Operations Intern (Engineering) Wedron, IL

Iron Oak Energy, a leading provider of proppant to the oil and gas industry with a differentiated footprint of low-cost, logistically advantaged mining and terminal assets serving all major U.S. shale basins. Iron Oak Energy Solutions, formed from the strategic combination of Covia Energy and Black Mountain Sand to create a premier frac sand mining company, delivering superior products and solutions to diversified oil and natural gas markets across North America. The combination positions Iron Oak Energy with unmatched scale, reliability, and deliverability to customers in all major oil and gas shale plays.

The Iron Oak Energy Solutions (IOES) Summer Internship Program is designed to develop future industry professionals who demonstrate alignment with our mission, values, and commitment to operational excellence. 

This program is designed to develop future industry professionals who demonstrate IOES’s Five Pillars of Operational Excellence: Safety, Service, People, Quality, and Cost, while contributing to projects that support business performance and operational sustainability.

This intern opportunity will provide Mechanical / Mining / Engineering students with hands-on experience in mining and industrial operations. Interns will work alongside operations leadership and technical teams to gain exposure to plant and mining processes, safety practices, quality standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The internship duration is approximately 10–12 weeks and includes project-based work, mentorship, and direct exposure to site operations in the Northern White Sand market, located in Wedron, IL.

Key Responsibilities

• Learn, and adhere to, the safety principles of Iron Oak Energy including PPE, MSHA regulation, industrial hygiene, workplace inspections, etc.


• Work with the Long Range Mine Planner and Mine Supervisor to gain a basic understanding of mining processes, including drilling, blasting, haulage, surveying, sampling, etc.


• Work with the Operations Manager and Production Supervisors to gain a basic understanding of wet process, drying, screening, loading, quality control, sampling, data management, reporting, continuous improvement, etc.


• Work with the Environmental Health and Safety Supervisor to gain a basic understanding of permitting, regulatory requirements, reporting, reclamation, and all safety practices etc.


• Work with the Maintenance Manager, Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance Planner, and Purchasing Supervisor to gain a basic understanding of preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, purchasing, scheduling, etc.


• Assist the salaried staff as needed to address technical problems and/or projects


• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in Engineering (mining, mechanical, industrial, chemical, etc.) or a related field of study from an accredited university


• Enrolled at an accredited college or university


• Interest in mining, industrial operations, or manufacturing environments


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills


• Effective communication and interpersonal skills


• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment


• Willingness to work in field and industrial settings.

Preferred Qualifications

• College Junior or Senior standing


• Demonstrated technical aptitude or mechanical understanding


• Prior internship, project, or field experience in operations or engineering


• Strong safety mindset and commitment to operational excellence

Work Environment

• Onsite work in a mining and industrial plant environment located in Wedron, IL.


• Exposure to heavy equipment, production processes, and field conditions


• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required

Program Objectives

• Develop future operations and engineering talent


• Provide real-world industry experience


• Support operational improvement and innovation


• Identify high-potential candidates for future employment opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer
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