When most people think about mining, they think of old photos of dusty, charcoaled men. While the profession is still a dirty job underground, it has changed a lot over the years. Mining remains relevant as the transition to renewable energy lags behind because few people want to do the job. That's why it is still lucrative. It pays well and gets into the blood of those who hold onto the identity of a miner. There is a lot of pressure on mining companies to focus on safety and regulatory measures. One accident can lead to losing a lot of money and damage to their reputation. Mining is still lucrative, but it requires a lot of MSHA training, otherwise known as the training provided by the Mining Safety and Health Administration.
Training
Now every new miner has to take safety and health administration training in 46 courses. With a minimum of 24 hours within the first 90 days of employment, four of those hours must be completed prior to beginning work. In addition to taking these training courses before you get to work as a miner, you also have to take eight hours of courses each year to refresh your skills. With these standards in place it not only makes the job safer it levels up the profession, which actually pays pretty well.
Compensation
Mining hasn't always been a fairly lucrative profession, but as time goes on less people want to do it. Since there are less and less employees, these jobs pay relatively well. Of course there is no amount of money which can make up for the possible health complications that come with spending so much time underground breathing in charcoal smoke, but if you are willing to take the risk you will typically be rewarded for it. You can carve out a nice life for yourself with little education and skills that can be taught on the job. Nobody is saying that mining will make you rich, but it is a way for many people to provide for their families. They should be paid more, but it is still possible to make a decent living. Furthermore, the job seems to become integral to the identity of the workers.
Identity of a Miner
Mining is a job that is passed down the generations. When a child's father is a miner, they are taught to respect the job and the person who does it. It was, after all, the backbone of America's energy boom. We would not have the prosperity we enjoy without the mining revolution and company towns that cultivated this identity and lifestyle. While it is difficult for a lot of people to understand this, there is no question why it is. The identity of the miner is strong and isn't going away as fast as people think it is.
Energy Transition
Most people know that the transition to renewable energy is not as fast as many desire. Others understand that there is a lot of money in the business of energy and that it is a fight against the powers that be. While mining is undoubtedly a source of dirty energy, it makes sense that it is still a part of our lifestyle as Americans. Mining is slowly dying, and will one day become a profession of the past, but for now it remains a lucrative profession.
No one is saying that mining is necessarily good for the world or the people who are doing the work. But it is an integral part of our history and it is no surprise why it is so inextricably tied to the identity of miners. They were once on the level of doctors and lawyers as far as respect goes. Now they are much lower on the totem pole. Still it is so important to show these people respect. Not only do they put themselves in harm's way for energy we all use, they are typically good, hard-working people who simply want to provide for their families. Mining won't always be a well-paying profession, it is going away. But for now it remains a way for many men to make a living for their families.