would like some info about working in the mines in WA or QLD

[Landy Smurf]

hey i am thinking about working in the mines in WA or QLD everyone always say that there is heaps of money there and cheap living.i would like to work there for a few years while i am young and get a bit of money behind me,any info would be good,but basically i want to know
how much would i expect to earn?
how many hours would i need to work?
what is it like to live there?
how do i get into it?
what job would i be expected to do?
do you reccomend it?
thanks in advance Tony

[rockyroad]

Whats your background? If you have a trade then you can be guaranteed a job in a central qld mine. Diesel fitters, electricians etc are in high demand. If your just wanting to drive trucks then the prospects are still good, just takes a bit longer.

[Landy Smurf]

still at school,have done weeks work experience 2 weeks as T.A and 4 weeks as a mechanic.

[LandyAndy]

Most mines are a 12 hour shift,then a mix of days on/off.
IE 7 on 4 off etc = work 7,4 days off.There is a big range and your days on can be day or nite shift depending on the roster.
You dont live at the mine as such,they are a mix of FIFO,DIDO .Fly in Fly out,Drive in drive out.You stay in a camp whilst you are"in".
At your age,you wont get on machinery,you need a heavy vehicle licence and more so EXPERIENCE.Your best bet is getting an apprentiship.You have the option of mechanical and electrical trades.
Andrew

[Landy Smurf]

i dont want an apprentiship.i am planning on being a primary school teacher but i thought if i could go over there and drive trucks or something for a few years that would be good

[CJT]

I would say you should get a trade behind you first. Then you should have no issues finding work.

As far as salary and hours it depends on the site and also if they are fly in fly out or have a town for accomodation.

If you do fly in fly out I believe you tend to work 10 on 4 off or similar with 10 - 12 hour days. In addition if your an electrician or similar on site you would generally be on call and would tend to work more than standard hours.

As far as living in these places it is not too bad if you dont mind basic living etc. especially of your in on site accomodation. You have a room and share a bathroom etc. shared kitchen but foods provided.

If your in a mine with a town close by then accomodation is genrally as usual, small house etc. or share house with the other workers but if you have to pay the rent it is expensive. Rent at the moment on somewhere like Moranbah is averaging around $700 per week or so due to demand.

Hope this helps.

[LandyAndy]

How long,if you have it,have you held a car licence???
Pretty sure you need to have your car licence for 2 years before you can get a heavy vehicle licence.They are mandatory for minesites.Then there is the experience problem.
Andrew

[Landy Smurf]

is having your L's for a year and your red P's for a year count as 2 years or do you have to have your black licence too get a heavy vehicle licence

[LandyAndy]

Un sure Tony.
They are now Australia wide drivers licence conditions,so all states are the same.
Look at you local states licensing website,been a LONG time since I first got a licence.
I shave my head to get rid of the grey hairs:D:D:D:D
Andrew

[hiline]

you need to have a full drivers licence for 1 yr prior to getting a HR/MR licence ;)

[Landy Smurf]

well looks like i should be scrapping the idea of working in WA or QLD mines then hey?

[cartm58]

As someone who works in recruitment for a mining company l can tell you that you have no hope of getting hired as operator (truck or machinery driver if your under 25 years of age) unless you work for a small contrctor.

Pay for drivers varies depending on size of machinery being operated but looking at mid $80,000 to $140,000 for 10 hour day 6 day week for mines working 2 weeks on 1 week off. Living on remote camp no accomodation food charges pay for your own grog.

Even with a license people want experience and l mean 2 to 3 years experience before they consider you and they also prefer multi licenses for different plant and equipment so they can have flexibility in site rostering and work requirements.

If you want to be employed in mines under 25 your only chance is to be a camp cleaner or breakfast cook or in a admin role, most of camp cleaner admin roles got o women in their 30's and 40's

[Landy Smurf]

lol well there goes my life plans for the next 3 yrs

[B92 8NW]

Do your BEd first. Trying to make a living and studying f/t is ****house enough as it is, I couldn't think of a worse thing than starting an undergrad program three or four years after leaving school.

[Sparksdisco]

If you dont mind getting dirty and doing physical work then you could proberly get into one of the roller crews up here in porthedland.

