However, survey samples were not designed to be statistically representative of the global workforce or student population. Furthermore, responses rely on self-reported perceptions and experiences, which may introduce subject bias. In terms of ethical considerations, the study was administered through voluntary participation, and all responses were anonymized. The only identifying features were school year (students) and the most recent employer (professionals). All participants were briefed on the research and purpose of the study before survey completion. 4. Results: Student Surveys 4.1 Perception of Mining and Career Awareness Student survey results reveal a structural gap between recognition of mining's societal importance and its attractiveness as a career option. While 73.4% of respondents identified mining as highly relevant to future development—particularly in relation to the energy transition, battery supply chains, and infrastructure expansion—this recognition did not translate into career consideration. More than 92% of respondents reported that they had never seriously considered pursuing a career in mining. This divergence between perceived societal importance and personal career attractiveness suggests that awareness of macro-level relevance alone is insufficient to influence early-stage career filtering decisions. Rather, students appear to separate the industry’s functional necessity from its personal desirability. Qualitative responses further indicate that awareness tends to be abstract rather than experiential. Students recognize mining’s role in global systems but lack concrete understanding of occupational pathways, technological roles, and advancement structures. This gap reflects a Pipeline Gap mechanism rooted in informational distance and limited structured exposure rather than outright rejection of the industry. Figure 1 – Students’ Perception of Mining’s Relevance for the Future Figure 2– Proportion of Students Who View Mining as a Viable Career Option 98
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