Mining Industry Trends 2025: Booming Market, Better Hiring

As of Q2 2025, the mining market across the Americas continues to perform with remarkable strength. Global demand for critical minerals like lithium, copper, and rare earth elements is fueling long-term project investment—especially as nations advance their goals in clean energy, electric mobility, and the energy transition.

Canada, the U.S., and Latin America are at the heart of this global mining boom. From major expansion projects in North America to large-scale development across Latin America, the region is rich in opportunity—and rich in need for talent.

At the same time, the competitive edge is shifting. The companies that move first to secure skilled white-collar professionals will be the ones best positioned to lead the next mining cycle.

That’s where Brunel comes in. With 50 years in global recruitment, a team of mining specialists with 50+ years of combined experience, and deep roots across the Americas, Brunel is uniquely positioned to help organizations build high-performing teams to traverse mining industry trends 2025 and beyond.

While other industries have faced headwinds from changing global trade policies, the mining sector has remained on steady ground. Recent tariffs implemented in the U.S. have largely excluded key minerals and mining equipment, reinforcing the industry’s strategic importance.

This clarity has translated into market confidence. For hiring managers and project owners, this is a green light: long-term project development and workforce investments can continue without disruption.

Mining isn’t just weathering change—it’s thriving through it.

At Brunel, we see this reflected in our clients’ priorities. Companies are moving ahead with workforce planning, scaling operations, and increasing demand for specialized technical talent across the project lifecycle—from exploration and engineering to project management and sustainability roles.

Latin America continues to be one of the most active regions for mining development. Rich in natural resources and increasingly attractive to international investors, the region is positioned for long-term growth—especially in the production of critical minerals essential to the global energy transition.

This expansion is creating a growing demand for white-collar professionals with mining expertise. Engineering, procurement, HSE, ESG, and operations roles are in high demand, and companies across the region are competing for a limited pool of qualified professionals.

Brunel supports mining projects across Latin America with localized recruitment, cultural expertise, and a global standard of delivery. Whether you need to hire technical talent for a project ramp-up or require full workforce management support, we ensure your operations run smoothly, compliantly, and efficiently.

In Canada and the United States, mining remains a cornerstone of the economy. Activity is especially strong in critical minerals, with both countries increasing federal and private sector investment in the exploration and processing of materials essential to national supply chains.

In Canada, the industry continues to lead in ESG innovation and digital transformation—creating a steady need for professionals in environmental services, engineering, permitting, and stakeholder engagement.

The U.S. market remains steady and increasingly focused on workforce modernization. As experienced professionals retire and new projects come online, mining companies are seeking experienced mid-career professionals who can bridge institutional knowledge with modern best practices.

Brunel is proud to support clients across Canada and the U.S. with tailored recruitment strategies that align with regional regulations, cultural expectations, and project needs. Whether you’re hiring for corporate roles, site-level leadership, or contract specialists, our team delivers.

According to Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), 23% of organizations are likely to be seriously considering consolidating the number of staffing suppliers or agencies they use in the next 2 years.

This shift toward consolidation is driven by a need for consistency, speed, and quality. With fewer partners, companies can streamline their hiring process, improve compliance, and reduce misalignment between recruiters and project expectations.

At Brunel, we offer full-service recruitment support tailored to the mining sector. Our team speaks your language, understands your project lifecycle, and has deep technical insight into every white-collar role you need to fill.

With Brunel, you don’t just gain access to candidates—you gain a strategic hiring partner who removes the burden of recruitment, compliance, and workforce management.

As the mining industry modernizes, workforce models are shifting. 47% of companies plan to incorporate contingent workforce planning into their corporate strategy within the next two years, according to SIA.

Brunel helps mining organizations respond to this trend by offering agile contract hire and workforce management solutions that scale with your needs. Whether you need a temporary engineering team, a project-based procurement expert, or multiple specialists across sites, we manage the entire contractor lifecycle—from sourcing to compliance to payroll.

We also offer exceptional contractor care, ensuring the people you hire feel supported, safe, and ready to perform. This not only boosts retention, it enhances your employer brand across the industry.

As governments and companies worldwide race to secure critical mineral supply chains, the talent needed to develop and deliver these resources is more vital than ever. From battery material specialists and metallurgists to project managers and ESG professionals, today’s mining workforce must be technically exceptional and future-focused.

At Brunel, we’ve built recruitment pipelines specifically for top mining projects. We understand the cross-disciplinary expertise these roles require and can help you identify, attract, and retain top-tier professionals across North and Latin America.

Here’s why some of the top mining operators across the Americas trust Brunel to staff their most important white-collar roles:

50 Years of Global Recruitment Excellence

We’ve supported some of the world’s largest resource projects across every cycle.

Mining-Focused Expertise

Our team has over 50 years of combined mining recruitment experience—meaning faster, more accurate matches.

Pan-Americas Coverage

With presence across Canada, the U.S., and Latin America, we offer on-the-ground insight with global best practices.

Exceptional Contractor Care

We don’t just fill roles—we manage and support your workforce from day one.

Full-Service Workforce Management

From onboarding to logistics to compliance, we remove the burden of hiring and administration.

Flexible Solutions: Direct Hire, Contract, or RPO

We meet your hiring needs, whether you’re staffing for the long-term or mobilizing a short-term project team.

Tired of juggling recruiters, job boards, and compliance paperwork? We've got you covered.

The mining industry in the Americas is not just surviving—it’s thriving. With demand for critical minerals soaring, new projects advancing, and trade policies supportive of mining expansion, the stage is set for long-term success.

But success depends on people. The professionals who plan, operate, manage, and sustain mining projects are more essential than ever—and the race for talent is accelerating.

Whether you’re building a workforce from the ground up or optimizing your current team, Brunel is the recruitment partner you can count on. We bring industry-specific expertise, regional knowledge, and global reach—so you can stay focused on delivering results.

The future of mining is being built now. Build it with Brunel.