Mine Work

[listo]

G'day Guys,
I see there are lots of mine workers on here, so for us guys that aren't in the mines but have some interest at getting in to that sector, could you please shed a little light?
For myself, i'd like to get long service first which is still 2 1/2 years away, so my question is, do i need to apply now to get a look in by then or when should i start to apply? Also, what do i need to get looked at?
I'd appreciate any feed back thanks. Anyone out there with questions, by all means, join in
Thanks
Listo

[DANBRI]

Do you have a trade?

[Symon]

What do you currently do?

[4wd26]

Your at Sarina- you shouldn't find it too difficult.
Ask around the locals down the pub- word of mouth will do you better (if you don't mind what you do) than paying for inductions/ heavy machine licences.

[Humbolt]

Good questions listo.
I am a qualified leccy (fitter/mechanic) and have been working in IT for last 5 years.
Currently thinking i need a change. Mining industry seems interesting.
Hows does getting into the industry work, is it a who you know affair? It seems once you're in, you're in......
Everyone always asks me, why are you not in the mines? Big money out there......
I am assuming it is big hours for big money though, is that correct? Is it mostly live locally or fly in/fly out?

[DANBRI]

It can be both. Most positions close to a capital city are harder to get. FIFO jobs just need a pulse.

There's heaps of work here in the Hunter. You will have to start on an average wage, though if you're any good it's not hard to move into a more demanding role for bigger $$$.

People are scared of the mining industry like it some kind of unknown elite beast, it's far from it. As much as people in mining will tell you it's a super specialised industry, it's really no different than any other industry. Extracting a natural product from the earth in a very simple nontechnical manner really. It's an old industry that hasn't changed all that much with time.

There are particular hazards inherit with mining, both open cut and underground - namely around heavy plant and equipment. underground has the bonus of going down a freaking big hole in the ground which creates manners of challenges - intrinsic safe equipment etc.

Have a chat with a couple recruiters and see what they're looking for. I do also believe a visit to the pub, chat to the lads in work gear and go from there.

[blackstump]

how do the fly in/out jobs work if you say live in Melbourne but dont mind working in WA or QLD for example. Is it a matter of having to relocate to a closer capital city.
This topic interests me also, I have often thought about it.

 

[dno]

I know someone who lives local in VIC and works in WA, commutes back and forward and it hasn't done his relationship a lot of good comes home and spends more time in the pub than at home. Then when not at the pub is busy playing catch up with mates and things that need doing around the house. Could be very hard on a relationship, but everyones differant.

[swanny]

Hey all,

 i work in the mining industry, i dont have a trade i am an operator, (drive trucks, graders, dozers etc), i was like most of u, always wanted to get some of the so called "big money", so after a term in the Army, i just researched and gained the info to have a crack.

It really depends wat u r looking for, IE trade related or operator type roll, from and operators point of view, if you have exprience driving heavy machinery, then you prob have a head start on someone who is a clean skin looking to operate the gear.

If you have a trade, and it can be transfered across to the industry, u shouldnt have to much of a hard time gaining entry, the industry is screaming for trade qual pers, also for operators for that matter.

Ur best bet would be to start with the labour higher company's, like TESA Mining, Pegasus Mining Services, and Work Pac, (Hunter Based) just to name a few, they provide all types of labour to the industry. Also watch the papers for vacancies, there is always advertisments there, try the local papers in the areas ur interested in, they also advertise. Check the internet, IE mining companies, thay sometimes advertise on the internet and not the papers.

If ur a clean skin with no exprience looking to operate equip, the industry is running a trainee scheme at present, again check the labour higher coys, and watch the papers and also the internet, search thru the relevant mining companyies for vacancies, but be aware it is slave labour, for the term of ur traineeship u will be on alot less money then the exp bloke, that is why they run them, (cheap pricks), once u have finshed ur traineeship u then go on better money.

Anyway enough from me, if u have any more questions or wont more info drop me a PM with a phone number and we can have good yarn about it.

Its a great job, except nite shift, money is great, but best of all time of is awesome, plenty of time for campin, when ur not freezin ur ares of like now.

[4wd26]

Good questions listo.
I am a qualified leccy (fitter/mechanic) and have been working in IT for last 5 years.
Currently thinking i need a change. Mining industry seems interesting.
Hows does getting into the industry work, is it a who you know affair? It seems once you're in, you're in......
Everyone always asks me, why are you not in the mines? Big money out there......
I am assuming it is big hours for big money though, is that correct? Is it mostly live locally or fly in/fly out?

For qualified people its not too hard- in fact I may have a job for you right here in Brissy 

Money- or bigger money is usually found in the remote places, some prefer lifestyle to money- but you sometimes need experience to have that choice.

