Communication and information needs of earth science engineers

The paper attempts to define the information needs of earth science engineers: mining, engineering geology, soil and rock mechanics. The approach was to investigate these needs in relation to the environment in which the engineer lives and works, his organisation, team and leadership, and partly to his own traits. The roles of engineers as researchers, linkers and practitioners are defined. The information needs and sources are related to the career stages of engineers, their duties and responsibilities. In conclusions, recommendations for a viable information retrieval system are briefly discussed.The methodology of the work was based on questionnaires, interviews, visits to organisations, study of correspondence and diary, analysis of citations and evaluation of two abstracts journals which exist in the field. The SPSS computer package was used for analysis of the results of questionnaires.