The mining industry offers a wide range of career opportunities, and no two journeys are ever the same. In this fourth instalment of our “Career Paths into Mining” series, we share the stories of four leaders who have taken very different routes into the sector, from geology and finance to asset management and international business.
These accounts highlight the varied backgrounds, decisions, and experiences that have shaped their careers and show the breadth of career paths into mining today. While their paths are unique, they all demonstrate how determination, adaptability, and a willingness to seize opportunities can lead to leadership roles in mining.
Adam Oehlman – CEO, African Gold
Adam Oehlman’s introduction to mining came early, through family connections. His grandfather was a coal miner in New South Wales, while his father, an avid collector of rocks, minerals and fossils, nurtured his interest through camping trips and sapphire hunting on the New England Range. This early passion was reinforced by a chance meeting with a Western Australian geologist, which helped solidify his decision to pursue a mining career.
After finishing high school, Adam chose to study geology at Curtin University, home to the Western Australian School of Mines, recognising it as one of Australia’s leading mining institutions. Upon graduating, he joined Northern Star Resources’ graduate program. He credits his progress to a strong work ethic, supportive mentors, and being part of high-performing teams.
Adam’s career has taken him from site-based geology roles in gold operations to the corporate sphere, where he was drawn to business development and mergers and acquisitions. His long-term ambition was to lead his own company, a goal he is now realising. His advice to those starting out is to have a clear plan, keep doors open, seek guidance from people already in the roles you aspire to, and remain open to new ideas, emphasising that opportunities often come to those who ask.
Robert Eckford – CEO, Rua Gold
Robert Eckford is an accountant by training but has spent his entire career in mining. Robert’s journey shows how career paths into mining can begin in one discipline. His interest in the sector began early, influenced by his father, who was a mining investor. Even during his time at EY, he specialised in auditing and consulting for mining companies, never working outside the industry. Describing himself as a “mining nerd,” he has a particular interest in macroeconomic, political and geological discussions.
Robert’s professional journey has combined finance expertise with hands-on operational exposure. He has spent significant time on site, including living in the Congo on a copper mine, and has worked extensively across Mexico, Colombia and Brazil. Before joining Rua Gold, he served as CFO at Aris Mining, where his focus was on financial performance, operational efficiencies and linking finance with the practical realities of mining operations.
Now, as CEO of Rua Gold, Robert’s role is broader, requiring him to “wear every hat.” He remains closely involved in all aspects of the business, from political considerations to capital markets and operational decision-making. He values the variety and scope of working in a smaller company environment, where he can draw on both his financial acumen and his deep understanding of mining.
Alex Walker – CEO, East Star Resources
Alex Walker grew up in Mandurah, just south of Perth, Western Australia, and began his career in mining finance, something he notes is a common pathway for many in the state. He spent around six to seven years with Patersons Securities in Perth before relocating to London to run the firm’s office there. After more than a year in that role, he joined a local London boutique investment banking firm, followed by a year with Pareto Securities, a Norwegian bank.
During this time, Alex founded his first ASX-listed small-cap company, Scandi Vanadium. While searching globally for sediment-hosted vanadium projects, his team identified Kazakhstan as a promising mining jurisdiction. A first visit in 2019 led to further exploration, and although their initial target did not meet expectations, they reviewed approximately 150 projects in the country. This ultimately led to securing the initial licences that formed the foundation of East Star Resources.
Alex has since relocated to Kazakhstan with his family, where he values both the professional opportunities and the welcoming, diverse society. He notes the country’s mining legislation, introduced in 2018 and modelled on Western Australia’s, as a significant factor in attracting international investment and creating a supportive environment for exploration and development.
Ali Haji – CEO, American Tungsten Ltd
Ali Haji spent 12 years with Invesco in the asset management sector, working across Hong Kong, London and Toronto. His focus was on mergers and acquisitions integration, contributing to major transactions such as Morgan Stanley Van Kampen’s acquisition and AIG’s real estate business in Asia.
Around eight years ago, following a restructuring at Invesco, Ali entered the mining industry, a sector his father had worked in for over four decades. His first involvement was advising on the acquisition of the ATO project in Mongolia from Centerra, ultimately helping to list the company and guide it through to just before production.
In 2019, he co-founded Lithium Ion Energy, targeting lithium exploration in Mongolia, where significant deposits were identified. The company also acquired projects in Canada’s Northwest Territories and in 2023 signed a joint venture with a Chinese partner to develop its Mongolian assets to production, retaining a net smelter return royalty.
Alongside these ventures, Ali has served on the boards of several mining companies, including Antler Hill Mining and Aranjin Resources. His latest role is as CEO of American Tungsten Ltd, focused on the IBA mine in Idaho.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Mining Professionals
- Background diversity: Career paths into mining can begin in many fields – geology, finance, asset management, or corporate advisory, and still lead to leadership roles.
- Mentorship matters: Each professional highlighted the value of learning from experienced mentors and working within high-performing teams.
- Global exposure: Many of these leaders built their careers by working internationally, gaining experience across varied jurisdictions and commodities.
- Adaptability: Shifting between technical, financial and corporate roles, or across sectors, can open new opportunities in mining.
- Proactivity: Asking questions, seeking opportunities, and actively networking are recurring themes in their career progression.
These real-life career paths into mining illustrate that there is no single way into the mining industry, it is an industry that provides opportunities for those willing to take risks and embrace challenges.
To explore more real-life mining journeys, read Part 1, 2 and 3 of this series.
Listen to Dig Deep The Mining Podcast to discover more stories, experiences and career paths into mining from professionals across the global mining industry.
As part of our aim to support mining professionals with career advice and resources, we’ve developed a free CV Tips Guide. You can find it here.
Conclusion
The stories in this article demonstrate that career paths into mining are varied and often shaped by seizing opportunities at the right moment. The mining industry continues to attract people from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds, offering diverse career opportunities for those willing to adapt, learn and explore new frontiers. From early exposure through family connections to strategic shifts from other sectors, the leaders featured here demonstrate that there is no single route to success.
How We Support Career Growth in Mining
At Mining International, we understand that career paths into mining aren’t the same. Our tailored and consultative approach helps companies solve their hiring needs, completing on mandates we are engaged in – whether it’s finding an experienced technical leader or someone with transferable skills looking to make a meaningful impact in mining.
With two decades of search experience, we support both clients and candidates through every step of the process. Whether you’re planning a strategic hire or considering your next career move, we’re here to provide advice, insight, and guidance.
