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half of the 20th century saw a number of reforms in the industry, including the addition of protective gear that serves to minimize the chances for ongoing health issues for the miner.

Mining in general is a dangerous profession. Much of the actual work of the miner takes place in the mines, where there is always the chance of exposure to underground gases, shaft failures, and other dangers. Part of the training process for a miner today includes working with life saving equipment, as well as learning how to deal with emergency situations that arise in the mines from time to time.

Mineral ores such as gold, aluminium, iron ore and nickel are what miners extract from the ground using specialised mining equipment. Miners work in both underground and open cut mines. Underground mines, up to 1,000 metres deep, have a structure similar to a multilevel car park. The first step in underground mine construction involves building tunnels and the various levels of a mine. Using a jumbo (drilling machine), miners drill a series of holes into the rock face. These are loaded with explosives and blasted. Using boggers (scooping equipment), miners scoop up rock fragments from the blast and load them into trucks to be transported out of the mine.

A miner then scales down the rock face, clearing off any loose rock that may fall. To further stabilise the rock face, miners insert rock bolts. They drill holes into tunnel walls, insert metal bolts and fill the holes with cement. These development processes are repeated until tunnelling and the various levels of the mine have been completed and production drilling (to retrieve ore bodies) can commence.

Using a long hole rig (drilling machine), miners drill from one level to the next. Blasting takes place and loose ore-bearing rock is transferred from a bogger to a truck, which takes it to the surface for processing in a mineral processing plant.

An underground mine is dark and dusty and requires electricity for lighting, air for ventilation and water to reduce the level of dust. Miners install these services progressively during the development stages.

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In developing open cut mines, miners use bulldozers to remove the fertile top layer of soil, which is stored and later used to help the growth of new plants. Using different methods, including blasting and bulldozing, miners extract ores from the rock. Miners then transport it to be processed.

To work as a miner, you need to be mechanically and technically oriented, as you will be operating and maintaining specialised equipment. You also must be prepared to work away from home, in an isolated environment and for long periods of time (if you live on site). You may work on a fly-in, fly-out basis, involving shorter periods away. Most miners work a 12-hour day.

Given that the inside of mines tend to be very dark and the nature of the work carried out by miners involves a high level of risk, a miner's work environment can be potentially hazardous.

«Safety has been the biggest issue of the last decade but safety procedures have vastly improved. The living conditions have also improved over the years, there's a social club and even sporting facilities these days on some mines», according to local miner Wez, who has worked on several mines in Western Australia.

There have also been big changes in mining industry and mining processes. Industry representatives say that in the last 15–20 years, mining has become highly mechanized.

In some situations, miners can now operate drilling equipment and mining vehicles by remote control. Sitting in air conditioned cabins, they view what's happening outside through television monitors. New vehicles are also being fitted with remote safety systems, preventing injuries during cave-ins.

Job prospects for miners vary according to the sector that you work in, and the level of activity in those particular sectors. These can fluctuate over time. For instance, new development activity in nickel means that prospects in that sector are currently above average, while oil and gas continues to grow.

In the next part we’ll study different mining sectors and mining careers.

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Activities

1. Прочитайте текст и выберите группу слов и словосочетаний,

которые отражали бы тему «Miner’s profile».

2. Найдите в тексте соответствующие английские слова и выражения: добывать полезные ископаемые, выполнять обязанности,

добыча угля, рудник, технические средства защиты, вопросы здравоохранения, спасательное средство, чрезвычайное положение,

открытый способ разработки, промышленное бурение, плодородная почва,

полезное ископаемое, полное обрушение скважины, дистанционное управление, сырая руда.

3.Попросите вашего партнера ответить на следующие вопросы:

1.What do miners deal with?

2.What risks does a job of a coal miner involve?

3.Why is mining a dangerous profession?

4.What are modern miners trained in?

5.What types are mines divided into?

6.What does a structure of an underground mining look like?

7.Describe the procedure of underground mine construction.

8.What is used for stabilizing the rock face?

9.What services does the work of a miner involve?

10.How do miners develop open cut mines?

11.What methods are used to extract ores from the rock?

12.What skills and personal attributes should a person have to work as a miner? 13.Why is the work of a miner hazardous?

14.What technique is used to prevent injuries during cave-ins?

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4. Найдите синонимы слов и выражений:

5. Прочитайте текст и выпишите в виде плана информацию,

отражающую последовательность операций при подземной разработке месторождений.

6. Найдите в тексте абзацы, в которых сообщается о том, какие инновации появились в процессе добычи полезных ископаемых за последние

10 лет. Выпишите ключевые слова, характеризующие инновации, и, опираясь на свои записи, поделитесь этой информацией с партнером.

7.Выполните учебный перевод абзаца, в котором говорится о личностных качествах, необходимых для работы в горной промышленности.

8.Найдите в тексте аргументы, подтверждающие тезис «The nature of the miner’s work involves a high level of risk».

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2.1. Work of a Mining Engineer

Mining engineering is an engineering discipline that involves the practice, the theory, the science, the technology, and application of extracting and processing minerals from a naturally occurring environment. Mining engineering also includes processing minerals for additional value.

The need for mineral extraction and production is an essential activity of any technically proficient society. As minerals are produced from within a naturally occurring environment, disturbance of the environment as a result of mineral production is a given. Modern mining engineering must therefore be concerned not only with the production and processing of mineral commodities, but also with the mitigation of damage or changes to an environment as a result of that production and processing.

