Mining work in transition: experts’ predictions on changes and transformations for miners

Abstract This article examines how organizational and technological developers envision the future of miners’ work, given the green transition and ongoing technological development. The results are based on survey data from 44 experts across the EU and Australia. The results show that mining work will become more digitalized, automated, and remotely controlled, yet human presence will remain essential. Experts anticipate higher competence requirements, continuous learning, and the development of new hybrid skill sets that combine technical and operational expertise. At the same time, a tension becomes clear: although experts emphasize the need for further education, many express doubts about miners’ willingness and ability to participate in further education, and highlight scheduling constraints in everyday operations, indicating how perceptions and organizational conditions can limit learning in practice. To bridge this gap, mining companies require proactive collaboration among experts, developers, and miners to align competence development with emerging technologies, ensuring an inclusive and sustainable transition.