There are many paths that lead to a career in mining, and yet Mike Eiselein, Process Manager at Barrick Goldstrike Mines, has a unique story to tell.

He came to mining after a football scholarship led him to Montana Tech University. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, but excelled at math and science, so metallurgy seemed to be a natural fit.

“I did some internship assignments in a gold processing plant during my summers in college and really loved the work,” he said. “The rest is history.”

Eiselein has worked in mining for a total of 23 years, 13 of which he worked at Barrick, and is particularly grateful for the opportunities the industry has opened up in his life—personally, professionally and economically.

“This career has provided an excellent standard of living for me and my family,” he said. “I’ve lived and worked in interesting places and had many interesting career challenges over the years.”

Eiselein reflects positively on the improvements to the mining industry over the years.

“The mining industry has evolved dramatically over the years to become more sustainable and socially responsible,” he said.

He stressed a need for increased technology and human resources in mining, saying that the industry should provide exciting challenges for young professionals for decades to come. Eiselein is absolutely confident that mining will continue to be crucial in the future.

“The fact remains that raw materials, metals and energy create wealth and drive economies…the need for mining and minerals careers will always be there,” he said.