Mining engineering, metallurgy and minerals-related geology have proud traditions and are essential professions to support a safe and sustainable minerals industry. However, the future of these professions is under threat. The courses that produce such graduates are disappearing worldwide and the number of graduates available to enter the industry has been falling in English speaking countries for at least a decade. It is unlikely that this problem will be remedied by supply and demand'. Instead, some active intervention is required._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:McCarthy, P L, 2004 The mining professions - the way forward, in Proceedings New Leaders' 2005, pp 1-4 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).