The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy said the mining boom had resulted in an increase in minerals-related university students and there was now more students than vacation employment places on mine sites.

As a result, some students would only be awarded degrees months after they graduated.

AusIMM chairman Chris Davis said all these students wanted was to have a go on a mine site over the summer holidays and learn about the industry.

“According to the Department of Mines and Petroleum there were about 200 active mining operations [excluding oil and gas] in Western Australia, with more than 85,000 staff on these sites,” he said.

“Surely our industry can find short-term work to train 200 future mining industry professionals.”

AusIMM said students who required vocational work include those from the University of Western Australia, Curtin University of Technology, the WA School of Mines and Murdoch University.

Later this month AusIMM will be hosting an event to bring together mining industry companies and vacation work-ready students.