[davo69 and the Nurse]

In regards to FIFO from one state to another, you normally have to pay from your capital city to capital city. Mines generally pick up the flights from there with flights to the nearest town or charter flight from city direct to site.

the Nurse

[Burnsy]

Mining is not all it's cracked up to be, I worked mining for 10 years both FIFO and living in mining towns (Kalgoorlie and Queenstown).  Even while based in towns there was a lot of flying (I worked in both Temora and Cobar from Queenstown!!).  Holidays were however few and far between as I never had time to take the leave owed to me and always only managed about a week a year and the rest was just paid out when you moved companies (which within the industry tends to be about once every 18 months).

As far as FIFO goes it suited me back then, but if you have a family I think it's bad news (especially seeing I am now a teacher and can look at it from what it does to kids).  I worked three different rosters whilst FIFO as I was management so my roster changed to whatever the current mine manager thought was best for the project at the time, as far as I am concerned - they pretty much all sucked. 

When back in town I just partied until the flight back and when on site I just went to the gym and slept until the flight home (of which I did not really have one, I just dossed wherever the fun was most times).  As soon as I met my wife I gave it the flick as lifestyle took precedent over money (of which I never really had that much of because you live to your means no matter what you earn).

When it came to blokes with families I always found there were two distinct groups working FIFO, there were those who hated being on site and could not wait to get home to their family and there were those who hated being home because they just got in the way and disturbed "the routine" and would always prefer to stay at site and do another shift if the option was there (sad really).

By all means give it a go but if you have a familiy and a stable job already think very carefully before you run off chasing dollars.  Family and lifestyle is much more important in the end.

[duggie]

http://jobsearch.careerone.com.au/jobs/?q=mining&cy=au

http://www.seek.com.au/JobSearch?DateRange=31&Keywords=mining&nation=3000&SearchFrom=quick

Hello  listo and interested others,
Having been in the mining industry all my working life finding a job for me has not been hard. I have posted up two of the main job placement sites used for this purpose. As you will see mining jobs/positions cover a very broad area.

Pending on what soft of position you are looking into and what sort of mining IE: underground hard rock, surface hard rock, underground coal, surface coal,oil and gas.
As well as there are many differing types of jobs-IE: truck or machine operator in all aspects of mining,drill and blast, mill/concentrator workers, field assistants for survey or geological , cleaners and cooks, addministration including experienced IT people, security, medical the list goes on.
Many people who have had no envolvment in mining are not aware that in many cases they already have skills that whould allow them to enter into the mining industry.
But those who choose to pursue a different kind of career to what their skill level is at will often be accepted in mining as a new starter be it surface or underground.  For example, if you were looking/wanting to be a machine operator but have no skills, apply for a truck driving position. The companies will and more than often accept new starters for truck driving positions, firstly because there is a massive shortage of experienced persons out there and secondly because a person can be and will be trained to a competent level to perform their duties as a truck driver/operator in a fairly short period of time. For the girls out there, some of the best truck drivers/operators if have seen were women.
Then as time goes by those who can show that they want to achieve higher levels of skill will more than often be trained in different kinds of machines.
This also applies to mill/concentrator positions and all aspects of the mining industry.
Most companies in Australia will employ people through a labour hire company, then after a period of time, normally three months will transferee those people onto their own books.
FIFO- fly in fly out, is the most common type of work within the mining industry as most mines are not near the built up areas,  Depends on what company, be it direct hire or labour hire you will be flown out from your point of hire. Therefore the cost you have to get to/from your point of hire will come out of your pocket and in most cases is not TAX deductable.
I could go on for a very long time on this subject as it is very close to my heart, and over the years I have been able to employ or train many new starters into both hard rock underground and/or surface mining.
If you’re looking for a life change, the mining industry may be what you are chasing, you will never never now unless you have a go.
Cheers duggie.

[Symon]

I would add the following advice in addition to the good information in the previous posts -

- 'Getting in' to the mines these days is a lot easier than it used to be due to the skills shortage.  If you have no skills (a 'clean skin') then the easiest way is to apply with a contractor who services the mines, as they are the most likely to give you a go, work with them for a couple of years and get some experience (and a bit of a name for youself) and then look elsewhere.  The mines themselves generally will only seek experienced workers (although some will take in clean skins from time to time).

- If you are married/have a family/in a long term relationship be warned - mine workers suffer some of the (if not the most) highest rates of divorce in the country.  This is especially the case with FIFO and DIDO.  Look at your roster, most will be even time so you spend half of the year at work.  You will be working weekends.  Sit down and have a serious chat with your partner/wife/husband about how this will impact you.  Money is NOT everything.

- Most of the mines are in remote areas, this means there are few services out there.  If you relocate think about the impact this will have on you and your partner/spouse/family.  If you FIFO this means you will not be able to get back home in a hurry if something goes wrong - seriously think about this and what impact it will have.

