Description
At its core, ergonomics can be described as the study of human centered work environments. Education and training delivery are key aspects of an ergonomic program, as is environment modification and the use of tools to accomplish tasks. Change in various industries such as air travel, office settings, food processing, manufacturing and more has taken place in an ergonomic sense. Lifting limits established, proper movement patterns integrated into training, workstations optimized, injury prevention top of mind. In geology, particularly in mineral exploration, the gap is evident.
Despite the popular ideology that the historical status quo is effective and efficient, facts do not support this. Between 2020 and 2025, the estimated total drilling in Canada was 44 to 46 million meters. From 2000 to 2005 it estimated to sit at 21 and 28 million meters. In contrast, the number of geologists has not changed proportionally. On average, a modern geologist is seeing 3,500m (or ~37%) core than their predecessors.
So how do we manage this on front lines – AKA in core shacks? Other industries facing similar challenges have turned to technology. A specific example of this is the shift in car manufacturing that is producing a similar number of vehicles annually despite recent skilled labour shortages. Ergonomic workstations, integration of autonomous technology and reductions in manual labour requirements enable this.
Core processing facilities have seen some improvements, but they are highly company specific and heterogenous in their implementation. The most common change observed is lifting limits, ergonomic movement recommendations, anti-fatigue mats and reduced-slip flooring. This is an excellent start, but more can be done to ensure that geologists and technicians, the drivers of mineral discovery and mining itself, can perform their jobs safely, effectively, and without worry for injury.