What dose a roller crew do you may ask?

they changeout rollers on all the conveyors on site. a lot of the apprentices that i know started out in the roller crew.
if you dont mind getting dirty i think they get paid resonable money but finding a place to stay is the killer as rent a week up here is mind blowing.

or you might pick up a hosing job where you hose down areas of the plant. again pritty physical work and not bad money for what you do.

port hedland is not a mine as such but is the port where the iron ore ships are loaded

[CraigE]

In all honesty it varies greatly. I have been in the industry for 20 odd years and am heading to Newman shortly to work for BHP again.
Most of the larger companies look for some experience, but contractors may not and you can get a job as a labourer etc without having too much experience. Sometimes right place right time even with big companies can get you in. Also a lot of the big companies now offer traineeships, so that is worth looking at and they will train you to be a machinery operator. Less money to start with but gets you in and the potential to earn good money.
Do not listen to all the garbage that people promote. People sprout figures of up to $200k per annum. To put it in perspective most people in the industry earn around $110-120k per annum plus bonus and super so can be a package worth $135-145. Of course it can be a bit more depending on your experience. The figures I have quoted are generally for 12hr shifts on an even time roster that may be something like 4on 4 off (2 days 2 nights), 8on 6 off 7 on 7 off, 7 on 7 off, 9 on 5 off and a few variations of this.
The really big money comes from mining construction work, but this offers little for family life, great if you are single and have no commitments. Downside of this is it can be 13on 1 off on site 13on 4 - 7 off, varies and 10-12hr shifts day and night.
Accommodation.
On site. If you are FIFO they will generally put you up in a camp, accommodation, meals and crib meals supplied. Some provide TV, DVD and Fox others do not. Some provide ensuite nice units others shared facilities, though that is getting rarer. FIFO there is generally no rent assistance where you reside off site.
Housing. Some provide housing for some jobs (which is what I have been offered). Cost can vary from very little to market rental rates depending where. In Newman we will be paying $70-120 a week rent depending on what type of house we get, no power or water to pay. The weekly rent for non company housing in Newman can be up to $2000 per week.
Talk to mining recruitment companies, as many mining companies as you can.
Some of the smaller miners will hire without experience, like some of the smaller gold miners. I know Norseman Gold does, but the money is very ordinary and the town very small.
Whatever you decide best of luck, but put yourself out there. It will take time. Has taken me 14 months to find something suitable and good money and is a huge move 1600kms away and have had nervous thoughts about moving, but once up there all will be good. Have had 2 jobs in the interim. Norseman Gold I left due to management style.
BHP have a lot of rules, but if you can get your head around that are very good to work for and at the end of the day just have a mind set that they are paying you to abide by these rules, may slow the work down, but they are paying and I am quite happy to do all the paperwork that is required.
Be very prepared for No Drugs and Alcohol policies, things range from warning initially to dismissal on subsequent offences or instant dismissal. A lot of sites are also clean shaven. Misbehavior in company accommodation can result in accommodation being withdrawn, which on a FIFO basis means you dont have a job or straight termination.

[Landy Smurf]

i have never taken any drugs before have not even had a puff of a cigga,and rarely drink,thanks for the good info

[Sparksdisco]

In all honesty it varies greatly. I have been in the industry for 20 odd years and am heading to Newman shortly to work for BHP again.
Most of the larger companies look for some experience, but contractors may not and you can get a job as a labourer etc without having too much experience. Sometimes right place right time even with big companies can get you in. Also a lot of the big companies now offer traineeships, so that is worth looking at and they will train you to be a machinery operator. Less money to start with but gets you in and the potential to earn good money.
Do not listen to all the garbage that people promote. People sprout figures of up to $200k per annum. To put it in perspective most people in the industry earn around $110-120k per annum plus bonus and super so can be a package worth $135-145. Of course it can be a bit more depending on your experience. The figures I have quoted are generally for 12hr shifts on an even time roster that may be something like 4on 4 off (2 days 2 nights), 8on 6 off 7 on 7 off, 7 on 7 off, 9 on 5 off and a few variations of this.
The really big money comes from mining construction work, but this offers little for family life, great if you are single and have no commitments. Downside of this is it can be 13on 1 off on site 13on 4 - 7 off, varies and 10-12hr shifts day and night.
Accommodation.
On site. If you are FIFO they will generally put you up in a camp, accommodation, meals and crib meals supplied. Some provide TV, DVD and Fox others do not. Some provide ensuite nice units others shared facilities, though that is getting rarer. FIFO there is generally no rent assistance where you reside off site.
Housing. Some provide housing for some jobs (which is what I have been offered). Cost can vary from very little to market rental rates depending where. In Newman we will be paying $70-120 a week rent depending on what type of house we get, no power or water. The weekly rent for non company housing in Newman can be up to $2000 per week.
Talk to mining recruitment companies, as many mining companies as you can.
Some of the smaller miners will hire without experience, like some of the smaller gold miners. I know Norseman Gold does, but the money is very ordinary and the town very small.
Whatever you decide best of luck, but put yourself out there. It will take time. Has taken me 14 months to find something suitable and good money and is a huge move 1600kms away and have had nervous thoughts about moving, but once up there all will be good. Have had 2 jobs in the interim. Norseman Gold I left due to management style.
BHP have a lot of rules, but if you can get your head around that are very good to work for and at the end of the day just have a mind set that they are paying you to abide by these rules, may slow the work down, but they are paying and I am quite happy to do all the paperwork that is required.
Be very prepared for No Drugs and Alcohol policies, things range from warning initially to dismissal on subsequent offences or instant dismissal. A lot of sites are also clean shaven. Misbehavior in company accommodation can result in accommodation being withdrawn, which on a FIFO basis means you dont have a job or straight termination.