- On the money thing, if you get a letter of offer read the entire package and all the fine print.  There are a lot of dodgy operators out there.  Make sure you understand what is (and more importantly what is not) part of your package.  Be extremely careful about some places that just give you a 'total package' figure without the breakdown - many of these will include a bonus that is impossible to achieve, so your take home pay is considerably lower.  Also calculate the hourly rate, if you look at all the hours you have to work you may be surprised the rate isn't as good as you first thought, which leads me to the next point...

- Mines pay big money because you work hard and long to earn it.  If you think you'll get a cushy job that pays big bucks you might want to rethink that.  Even driving a haul truck might be seen as an easy job but it isn't - 11 hours of driving a $8m machine around isn't as easy as one might think. 

These days I'm an office dweller (middle management) in a DIDO arrangement and I would average 60 hours a week as well as permanently on call.  I am very fortunate to have an understanding wife.

[listo]

Thanks for the feedback guys, it's very handy for myself and all others here that have an interest.
Myself, as i mentioned on another thread, i don't really have a desired trade as far as i can tell. I'm a glove and barrier live linesman with stick qualification up to 66kv and also have an underground cable jointers ticket. There's a few other tickets that come with the job.
I don't mind the long hours, i already get that during storm season, and night shift hasn't been a bother in the past... i can sleep through anything when required 
I guess an operators job would suit, if there's opportunity to move further with initiative shown. I'd love an other apprenticeship there, either an electrical ticket or diesel fitter, but at my age, i couldn't see too much interest shown in me for those. Doesn't hurt to apply when i see them advertised though.
The big cash isn't what lures me, i already make the same as a dump truck operator, but i'm getting tired of the politics in ergon. Common sense is a thing of the past and following the new safety guidelines and regulations is seeing us can jobs that would be simple and safe to do if we were allowed to think for ourselves. I believe in safety for sure, but we aren't idiots that can't think for ourselves. It'd be nice for a change and they're the only place i know of that makes the same money.
Thanks again
Listo

[Sherlock0013]

I'm a bit like Symon and work a even time shift roster DIDO (drive in drive out} drive approx 35000kms a year at my cost.
Working as Diesel fitter.
The most biggest problem I face is not being able to be there when family problem crop's up {like health issues}.
working right through national breaks like Easter or Boxing day is not much fun when family is at home.

I've been in mining since started working  25 years ago go it's not all bad.
Working in with mine's safety rules can be a bit over the top if your not used to it and if you dont comply then expect to pay the price.

[seqfisho]

Common sense is a thing of the past and following the new safety guidelines and regulations is seeing us can jobs that would be simple and safe to do if we were allowed to think for ourselves. I believe in safety for sure, but we aren't idiots that can't think for ourselves. It'd be nice for a change and they're the only place i know of that makes the same money.

I hear where your coming from Listo, I work for a contractor who exclusively works for Energex and it is becoming harder and harder for us as we face twice the scrutiny that they do when doing a job, as an EFM I get to do most stuff except Live Line (although funnily enough wouldn't mind giving it a go). We are also at the whim of budgeting and I am unsure how next year will look after the flood and cyclones we have had, it may mean reduced hours and or staff cuts.

I too have looked at the mines with interest as it is one of the few industries that could compare with my current income, so I have found this thread very interesting and will follow it closely. I have also looked at Ergon as an option as a relocation to a rural area has plenty of appeal.

BTW, anyone looking for EFM's I am interested to hear whats on offer

[Brisan]

Looks like I struck it lucky!!. Been in the mines just over a year, 12 hour days(only work 9) working a 4 days on 4 days off roster, no night shift, 6 figure pay.

And all I do is service and repair Toyota Landcruisers underground.

Had a friend who put in a good word for me but still had to go through the interview process. Luckily my missus was already working for the same company in admin, so no conflict there. We moved to a mining town to get "the big money" but it cost a heap to do that and had to pay for medicals and inductions when we first got here. some companies will pay for all that and pay to move you as well. With my current job, company paid for everything.  Big change in lifestyle from a $37,000 a year mechanic

[darren]

There are still mining jobs near major centers. The illawarra, lithgow and Newcastle/ hunter valley etc... You get to go home every night and you dont have to live in west Shitsville.

Also, As a process owner and somone who is involed with employment in the mining industry, if you consider safety, procedures, etc as the wrong thing or over the top then may i suggest you are looking at the wrong industry.

[AussieBob]

These jobs are available even close to major cities, son in-law up until end of last year worked as mechanic for Nissan in NewCastle, now has a similar job at an engineering co contracted to Singleton mines working on mine Equipment, salary has more than doubled into six figures.
Shift work two on, two off, home each night/day.

[hillbilly]

G'day Swanny, I just sent you a PM as I'm after some more info.

Cheers