Case studies: Exploration geologist: Adam Hughes

Adam works on drilling campaigns in Australia's outback...

After finishing my geology degree and Masters in applied environmental geoscience at Cardiff University , I entered the working world at a time of great economic crisis in the UK.

I managed to find a job by referral from a friend with a leading ground improvement contractor, where I acted as geotechnical and contracts engineer for two months before making the decision to follow my intended career path, geology.

This saw me make the move to Australia, where I now work for AngloAmerican in the coalfields of the Central Bowen Basin, North Queensland. My role sees me visiting remote sites in the outback of Australia's diverse bushlands to log, sample and test strata from hundreds of metres underground.

The work I carry out helps in the planning of subsurface 3D models of potential coal reserves in quantities of hundreds of millions of tonnes.

The geological skills I learned during my degree are extremely useful in my current role. They include the planning of drilling campaigns based on the extrapolation of strata data, the carrying out of field tests on core and chip samples, geophysical analysis and interpretation of data, and some basic modelling of coal seams.

Key transferable skills I also developed include managerial and leadership skills, as well as the ability to plan and make business decisions. Although my Masters topics were less relevant, having a Masters qualification has definitely given me a huge edge. The organisational skills and discipline I gained from the Masters are also valuable.

As part of my training to work here in Australia, I have learned advanced defensive 4WD (four wheel drive) skills and senior first aid, as well as taking various management level courses and coal mine-based supervisory qualifications. I even attended a defensive snake-handling course.

What I like most about my job is getting access to the stratigraphical data before the modellers. I particularly enjoy extrapolating the data to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the next borehole. These holes cost upwards of $100,000 each and we drill hundreds - the more accurate your data, the cheaper the holes; cheaper holes lead to a bigger bonus and a massive sense of achievement.

I also love the environment where I work. This morning on my way out to a borehole I saw a king brown snake, three emus, a wild boar and a tree frog.

What I find challenging is the project planning and management of drilling campaigns, mainly the administration aspects, and trying to create a strong rapport between departments.

My advice to other students interested in a career in geology is to pick topics within geology you enjoy, even if people ask 'how are you going to get a job with that?'. Get as much work experience as you can and be prepared to move to another country. Be prepared to work away from cities and creature comforts.

Learn to stop, think and plan before you start tasks; there is a huge safety culture emerging in vocational geology and related disciplines, and being able to prove that you possess a higher awareness of safety will increase your chances at interview.

AGCAS

Sourced by AGCAS editors

Date: 

November 2012

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