highly skilled workforce. Brickey is particularly excited about the new Nucor Mineral Industries Building set to open next year on the Mines campus.
“We’re so
excited! Not only will it help us educate our students with the modern
equipment and technology that is changing the industry, but it will help
demonstrate the importance of the mineral industries. It’s the foundation of
our society, helping provide the raw materials we need to do all the things we
want to do.”
More than anything, Brickey wants to show
prospective undergraduate and graduate students that there are huge
opportunities in the mining industry, both for professional advancement and
growth, and to make a difference in the world.