The group, one of the top professional trade organizations in the US, said there was a rise in the number of SME student chapters and student members.

That trend, it said, was global.

“The number of SME's international student chapters has doubled from six in 2008 to 12 in 2013,” the group said.

“Furthermore, the society experienced a 63% increase in student membership during that time,” adding that 1024 total student members in 2008 from 22 US and international chapters has grown to 1615 student members from 32 chapters worldwide in 2013.

“Student chapters of SME offer the first opportunity for a young person to engage in the world of mining outside of the classroom,” the society said.

“The exceptional growth in the numbers of student members can be attributed to the global demand for mining professionals," SME executive director David Kanagy said, noting that the group is doing all it can to help those younger professionals grow.

“Through dedicated marketing and cultivating relationships with institutes of higher learning worldwide, we have been able to offer opportunities to more students through SME programs which help them develop the skills that will be sought after by potential employers.”