sorryto hijack but what do you do CraigE? will have to try and get around to see my pilbra AULORians one day.

I think your aware im a sparky in BHP at porthedland
have you stayed in newman before?
and whats it like if you have?

[Fish78]

Hi, I used to work underground in a copper mine in western Qld as a nipper/drillers offsider, plus a few other bits on Weekends.

I naturally moved into the minning industry as my father was a driller/miner most of his life.

It can be hard work and the mine sites are generally quite isolated places, with not much to do except work and drink. (generally best though not to drink too much lol)

If you are serious about doing that sort of work there are a few things you can do to increase your chances.

1.Get a General Mine Induction ticket, usually courses are run all the time, cost is around $500, but your chances of employment will be much better.
Department of Mines and Energy - Generic Induction (http://www.dme.qld.gov.au/mines/generic_induction.cfm)

2.Pick a few mine sites you are interested in, give them a ring and ask about their employment options, some mines will employee directly but a lot will use a contract company, get the name of the contract group and apply through web site.

3. Current first aid cert, fit/healthy and able to do heavy work will be a big help as well.

4. persistence..lol, a few years after i left the mine i was at, i thought id have a go on an oil rig, 4 weeks and 10 calls to the office later i got an interview and from there got a few rotations on a rig. Oil rigs are a lot different to mines and i wouldn't recommend a young bloke work on one.

Being your age and interested in mining, i would reccomend having a think about a few different jobs, the Geologists i worked with underground were making HUGE money (over $150k) and they didnt do a lot of hard work, most of their time is spent in Air-con offices, Geologist also rate very highly as mine managers along with Engineers.

Being Geo is a top Job, you get to earn heaps, work in any country in the world and the best bit, start getting paid while still at Uni, we had student Geo's all the time who were finishing their studies and getting paid decent money for it.

I would advise against Coal, Coal is usually what is called soft rock mining, it can be quite a bit more dangerous that Hard rock, which is usually Copper/gold/lead etc.

If you are looking into QLD area, Mt Isa is a good place to start, there are lots of mines in that area;

Ernest Henry- copper/gold

Selwyn copper/gold

Mt Gordon - copper(formerly Gunpowder mine) where i worked

Mount Isa Mines Xstrada- copper/lead/silver/zinc

[CraigE]

sorryto hijack but what do you do CraigE? will have to try and get around to see my pilbra AULORians one day.

I think your aware im a sparky in BHP at porthedland
have you stayed in newman before?
and whats it like if you have?

Hi, I am in Emergency Response and starting at Mt Whaleback. Formerly Norseman Gold, Ravensthorpe Nickel, Kambalda & Kalgoorlie Nickel. Have also been Mineral Processing. Have not stayed in Newman, but went up for a look a couple of weeks ago. Think we can put up with it for a couple of years (indication of FIFO after this). Start on 6th July and moving family up early August. Will get us back on our feet after the disastrous Ravensthorpe closure.
The heat will take a bit to get used to, but have wanted to get back up that way for a lot of years. 2 years will go quick and then we will re evaluate and after that time BHP will also pay our relocation back to where we came from or anywhere in between. Plenty to see up that way.
Newman seems a neat little town and has most facilities. A little lacking on shops, but thats a good way to save money.
But should be good for us, like dirt bikes and camping. Some very interesting camping in the next year or two.

