If the price is high, then companies will invest in a mine. Millions of dollars must be invested in material moving equipment and ore processing technology to operate a mine. The prices of the products made from metals and minerals needs to be high enough to make the investment worthwhile. Prices for mined products have been unstable. However, the demand for metals and minerals is predicted to increase soon.
Demand is likely to come from auto manufacturing and the repair of the nation's roadways.
The long-term prediction for mining is thought to be favorable. However, a mine takes years of research, planning, and development to become fully operational. Thus it may not contribute to growth in employment opportunities for mining engineers. Preparation Graduates with a degree in a physical science or mathematics may sometimes be enough to get an engineering job. This is especially true in engineering specialties that are in high demand.