At the National Museum of Science and Technology in Stockholm, global industry leaders discuss how to inspire the next generation to see opportunity in the mining, a topic highlighted in a new Talent Report by Sandvik.
The roundtable brought together Björn Axelsson, Head of HR, Professor Elisabeth Clausen of RWTH Aachen University, Pär Sundqvist, Senior Mining Engineer at LKAB and Joan Melendez Misner, Spacecraft Integration Engineer at NASA.
As demand for critical materials accelerates, awareness of the industry remains limited. Findings from the new Talent Report from Sandvik reveal both the challenge and the opportunity ahead: nearly half of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) students say they don’t know enough about mining to consider it as a career—yet 90 percent would, if they understood its role in the green transition.
Modern mines are high-tech, automated and safety-driven—nothing like the outdated image of ‘dirty, dusty, dangerous,’” said Elisabeth Clausen. “We need to show what mining really is.”
That perception shift reaches beyond the industry itself. Moderator Joan Melendez Misner noted, “The components that power our satellites and the climate insights they deliver, come from mining. Mining enables the technologies that help people on Earth.”
For Björn Axelsson, transforming that understanding starts with authenticity. “We let our people tell the story,” he said. “We advance the world through engineering, improving conditions for communities and helping customers decarbonize. That’s the purpose we share with the next generation.”
Technology is also reshaping how students connect with the field. “We train with simulators and VR,” explained Pär Sundqvist. “Some even use Xbox controllers to operate equipment. It’s a great way to show how cool it is to work in this field.”
Universities are responding with innovation of their own. Clausen highlighted initiatives such as hackathons, industry internships, guest lectures on cutting-edge technologies, and international collaborations. “Once we get students connected to our field, we see a change in mindsets,” she said. “They understand that mining is something different from what they perceived.”
As the discussion closed, one message resonated clearly: the industry offers everything today’s purpose-driven STEM students are seeking: cutting-edge technology, meaningful climate impact, and the chance to solve some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
As Sundqvist summed it up, “Mining is cool.” Now it’s time to make sure the next generation knows it.
By Sandvik – https://www.home.sandvik/en/news-and-media/news/2025/11/roundtable-explores-bridging-talent-gap-in-mining/