Steel and iron ore are raw materials used in the production of steel. While iron ore is mined, steel is produced by processing iron ore, coke, and limestone in a blast furnace or electric arc furnace. Making steel using these three components is called the Bessemer process.
Is Steel/iron ore a good career path? It’s important in creating jobs and building an economy. It seems to be America’s backbone because of its contribution to constructing skyscrapers, bridges, and ships. The US has become the world’s third-largest steel producer, behind China and Japan.
Read on if you’re interested in working in this industry but don’t know where to begin. We will tell you everything you need to know about a career path – from education requirements to salary potential plus risks involved in this career.
What Is Steel/Iron Ore?
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Iron ore is the raw material used to make steel. It’s mined from the earth and generally found in large deposits underground, although you can also find them on land. It’s a hard and brittle metal. The most common iron ore is hematite, which contains about 70% iron. Iron ore is often mined with other materials such as limestone or dolomite, used to make cement. Steel is used in many applications, including construction, manufacturing, and transportation.
Why would you want to work in the mining industry? Well, it’s a lucrative career choice with a promising future ahead.
What Does The Steel/Iron Industry Do?
Steel is a basic material used to construct buildings and automobiles. It’s also used to make cast iron cookware.
Iron ore mining is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world today because workers risk being struck by falling rocks or suffocating underground due to dust inhalation or carbon monoxide poisoning from gas leaks caused by blasting activities during mining operations.
What Is The Educational Requirement Of Working In The Steel/Iron Industry?
The educational requirement for entry-level jobs in the steel/iron industry is a high school diploma or GED. Some college courses, technical training, and on-the-job training are also required. In addition, a bachelor’s degree in a related field is required for senior and more technical jobs in the steel/iron ore industry. This requirement may include skills in geology, engineering, chemistry, and business management.
What Is The Job Prospect For A Career Path In The Steel/Iron Ore Industry?
The job prospect for a career path in the steel/iron industry is good. Moreover, the job outlook for the sector is expected to grow in the future. That is because the demand for steel and iron ore is expected to increase due to global population growth, urbanization, and industrialization. Although the pandemic in 2020 was a blip to the rising growth of this industry, the previous five years have seen massive development.
In 2021, they were around 143,000 people with employment in this sector, and steel and iron mills represented 60% of this number.
5 Best Paying Jobs In The Steel/Iron Industry?
Are you looking for a career path with lucrative earnings and stability? This industry is an excellent option. The steel and iron industry is a booming sector that continues to grow each year. It’s also one of the best-paying industries in the world, with average earnings of $65,900 per year. Here are five of the highest-paying jobs in this field:
Structural Engineer
Structural engineers are responsible for designing, analyzing, and supervising the construction of buildings and other structures. They ensure the facilities are stable, structurally sound, and safe. Structural engineers can work in various areas, including architecture, civil engineering, or mechanical engineering.
Structural engineers work with architects and construction managers to design new buildings and retrofit existing structures. They also use 3D software to test the integrity of buildings. The average salary of a structural engineer is $83,000 per year (BLS).
Mining Geologist
A mining geologist is a professional who studies the earth’s crust and its minerals, consulting with mining companies to find new resources. Mining geologists use advanced technology to identify and explore rocks, minerals, and land formations that can be helpful in the industry. The job requires long periods of traveling through remote areas while carrying out research projects or surveying land for potential sites for mining operations.
To become a mining geologist, you need at least an undergraduate degree in geology or related fields (such as engineering or geography) with coursework focusing on mineralogy and petrology.
Metallurgical Engineers
Metallurgical engineers are educated in refining, alloying, and heat treating metals. They work with companies to develop processes for extracting metals from their ores.
The steel and iron ore industry involve developing the most efficient way to separate impurities from these materials so they can be used as raw materials. Metallurgical engineers are also often interested in creating new processes for refining, alloying, and heat treating metals.
Most metallurgical engineers work within large organizations such as corporations or government agencies. With this job, you can earn an average annual income of $83,000.
Field Engineer
Field engineers are often involved in the planning and execution of drilling programs, as well as blasting programs. They will also oversee all construction phases, including initial site preparation through completion. This job is one of the highest paid, with $99,000 annually.
The field engineer ensures that all on-site employees follow all safety regulations. In addition, they must have extensive knowledge about mining equipment and machinery to ensure it is used properly by everyone else in their crew or company.
Mine Supervisor
A mine supervisor is a person who supervises workers in a mine. They plan and coordinate the mine work to ensure it is done safely and efficiently, decide on the best ways to extract the ore, set up mining equipment and ensure its safety, supervise the mining process, and manage operations within a mine.
Mine supervisors in the US make an average annual income of $42,000.
What Are The Risks Involved In This Career Path?
There could be high risks for those in the steel and iron mills. Like any other mining industry, Steel mining could be difficult as there are vulnerabilities to accidents and natural disasters. In the environment, mining could also cause some alarming and dangerous concerns.
- Accidents are common occurrences in the mining industry. Just one slip of the hand or body can mean death and serious injury to other miners around you. There are more than 100 deaths per year from accidents on the job!
- Mining operations have been known to cause environmental damage and pollution, affecting land and air quality for years after closing. This situation is especially true if toxic chemicals are used in processing ore or waste materials produced by mining activities. In addition, health problems caused by dust inhalation (silicosis), dust explosions (blast injuries), poisoning from cyanide solution used to extract gold ions from crushed ore, and so on all make for unpleasant working conditions.
What Are The Benefits Of Choosing A Career In Steel/Iron Ore?
There are many benefits of choosing a career in steel/iron ore. The first benefit is that you will have a good salary to support your family. The second benefit is that you will have a good work environment to learn more about the industry and gain new skills.
Thirdly, you will have a good work-life balance because your employer understands that people also need to spend time with their families and friends outside work.
The fourth benefit is job security; employers are very careful when it comes to hiring someone for this position because they know how important it is to keep their employees happy, so they treat them with respect at all times no matter what situation they find themselves in a while working together towards achieving common goals together each day as one big team!
Fifthly, health benefits are also provided by companies that employ workers who participate in these types of careers. There’s always some protection available should anything happen unexpectedly during their daily commute home after work hours!
Wrapping Up
There are many benefits to choosing a steel/iron ore career. The job prospects are good, and the pay can be very high. Flexibility in terms of location can also be a plus. The steel/iron ore career path might be an excellent choice if you want to become an engineer or work with metals.