Whos is working in the mines to get ahead?

Hello Stevie

What kind of IT skills are required?  I take it that non police force people can be employed?  That's what sworn staff members are? How would one go about finding out further information about this?

Anni – what kind of work in the mining industry can women do?  I did check out some mining sites but couldn't see anything much for women.   I have had a similar experience to Mo1.

Thanks

Hi Anni – I didn't expect any gender specific details on the job advertisements  – its just that I am so far removed from the mining industry that I have little knowledge about the industry.  I know no-one in the industry to ask questions and searching for the relevant information just seems to bring up broad sweeping statements that aren't useful and just lead to another 50 questions. The other result is that so many jobs come up in searches that it ends up like trying to find a needle in a haystack.   I don't usually have problems with obtaining information, so I am can't understand why it is so difficult in this instance.  I am not interested in working in the mining industry in a position where the pay would be not much different to what I get now (which is pretty average in a regional town).

What job do you do Anni?  And did you already have university level skills to start with? 

Most of the jobs seem to be engineering related, need university level IT skills (I only have certificate IV level skills), or people need to have at minimum of several years experience in the mining industry.  I heard a mining representative say that they can train any unskilled person to be able to work in the mining industry but nothing remotely echoing this statement can be found on the job network or mining company sites that I have searched. The websites don't want to reply to specific questions either as they get so many enquiries.

Hello Angela

Thank you for sharing your info.  It is much appreciated –  hearing insider experience of what it is really like and what people are doing etc.

I have been working overseas in the offshore industry for about 5 yrs now, doing 60 days on(usually ends up about 90)and 30 off (hopefully), work min 84 hrs per week usually around 100, been home 1 christmas in 4 and have a little 2 year old whom I am missing growing up. This by far is the biggest sacrifice I have ever made in my life but as the number of IP's slowly add up (only 5 so far)  I feel its all been worth it but hope I can give it all up soon and spent much more time with family.

I guess for all those considering it I would say go for it but dont lose sight of the big picture. I see so many people out here with next to nothing and they have been doing it for 30 yrs. It is a hard life but you also make many friends along the way and pick up many skills and experiences .

Good Luck to all and I wish you many IP's in the future.

I am an industrial chemist and have worked in the mines almost all my life – over 20 years. When I graduated it was simply luck of the draw as to what industry I ended up in. As a graduate you take anything you can get when you have no experience. It was my good fortune to get my first offer in mining. Never have I regretted it. If I had ended up working in labs in the city I wouldn't have made much money.

I've generally always worked at the "coalface" with the exception of 3 years as a supervisor. That's the thing, you don't need all the stress of working in management to make good bucks. You can do it stress free as I do now working a basic job as a lab tech. It's a no-brainer. People ask me if I am challenged in my work. I say, "nuh, just the way I like it." Sounds strange to say that, but I left a job that was a pain because of stress. Now, I do a very routine job, make good money and fuel my investment program. The lack of stress is beautiful. I don't give a rat's about my career as a chemist. In fact, when I see a potential job talking career development, I switch off and look for something else.

Relatively speaking I don't make anywhere near as much as some other professions/trades in mining. An engineering mate who recently moved on from his head office mining job in Perth was making around $127,000 annually. He is taking up a position overseas. No doubt his salary is significantly higher to do it. But as others have said, it involves a lot of time at work. He will be 4 weeks on, but the upside is he then gets 4 weeks off.

I believe some of the trades are in very high demand, so they can command high salaries. So if you have a trade or are uni qualified and you want to get into mining, then I think your chances are good if you persist until you get what you want. If you aren't qualified, I think it's harder, but of course there are many unskilled jobs in the mines also. They tend to be very routine, dirty and physically demanding jobs. Some of these jobs may not pay as well as people believe, but it still would be much better than the equivalent in the city.
 
The climate is the other thing to consider. Lots of mines are located in trying conditions. If you have a goal, set your plan and are willing to stick it out for some years, then you can really set yourself up. I have seen lots of people who make big money, but can't keep it. What's the point? Don't waste your time in these places if you are going to blow it all.

A lot of the media coverage tends to contain hype, I think. They make out as if you can ring up tomorrow and get a job straight away. Yeh right. Maybe the odd person can under some circumstances. Those short features on current affairs shows don't give you the whole story.

