Geologist - Working conditions
Kaitai Aro Whenua
Working Conditions
Geologists work in a range of places, including offices, laboratories and mines. They may also work at isolated sites and in rugged country. Geologists working on underground mine sites spend some time underground in dark, dirty and cramped conditions.
Geologists may spend time travelling to worksites in New Zealand or overseas.
Ed Radley collecting coal samples for testing
Equipment
Equipment geologists may use includes:
- computers and specialised computer software, including mapping software
- draughting equipment
- mapping equipment
- a Clar compass (a compass that logs cracks in rocks)
- hand tools, such as picks and buckets, to collect samples
- scientific equipment such as microscopes and x-ray equipment
- aerial photographs
- stereoscopes for looking at aerial photographs in three dimensions
- office equipment
- a vehicle.
Mine geologists often use hand tools when working with coal
Hours
The hours geologists work vary and often depend on the type of work they are doing. Geologists in research institutes, universities and councils often work regular hours, whereas geologists working on mine sites often work irregular hours as required.
"I usually work the hours it takes to get the job done, so some days I will get to go home early and other days I might have to stay longer or come back in the evening."
Rob Boyd - Geologist
Contact with people
Geologists work independently and as part of a team. They often supervise technicians and research assistants. Geologists interact with a wide range of people including other geologists and scientists, local government officials, members of the public and the media.
If working for a mining company, geologists interact with:
- miners
- mining contractors
- mine managers
- production managers
- planning, ventilation and mining engineers.
"We try to have some sort of relationship with different research organisations so we can work on collaborative projects with them."
Karen Higgs - Reservoir Geologist
Updated
September 2009
