WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Hi
I am in the UK at the minute and have been looking into working in the mines. I have had some experience in small wheel loaders and I used to drive tanks in the Army:thumbsup:
But I'm not qualified for the big beasts there driving, some companies in Oz(perth) offer courses which take 2 weeks for everything you need to work in the mines.
I'm thinking of flying out and doing the course and trying to get a job offer when I'm out there?
Doe's anybody have experience of the mines?
Is it a good idea to fly out and do the course, suppose it shows I'm bloody keen

Your advice needed!:unsure:

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Do you have Aus citizenship or a visa to work here, that will be the main hurdle?

Secondly, if you do the 2 week course you still won't get a job on he mines as they only want people with experience. You need to know someone on the inside to get a mining job.

If you don't know an insider what you need to do is get a entry level job as a trades assistant, geo offsider that kind of thing and after a few months when you have proved you are not dickhead and can handle the conditions that's the point you can get offered the training to operate the machinery.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

It just sounds as though there crying out for operators?. I,m a plumber by trade but it seemed a faster way to get to Oz and to tell you the truth I'm f**'"ing sick of it(plumbing). Where off to the Expo in leeds on the 9th july so should get some good info there.

So your saying its a bit clicky the mines then?:blink:

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Mines are crying out for operators but the ratio of time wasting dickheads who "wanna get a job on the moines" and actual good staff is huge. It really does help if you know someone on the inside who will vouch for you or going my path of getting an entry level pos and moving up from the inside.

As a plumber you'll be quids in here in Aus (from what I've heard) but there could be issues with getting your plumbing "ticket" once you are here. It's crazy, you do all the skills assessments, get the visa then come over and find you can't do your trade because you don't have the local quals. I'm pretty sure plumbing is one of these trades.

FYI, I used to work on the mines in the late 80's. Tried to get a job from Perth and in the end had to go door knocking in Kalgoorlie - got a job the same day! - in the 6 months I was there I saw loads of wannabes come and go.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

It is I've looked!
2 years at college for something I have nearly done all my working life:sneaky:

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Welcome to Australia!

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Are you an Australian permanent resident or citizen?
I would say that you would be wasting your time unfortunately. Just doing a course will not get you into the industry. From what I see, people who chase these kind of jobs by doing courses off their own back get nowhere. Others get hired, get paid to do the courses and walk into a job. Don't know why this is, but it is. Mining companies do need a lot of new workers all the time, but unskilled jobs are in huge demand. Do you have any trade skills? If not, maybe look at getting some? