Geological and Minerals Technologists and Technicians

Nature of work

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. Geological technologists conduct or direct geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys; exploratory drilling; well logging; or underground mine survey programs. They work for 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.

Job duties

Geological and mineral technologists:

• Conduct or direct geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging or underground mine survey programs.
• Configure, use, and maintain geophysical survey and well logging instruments and equipment.
• Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, and cross sections.
• Prepare, transcribe, or analyze seismic, gravimetric, well log or other geophysical and survey data.
• Help engineers and geologists evaluate and analyze petroleum and mineral reservoirs.
• Prepare rock, mineral or metal samples and perform physical and chemical laboratory tests.
• Conduct or support environmental audits, in the design of measures to minimize undesirable environmental effects of new or expanded mining and oil and gas operations, and in the development of waste management and other related environmental protection procedures.
• May supervise oil and gas well drilling, well completions and workovers.
• May conduct or supervise studies and programs related to mine development, mining methods, mine ventilation, lighting, drainage, and ground control.
• May help engineers and metallurgists in specifying material selection, metal treatments or corrosion protection systems.
• May help hydrogeologists evaluate groundwater and well circulation and prepare reports.
• May develop specifications for heat treatment of metals or for welding, design welding fixtures, troubleshoot welding processes or quality problems and supervise welding projects.
• May coordinate crew members' activities during seismic tests.

Geological and mineral technicians:

• Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging or underground mine survey programs and in environmental audits and related environmental protection activities.
• Use and maintain geophysical survey and well logging instruments and equipment.
• Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, and cross sections.
• Help prepare, transcribe, or analyze seismic, gravimetric, well log or other geophysical and survey data.
• Help prepare rock, mineral or metal samples and conduct physical and chemical laboratory tests.
• Help with hydrogeological field and laboratory studies and prepare reports.
• Carry out a limited range of other technical functions in support of geology, geophysics and petroleum and mining engineering.

Sample job titles

• geological engineering technician
• geophysical technologist
• groundwater technologist
• hydrological technician
• marine geoscience technologist
• metallurgical technologist
• mineral technician
• oil geology technologist
• seismic technician
• welding technologist

Skills

• The skills and aptitudes for these jobs are as varied as the entrance requirements. You should be interested in science and technology and be able to work with detailed processes, machines, and techniques. Familiarity with computers is necessary for some positions. An aptitude for mathematics and the sciences at the high school level is important. Some of these jobs involve exposure to heat, noise, vibration, fumes, and dust, while other jobs are in a relatively clean laboratory environment.

Job requirements

• Geological and mineral technologists usually require completion of a two- to three-year college program in geological technology, petroleum technology, petroleum engineering technology, hydrogeology or groundwater technology, mining technology, mining engineering technology, mineralogy, metallurgical technology, or welding technology.
• Geophysics technologists usually require completion of a two- to three-year college program in electronics technology.
• Geological and mineral technicians usually require completion of a one- to two-year college program in a related field.
• Certification in geological and mineral technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
• A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.

Other considerations

None

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