If you are keen to get into mining, I'd say be persistent and register with as many of the recruitment agencies (who specialise in mining) as you can. If you can relocate to a mining area that would be a good way to go, but the expense of living there without a job initially may be snag. You could do anything to start with, just to pay the bills. You'd probably find a job in some other area quickly because they can't keep their workers who have all moved on to mine jobs! I have heard of local industry crying out for workers for this reason. They just can't compete.

Anyhow, those are my thoughts. Best of luck if you want to give it a go. You'll never regret it financially.

Hiyall ..

Anrobel is right .. tho (and I DON'T work for an mining co) if you're looking for info .. check out the wa site for the Chamber of Minerals and Energy .. call em .. in the Pilbara they are suggesting that around 42000 folk are needed in a pretty short space of time .. the living conditions can – and often are I understand – bloo**y awful – tho the companies are doing whatever they can to attract the expertise they need … it does pay to ask for what your looking for

Internationally, some companies have entire workforces being paid to stay at home – as this is cheaper than recruiting when the projects in the pipe come on line … there is actually a tremendous variety of jobs about – DEPENDING on ya timing and persistance.  Yes .. long hours .. yes .. in some areas ya need eyes in the back of ya head I understand.

Projections in WA are for around 10 – 15 years of this.  Its not just iron ore … gold, nickel and a bunch of other mineral commodies – and not just in the North West of WA .. are about the place.  

If its ya gig .. check it out – even if you are not an engineer ..

BUT remember .. a remote area in WA or the NT .. is a hell of a lot different to 'remote' areas elsewhere in the country .. we're not talkin about popping off to Ballarat or Broken Hill … Hedland, Newman and others are the 'bigger' ones … make certain ya know what you're gettin into – and ya partner, kiddies and all understand it.

Great money and nothin else may grab the attention of some – not all

good luck

Birddog01,
Your situation sounds similar to my own experience. I studied Civil for 2 1/2 years while working on sud-divisions as a chainsman, I wanted to change to Mining Eng. because my cousin worked in the mines as a sparky and owned two houses, so i moved to Kalgoorlie (from Brisbane) and got a job in a Nickel mine as a TA. I did various tasks like mine surveying, ore mark up, pit de-watering, shot crew, road deliniation etc. I got on machinery like excavators and loaders and after 9 months changed from more office orientated duties to permanent mining crew because i enjoyed it more.

Anyway.. at 22 i bought a unit on a 30 year loan too and thought,' man thats a lot of money and a long time'. But in 3 years it more than doubled and i bought a second property in Queensland at 25 and am now keen to get a third and so on. They are both rented out and that covers 2/3rds of the repayments.

I am still in mining to service my debts and and enjoy the fact that it's good money ,but you also get a good break. For eg. a currently work week on week off DIDO in QLD for 80K salary but am going back to WA For a 2/1 FIFO job on 120K.

I have friends who as a couple moved to Kalgoorlie from Melbourne and drove dump trucks and in 3 years have 3 houses between them. They just got married and now that they're set up are going to sell two and pay off their home to get out of mining and start a family.

One thing however is you get used to the money and when you move back to town to a real job the wage drops and there are a lot less days off. I'm trying to get set up myself so i can finish my civil degree and be able to have my properties take care of themselves. Thats why I've been reading Steve's book, to get financial freedom!

So good luck, get set up while you're young. Mining is a good way to earn big bucks, plus living expenses also drop because you get housed and fed at camp and you don't need to fuel your car for two weeks. If you FIFO anyway.

Boshy888,
There are heaps of women in mining usually they drive haul trucks and water trucks, but also on the shot crews and drill crews. Haul trucks are your best chance and they have air conditioning.

It is hard to get a foot in the door, and it is true about just turning up. If for eg. you took a weeks holiday to Kalgoorlie, went into all the labour hire places and rung the local mining companies you would have a good chance of a job. Also some jobs aren't advertised so ask around in the pubs. I got my first mining job from an Engineer i met at a wedding across the road from where i was staying, and i didn't even know the couple!!

Tim Bass

P.s. start with smaller companies to get say 3-6 months experience then move up to the BHP's of the world.

See today's Sydney Morning Herald – $80k in Qld or WA, no experience. $80k+ food/accom for truck driver/water cart.

Thanks to all the posters so far,

Great info from the inside which is invaluable.I will pass this info onto a mtae of mine whom is flying to WA next week.

He tried the remote contact approach (from NSW) now he is going to walk the talk in WA.

Now I am also inspired to investigate the opportunities….

Hi all

I am considering getting into the mining area.  I would like to know what qualifications or licences are needed to get a job driving those dump trucks.

Cheers
SG