Hi All

After being a long time lurker, I thought i'd post a question that I havent been able to find the answer to.

Has anyone got any advice on how to get into mining in Australia, particularly if you have no mining experience.

I see a lot of posts from tradies and IT types that say they're struggling to find a job, but I also see posts saying that the wages to be earned in mining are phenominal (ok you have to work away, but even a 6 month stint will set most people up for a year or so) - seems like a classic case of supply and demand.

Does anyone know if there is much demand for skilled and experienced non mining specialsists (ie. IT, finance, business Project/programme managers) or would I be better off retraining as a truck driver !

Cheers

OzzieDreamers

Which area of mining and Australia are you looking at in particular?

We'll be based in Brisbane, but as I understand it most mining work is fly in fly out (FIFO). Having travelled internationally or commuted in the UK for work for as long as I can remember the idea of shipping about doesn't bother me.

As for what area of mining, i'd like to use my existing skills if possible (IT and business project and programme management)- if not then I'll learn new ones, I'm not too proud (or old) to change.

Cheers

You have a company called Xstrata in Queensland who operate a copper mine at Mount Isa and other mining elsewhere in the World.
The company is actually based in Switzerland.

Mount Isa has a predominantly mining based community of some approx. 25,000 people. The city has everything you want trust me, plenty of schools.
So as you can see this isn't a FIFO deal.

As an example for this company, if successful at interview the next stage is an online behavioural test which is interesting and then if selected an invititation for you and your partner to attend for a site visit for two days to see if you like the work environment itself etc.. and the wife likes the area.
This is something that they didn't do previously but is now part of the process.

The nearest sizeable town to Mount Isa is Conclurry, with Townsville about 88+ hours away.

There are plenty of mining companies throughout Queensland, choose from Copper, Coal etc..

Distance Calculator

Mining Info

The airline that mining companies charter for FIFO is Alliance Airlines.


Regards

Rich

Hi OD, I'm in Mackay which is one the bases for commuting to the mines. I'm actually working in Mackay for a company who supplies and repairs equipment to the mines. To start with, you need your mining tickets which involve a two day course (mainly safety) and a medical. This involves a generic surface induction and, although I don't work out at the mines, I know you need these before they'll let you near them. Very over the top on safety although I suppose isn't a bad thing. Off hand, they cost me abt $600 and I cant remember the medical costs, maybe abt $150. I took a job in town until we're settled (only been here 6 weeks) which doesn't require tickets but the tickets last for 2 years then need updated. Advice was, I pay for 1st induction and then in 2 years time company will pay for refresher. Commute I believe is by transport. I'm a welder, and there is a severe shortage here, but as for your field, I would be guessing but any more info PM me and I'll try to help. Franny

This is something I'd be keen to find out about. I'm heading for Perth in the new year and I know WA has a big mining industry (although I don't know about the Perth area).

Anyone have any info on mining in WA?

Just google recruitment consultants in WA. Try Kelly services and that will get you started. Good luck

I am a Maintenance fitter, one of the so called in demand skills in the mines and have sent my CV to agencies when they have been recruiting. I haven't even had acknowledgement from them to say they have received it. I don't think its as easy as saying "gis a job".
Everyone knows the money's good so I think they have quite a few applicants for the positions available.
Plus I think location helps. If you want to work in the mines then move to Mt Isa or Mackay, easier to get in if relocation is out of the equation.

Nice one Rich.

This is the kind of advice and info that makes BE such a great place

OzzieDreamers

I have 3 mates who 'fly in fly out' to Perth. All of them at differnt mines, 2 of them are mechanics and one is a machine operator.

Various mines have different levels of accomodation and this becomes an important factor for the guys (so I understand). All three of them are doing a 14 days on 7 days off rosta.

The thing to remember is the pay is very good, but the hours are long. You work for 12 hours a day (PLUS travelling times to and from the mines) and that is for 14 days straight, with NO weekends. Then obviously you fly home for 7 days to see the family. Not too sure if the day you fly home is a rest day or the last work day, but you'd need to be sure.

Pay is very good which is why they do it, one mate went from $3000 per month to $7500 per month just by working on the mines. He's going to try and stick it for a couple of years to try and clear some/most of his mortgage and then get a normal job. I keep joking that he'll never quit as the though of taking a $50,000 per year pay cut will be too much!

Neil.

Try this place.
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/australiawi...s/s1706458.htm
.......mm

Hi there Mr S,
hope you dont mind me being a tad nosey ? I too was/am a mechanical fitter for 13 years down the coal mines in north east England (Until 1991 when Maggie the witch decided we didn't need a surplus of coal due to enormous amounts of gas and oil and closed them all in our area ( ha ha ha )).What i was wondering is were you involved in the mines in England and therefor have relevant experience and have totally been ignored in your pursuit of these jobs?Also as i said i semi retired from fitting in 91 and have worked in factories as machine operator and such since then and was wondering what my chances would be of getting back into fitting speaking from any experience you may have?May i ask if your doing fitting now and is there much in the way of opportunities in Brisbane area.From experience which areas would you class as industrial areas out there for the likes of my work ? Sorry for all the questions but any single piece of information would be greatfully appreciated for the cause !!
cheers Bobby (aged 45 hopefully arriving Brisbane FEB 07)
please feel free to pm me if you like and good luck with YOUR QUEST !

No problem OD.

PM me if I can help further.

If you have your trade papers for a fitter then you would have no probs getting back into it.....you would have to do the safety course etc and be prepared to get up to speed with things again. Hubby is a Mechanical Fitter by trade(1984), he works for a mining co not doing fitting, but has been asked repeatedly to become one of their Service Engineers at the mines. So the need is there

Emu engineering are lookinf for fitters They are based in Mackay but work in the Bowin Basin,Mackay engineering also.My son has been offered a job as a contractor fitter but they are very slow in dealing with things.