The research released today showed average salaries for mineral professionals fell 19% over the two-year period from 2012, while the average working week increased by four hours.

Many professionals in the field — including geoscientists and mining engineers — are earning less in 2014 than they did in 2008, without adjusting for inflation.

Unemployment among minerals professionals in the sector has continued to increase, while workers are placed under more pressure due to industry downturn.

AusIMM chief executive Michael Catchpole said the research showed the toll the minerals downturn has had on industry professionals.

“Minerals professionals have experienced a roller-coaster with strong job opportunities and salaries growth during the minerals boom, and a sudden and significant downward adjustment in the last two years,” he said.

“This was evident in the AusIMM’s recent employment report which showed that unemployment among Australian mineral professionals had climbed sharply to more than 12%.

“Our research paints clear warning signals that minerals professionals are being burned by the boom-to-bust cycle of the minerals sector. The AusIMM urges mining companies and governments to do everything they can to ensure that they don’t lose talented professionals from the sector.

“There must be a focus on supporting and developing minerals professionals to ensure we safeguard the future of the mining sector and Australia’s economic wellbeing.

“The AusIMM urges governments to focus on policies that reduce barriers to investment in the mining industry and cut red tape, encourage investment in exploration and innovation, and that support access to continuing professional development and to high-quality university qualifications for the minerals professionals of the future.”

According to the AusIMM, minerals professionals face an unemployment rate (12.2%) double that of the current national rate (6.1%).