Mining CV keywords: what South African mining recruiters search for
Certificates of competency, commodity, mining method and planning software: the keywords that decide whether a mining CV is found.
Mining recruiters search by commodity first, then by mining method, then by certificate. A CV that says "mining experience" without saying underground platinum, open-pit coal or gold leaching gives them nothing to match.
Commodity and method
Name the commodity and the method in your headline and in each role: underground hard rock, bord-and-pillar coal, open pit, mechanised, conventional. These are the filter words.
Certificates of competency
Statutory certificates carry more weight on a mining CV than most degrees, because they decide what you can legally be appointed to. List each with its scope, for example "Mine Overseer's Certificate of Competency (metalliferous)". The certificates of competency guide lists them and explains the exam process.
Legislation and codes
Planning and technical software
Numbers mining managers read first
- Output: tonnes per month and the grade.
- Development: metres per month against plan.
- Safety: LTIFR or days without a lost-time injury in your section.
- Cost: rand per tonne, and what you did to move it.
- Plant: recovery percentage and throughput for metallurgists.
Professional registration
Mining engineers register with ECSA, geologists with SACNASP and surveyors with the SAGC. Each guide has the route and the current fees.
Role-by-role keyword lists
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