[Landy Smurf]

thanks alot i will look into that

[CraigE]

Hi, I used to work underground in a copper mine in western Qld as a nipper/drillers offsider, plus a few other bits on Weekends.

I naturally moved into the minning industry as my father was a driller/miner most of his life.

It can be hard work and the mine sites are generally quite isolated places, with not much to do except work and drink. (generally best though not to drink too much lol)

If you are serious about doing that sort of work there are a few things you can do to increase your chances.

1.Get a General Mine Induction ticket, usually courses are run all the time, cost is around $500, but your chances of employment will be much better.
Department of Mines and Energy - Generic Induction (http://www.dme.qld.gov.au/mines/generic_induction.cfm)

2.Pick a few mine sites you are interested in, give them a ring and ask about their employment options, some mines will employee directly but a lot will use a contract company, get the name of the contract group and apply through web site.

3. Current first aid cert, fit/healthy and able to do heavy work will be a big help as well.

4. persistence..lol, a few years after i left the mine i was at, i thought id have a go on an oil rig, 4 weeks and 10 calls to the office later i got an interview and from there got a few rotations on a rig. Oil rigs are a lot different to mines and i wouldn't recommend a young bloke work on one.

Being your age and interested in mining, i would reccomend having a think about a few different jobs, the Geologists i worked with underground were making HUGE money (over $150k) and they didnt do a lot of hard work, most of their time is spent in Air-con offices, Geologist also rate very highly as mine managers along with Engineers.

Being Geo is a top Job, you get to earn heaps, work in any country in the world and the best bit, start getting paid while still at Uni, we had student Geo's all the time who were finishing their studies and getting paid decent money for it.

I would advise against Coal, Coal is usually what is called soft rock mining, it can be quite a bit more dangerous that Hard rock, which is usually Copper/gold/lead etc.

If you are looking into QLD area, Mt Isa is a good place to start, there are lots of mines in that area;

Ernest Henry- copper/gold

Selwyn copper/gold

Mt Gordon - copper(formerly Gunpowder mine) where i worked

Mount Isa Mines Xstrada- copper/lead/silver/zinc







In WA the general mine induction is usually worth squat unless you are working for a contractor at multiple smaller sites. Called MARCSTA over here. Most big mining companies over here have gone back to their own inductions as it was a waste of time.
Depends what mining you are looking at as well. UG, Pit or Production. I would not work UG for quids, though quite happy to do rescue.

[CraigE]

Also if you do get onto a FIFO site, use the down time to do some relevant study that will help you in the field you want to be in, maybe not now but when you are 40 or 50.

[Sparksdisco]

Hi, I am in Emergency Response and starting at Mt Whaleback. Formerly Norseman Gold, Ravensthorpe Nickel, Kambalda & Kalgoorlie Nickel. Have also been Mineral Processing. Have not stayed in Newman, but went up for a look a couple of weeks ago. Think we can put up with it for a couple of years (indication of FIFO after this). Start on 6th July and moving family up early August. Will get us back on our feet after the disastrous Ravensthorpe closure.
The heat will take a bit to get used to, but have wanted to get back up that way for a lot of years. 2 years will go quick and then we will re evaluate and after that time BHP will also pay our relocation back to where we came from or anywhere in between. Plenty to see up that way.
Newman seems a neat little town and has most facilities. A little lacking on shops, but thats a good way to save money.
But should be good for us, like dirt bikes and camping. Some very interesting camping in the next year or two.

your the guys that rescue us when it all goes to poo :):):):):):):)

you would of seen photos of nelson point when our LRP caught on fire?

not a good sight to see big building like that billowing black smoke

i wouldent mind getting into ESO's but not to sure where i would start and who's bottom to kiss

There are some great spots for camping around Newman.

[CraigE]

your the guys that rescue us when it all goes to poo :):):):):):):)

you would of seen photos of nelson point when our LRP caught on fire?

not a good sight to see big building like that billowing black smoke

i wouldent mind getting into ESO's but not to sure where i would start and who's bottom to kiss

There are some great spots for camping around Newman.
LOL, yep seen some pics.
The best place to start is as a volunteer for the ERT, That is where I started, I was production shift supervisor when I started as I thought I would set an example for the crew (shame they were a crew of dropkicks and did not follow my lead). It went on from there as I loved the work, well most of it.