Testimonials
Taking part in STEP opens doors and lets you see what it is like working for one of the world's leading mining and natural resources companies. Find out what past students have to say about our work experience programme.
2009 STEP Leah in Namibia
During my time in Namibia, I had an excellent opportunity to learn things that a university course does not offer. With a hands on approach with dealing with drill core and conducting geophysical EM surveys in the mountainous desert using the very latest technology, the work is both exciting and fulfilling knowing that you are part of a advancing project.
2009 STEP Joe in Canada
Joe is an MSci graduate from Imperial College London. He travelled to Northern Quebec to embark on a summer of helicopter supported field work.
Despite finishing my final exams 7 days earlier; London seems a lifetime away, the sunny streets of South Kensington have given way to colder climes. Since then my time has been split between a mandatory medical and first aid course. For the last 2 days solid I have been travelling on a combination of tubes, planes, taxis and finally a helicopter. As the rotor blades slow I climb out onto the landing pad of camp Chuckotat, there is still thick snow surrounding the camp and a cold wind blowing off the nearby lake.
I am in West Raglan, Northern Quebec, in the centre of an Archean greenstone belt known for its prolific Nickel mineralization. 100 kilometres to the East there is the Raglan Ni mine and 600 kilometres to the West, across Hudson Bay, the Thompson Ni/PGE mining district. This suggests that there may be something of interest in the middle, directly below our feet, and it is our job to find out.
After a restless night, thanks mainly to the 24 hour sunshine, a hearty camp breakfast prepared for what will become a typical field day. Today, 4 other geos and I are flying out to ‘frontier’, an area of high Ni concentration within the property. Jim Pickell, a senior geologist with Anglo American, is my mentor. People say the best geologist is the one who has seen the most rocks and having spent most of his 59 years in the field Jim has seen more than most.
I spent the following 2 months field mapping, prospecting and soil sampling. I can honestly say it was my most enjoyable summer thus far, thanks, in part to the challenge of the lifestyle and environment, but mainly because of the nature of the work and the colleagues, or rather friends, I met along the way.
Nothing can substitute for field experience; it is what people
look for in a geologist. I took a huge amount away from STEP. I
visited a place few people will ever go. I learnt social dexterity,
the ability to respect differences of opinion and personality,
which become magnified when working in an intense environment, and
to overcome these to maintain a healthy working relationship. I
also made a number of great contacts within the business - people
who I would have never had the opportunity to meet, yet alone work
with, if it was not for STEP. Many of these contacts remain close
friends. STEP was also a major factor in gaining me full-time
employment in the mining industry.
When I tell people what I did that summer they say, "Wow it
sounds incredible"
my simple answer is invariably,
"Yes, it was!"
2007 STEP Mark in South Africa
Mark is currently studying Earth Sciences at Glasgow University. Mark went to South Africa during his placement with the Exploration division.
"The STEP placement provided me with a comprehensive insight into Exploration, far exceeding my expectations in every aspect. I also undertook a few truly unforgettable opportunities diving with great white sharks, table mountain, and the Kruger safari park."
"I would not hesitate to recommend the programme to anyone curious about what can be achieved and experienced through such a career path."
2007 STEP Yvonne in Namibia
Yvonne is currently studying for her Masters in Earth Minerals at Utrecht University. Yvonne worked in Exploration in Namibia during her STEP placement.
Are there no mines in The Netherlands? How could you then possibly have chosen to become a geologist?
"This has been the main question my Namibian colleagues asked. The above statement - that there are no mines in The Netherlands - is not entirely true, but true enough compared to other countries."
"Furthermore big mountains and large mineral deposits are not a necessity to need or want to become a geologist. Although in my opinion, mountains and minerals do make the job of a geologist a lot more exciting!"
"I truly enjoyed my placement in Namibia and learned a lot from the way mineral exploration is organised and how it is to work with cultures so different than my own. Exchanging knowledge (to learn, teach and discuss) was a common thing. This was not always geology or work related; I even speak a bit of Oshiwambo now!"
2007 STEP Shannon in Chile
Shannon is a MEng graduate from the Camborne School of Mines, and travelled to Santiago to undertake a placement with Anglo Base.
I was based in Anglo Americans Santiago office working on Total Cost of Ownership Models; but it was far from office based and I visited many of their operations and manufacturers throughout Chile."
"It was a great introduction to the mining industry in Chile, as well the culture & beauty of this country.
2007 STEP Kealeboga in Ireland
Kealeboga is currently in his third year of a four-year Masters degree in Mineral Processing Engineering at Leeds University. He worked at our Lisheen mine during his placement.
"I was fortunate to get a placement with Anglo Base Metals at the Lisheen mine, which produces lead and zinc concentrates, spending 10 weeks doing a project in the processing plant, particularly the leach circuit."
"This was good exposure for me since the concepts learnt there are applicable to part of my current academic year material. I was really instilled by operations; good relations between various departments and most importantly the safety awareness and measures applied there."