Mining engineers, including mining safety engineers find, extract, and prepare coal, metals, and minerals for use by manufacturing industries and utilities. They design open-pit and underground mines, supervise the construction of mine shafts and tunnels in underground operations, and devise methods for transporting minerals to processing plants. Mining engineers are responsible for the safe, economical, and environmentally sound operation of mines. Some mining engineers work with geologists and metallurgical engineers to locate and appraise new ore deposits. Others develop new mining equipment or direct mineralprocessing operations that separate minerals from the dirt, rock, and other materials with which they are mixed. Mining engineers frequently specialize in the mining of one mineral or metal, such as coal or gold. With increased emphasis on protecting the environment, many mining engineers work to solve problems related to land reclamation and water and air pollution. Mining safety engineers use their knowledge of mine design and practices to ensure the safety of workers and to comply with State and Federal safety regulations. They inspect walls and roof surfaces, monitor air quality, and examine mining equipment for compliance with safety practices.

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Activities:

1.Прочитайте текст и найдите в нем предложения, которые характеризуют отрасль Mining Engineering.

2.Прочитайте текст и выпишите ключевые глаголы и глагольные словосочетания, которые характеризуют профессиональную деятельность горного инженера.

3.Найдите в тексте эквиваленты следующих словосочетаний: горная техника, безопасность горных работ, природный, добыча минеральных полезных ископаемых, разрушение окружающей среды, минеральные продукты, снижение повреждений, подземная разработка, освоение земли,

техника безопасности, принимая во внимание, источники питания, горное

законодательство, аварийное техническое обслуживание.

4.Ответьте на вопросы преподавателя:

1.What does mining engineering involve?

2.What impact does mineral production have on the environment?

3.What does modern mining deal with?

4.What tasks do mining engineers perform?

5.What are mining engineers responsible for?

6.Why do mining engineers work with geologists?

7.What ecological problems do mining engineers solve to protect the environment?

8.What are the functions of mining safety engineers?

5.Ознакомьтесь с нижеприведенной информацией и определите, какие из следующих функциональных обязанностей выполняются горным инженером, а какие – горным инженером по безопасности. Выпишите информацию в таблицу, представленную ниже.

Conduct investigations of mineral deposits and undertake evaluations in collaboration with geologists, other earth scientists and economists to determine whether the mineral deposits can be mined profitably;

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Ensure the safety of workers and complies with the State and Federal safety regulations;

Prepare plans for mines, including tunnels and shafts for underground operations, and pits and haulage roads for open-cut operations, using computeraided design packages;

Prepare the layout of the mine development and the way the minerals are to be mined;

Plan and coordinate the employment of mining staff and equipment with regard to efficiency, safety and environmental conditions;

Consult with geologists and other engineers about the design, selection and provision of machines, facilities and systems for mining, as well as infrastructure such as access roads, water and power supplies;

Operate computers to assist with calculations, prepare estimates on the cost of the operation and control expenditure when mines come into production;

Oversee the construction of the mine and the installation of plant and equipment;

Ensure mining regulations are observed, including the proper use and care of explosives and the correct ventilation to allow the removal of dust and gases;

Conduct research aimed at improving efficiency and safety in mines;

Examine mining equipment for compliance with safety practice;

Establish first aid and emergency services facilities at the mines.

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6.Опираясь на ключевые слова и выражения заданий 1 и 2, сделайте краткое сообщение о функциональных обязанностях и специфике работы горного инженера.

7.Прочитайте первые два абзаца и выполните учебный перевод.

2.2. Employment Opportunities in Mining Engineering

Since mining engineers have a broad training, there are many other career opportunities open to them in the construction and tunneling industry, banking and finance industry, engineering consulting companies, equipment manufacturers, and federal and state agencies, to name a few.

Many mining engineers, when they first graduate, go to work in an operating mine. The work can vary from supervising a small group of people who operate large and complex equipment, to developing a computer model of a mine and using it to plan the daily operation.

A recent career example is Cindy Moore who graduated in 1997. She was the first woman to win the National Senior Design Project which awarded her $1000. She has this to say:

«I enrolled in mining engineering at the Mackay School of Mines. It was probably the wisest decision I have made. Following graduation I became a mining engineer at Mine Development Associates in Reno, responsible for providing engineering services for a variety of clients. I specialized in mineral resource estimation and mine planning and design using Surpac, a sophisticated computer software package. Currently, I am a grade control engineer at the Rosebud mine near Winnemucca. It is a small underground mine and I have been given a variety of responsibilities.

Mining is a very fast-paced, exciting career. I feel it is an excellent career choice for both men and women. There are very few women in this industry, but I believe if a woman has the determination to succeed, she can progress to the upper levels in the industry».

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Activities

1. Прочитайте текст и скажите, что является его темой. Какую роль играет заголовок для раскрытия темы текста?

2. Прочитайте первые два абзаца и напишите, где могут работать горные инженеры.

3. Найдите в тексте абзацы, в которых Синди Мур рассказывает о профессиональной деятельности, и заполните нижеприведенную таблицу соответствующими фактами.

4. Опираясь на содержание и языковые средства текста, подготовьте различные вопросы о карьерном росте Синди Мур и попросите ответить на них вашего партнера, выступающего от лица Синди Мур.

5. Используя записи в таблице задания 3 в качестве плана, сделайте краткое сообщение об этапах профессионального роста первой женщины,

получившей грант на разработку National Senior Design Project в области горного дела.

6. Прочитайте текст и приведите аргументы, подтверждающие идею о том, что «Mining is a very fast-paced and exciting career».

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