Bethany Cleaver, Chartered Mineral Surveyor at SLR Consulting Limited, is not just shaping landscapes—she’s helping to shape futures. With a vibrant passion for geology, sustainability, and education, Bethany brings energy and purpose to a career that many might not even know exists.

From Rocks to Real Estate: A Career Built on Curiosity

Bethany’s journey began at Keele University, where she studied Geoscience. “I’ve always been fascinated by the Earth—how it works, what’s beneath our feet, and how we use those resources,” she says. After graduating, she joined Wardell Armstrong (now SLR Consulting) and dove straight into the minerals industry. While working full-time, she pursued a master’s in Real Estate—a demanding challenge she tackled head-on. “It was tough, no doubt, but absolutely worth it,” she reflects.

Her determination paid off when she completed her Assessment of Professional Competency and earned her chartered status. Today, Bethany’s role is as varied as the minerals she surveys. From managing leases for quarries to conducting Mineral Resource Assessments and planning applications, she thrives on the diversity. “No two days are the same—and that’s exactly why I love it.”

A Voice for Sustainability and Progress

Bethany is deeply invested in the future of the minerals and mining sector. She’s excited by the industry’s shift toward sustainable practices and its critical role in the green energy transition. “We’ll always need minerals—especially those vital to renewable technologies—but it’s our responsibility to access them ethically and sustainably.”

Whether she’s writing technical reports or auditing operational sites, Bethany brings a thoughtful, forward-looking approach to her work. “It keeps you on your toes but it’s also incredibly rewarding to be part of something that’s constantly evolving.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Bethany’s enthusiasm doesn’t stop with the day job, she’s a proud ambassador for Minerals Matter and has been involved in some great projects including the Minerals Mission boxes. One of her favourite outreach moments was a Careers Week at a primary school in Stoke-on-Trent. “I gave a talk on rocks, dinosaurs, and fossils—and the kids were amazing! They were so enthusiastic, asking questions, holding fossils, and sharing what they already knew. It was brilliant.”

She used interactive tools like maps, quizzes, and word searches from The Future is Mine and Minerals Matter, which helped bring Earth Sciences to life for the students. “Seeing their eyes light up when they held a fossil or learned about a dinosaur was just the best feeling.”

Representation Matters

Bethany is passionate about making the industry more inclusive. “We’re still a male-dominated field, and we need to do better with succession planning. There are so many incredible roles—quarry managers, plant operators, surveyors—but if young people don’t know they exist, how can they aspire to them?”

Her message is clear: visibility is key. “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it,” she says. Through her work with Minerals Matter, Bethany is helping ensure that the next generation—especially girls and underrepresented students—can see a future for themselves in the minerals sector.