The importance of the minerals industry to Australia is briefly reviewed
and the professional specialists essential for the industry identified. The
average first degree graduation numbers in geoscience, mining
engineering, metallurgy/materials and chemical engineering are shown
and compared with the postgraduate numbers. Demographic trends in population are reviewed and the implications
for the required numbers of trained specialists indicated. Short/medium and long-term possible solutions to potential shortages
of trained personnel are canvassed.