Anyone ever worked at Telfer gold mine WA

Hi Tank.
I worked there for a year in the early 80s and loved it. Hot or cold, wet or windy I reckoned it was a good place and that was long before FIFO and you got to know virtually everyone that lived there.
The main contractor there in those days was Quest Mining who I worked for and the old bastard that ran Quest used to watch everyone get off the plane and if he didn't like the look of you back on the plane you went, no arguement or reasoning allowed!
The old road in was not good and caught drivers quite often with many punctures and the occassional stranding when the waters rose after rains. Not good if you had a truck sitting there for weeks at a time unable to get back out but they have improved the road since then.
Weather is usually a bit warm this time of year which is when I arrived there, count on about 45C every day but the pub was good and cool!
Bigger trap for some on site was not the pub but the bookie and he took so much money off certain blokes they were considered unsackable as he was a member of the management.
Couldn't have his income being dropped could they?:D
Alan.

My mate works there FIFO week on week off, Flys in and out every Wednesday. Due to fly back up this week.

I think with National Jet.

Have known a few people that have worked up there. Apparently the camp is good, but rather large. Has had a bit of a shakey history recently, but most people have liked it up there. Same with all gold mines, all good while the gold price is high like it is. Not sure what the lifes span is estimated at, but it has been around for a while now. Probablly like Norseman Gold, borderline viability.
Very hot and dusty through to cyclonic conditions.
If you have not lived in remote mining camps, it is a very different lifestyle, some love it others hate it. Focus on something like further schooling when you are off work and in camp. If you have not done it before it can seem quite lonely and you will miss your family. I am doing it again and miss my family like crazy.

Hi Tank, resigned from there in july, facilities include gym, wet mess, squash court, tennis courts, cricket nets, lawn bowls, golf driving range, footy oval, pool, shop, cafe & internet room. majority of the people are friendly enough, they bands & karoke nights, the village is pretty spread out but he can take a bike up, room quality varies depending on company, couples rooms, ensuited SPQ's & shared ensuite SPQ's, assuming hes in exploration (is he with pinnacle drilling or swick?) chances are he'll be in the bronx area of SPQ's - may have a t.v, will have communal showers (tell him to shower after dark - they're saunas otherwise). flights are ex perth with skywest or ex brissy with alliance (you get alcohol on this flight) not sure what else you would like to know? not wanting to spill the beans too much but right now is an exciting time for telfer in regards to exploration, they received a big budget for two green fields projects they are currently drilling.
heat and humidity are big factors out there at the moment, rains we got from the cyclone caused a bit of damage to the telfer access rd, but trucks can still get in (not like our site). sorry took so long to reply but sat comms here are pretty hit and miss out where i am.

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Originally Posted by billnjim

Hi Tank, resigned from there in july, facilities include gym, wet mess, squash court, tennis courts, cricket nets, lawn bowls, golf driving range, footy oval, pool, shop, cafe & internet room. majority of the people are friendly enough, they bands & karoke nights, the village is pretty spread out but he can take a bike up, room quality varies depending on company, couples rooms, ensuited SPQ's & shared ensuite SPQ's, assuming hes in exploration (is he with pinnacle drilling or swick?) chances are he'll be in the bronx area of SPQ's - may have a t.v, will have communal showers (tell him to shower after dark - they're saunas otherwise). flights are ex perth with skywest or ex brissy with alliance (you get alcohol on this flight) not sure what else you would like to know? not wanting to spill the beans too much but right now is an exciting time for telfer in regards to exploration, they received a big budget for two green fields projects they are currently drilling.
heat and humidity are big factors out there at the moment, rains we got from the cyclone caused a bit of damage to the telfer access rd, but trucks can still get in (not like our site). sorry took so long to reply but sat comms here are pretty hit and miss out where i am.

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My Son will be blast drilling, not exploration, will be working for Newcrest through private employment mob for 3 months, then if suitable, Newcrest will take him on full time.
He actually enjoys the heat, I can't handle it though, he'll be happy to hear of the facilities there, he was supposed to fly up last Wednesday, but because of a SNAFU with the induction he has had to stay in Perth another week, will have induction next Monday and fly out next Wednesday, they sent his tickets thru last night. Thanks for the info, most appreciated, Regards Frank.

Billnjim summed Telfer up perfectly.

The chance of a full time job with Newcrest is a brilliant opportunity for any young fella and should be guarded like gold. There is then the chance to work anywhere.

Good on him!!

I worked at Telfer in 1979 as a dump truck driver.
I was one of the first women to be employed as a "plant operator" haha
I used to do 12 hour shifts and lived in a caravan.I remember the power went off once and we sweated it out. There was not much there then and all there was to do was drink (I didnt much though)
I had no other license but a normal car license and they did not require anything else in those days.
I learnt really quick.
We drive in by road then and the road was very rough.
When we left to come back into Port Hedland (via Marble Bar) we struck a storm and it was thunderous and frighteneing. We got a puncture in the station wagon we were driving a Valiant. Luckily my boyfriend had another guy who we were giving a lift 'back to town' to help. We found a pole ( ironic- where it came from who knows) and as the jack had I think broken- from memory, the pole was just there waiting for us. The water was halfway up the wheel of the car and I am not sure how we got out of there.
We did and today I wish I had stayed at the Mine as I could have saved a little bit more for the old age. :angel:

I've completed numerous small contracts at Telfer. The Accommodation was excellent, the mess is catered for by ESS and is unbeatable. There was no sign of trouble at the wet mess throughout my numerous stints there and all staff seemed to be fairly happy. I've yet to hear a complaint.

I did work at Telfer in the early 90's, I had only about 10 years experience in my field then, but the money and life was great. I didn't drink at all, and put enough pennies aside to start up my own business.
I have since had three young fellows go through there papers and work there.
Regards
Tjupurula

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Originally Posted by Tank

Wondering if any one has any first hand info on Telfer Gold mine in WA, like climate, camp life, job conditions, recreation etc., Regards Frank.

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I was working there when it first opened or shortly after 1978.
I was one of two women dump truck drivers in Aus at the time I believe.
We lived in an air conditioned caravan. One day the generator failed we sweated our gutses our and had to try and rest ready for the next 12 hr shift ( nightshift for me ) . I had only a car license as they did require anything more then. I climbed up into it and a few minutes tuition and drove off. I only left because the guy I was with was no good as a dozer driver . So we left
I never backed over the edge obviously 🙄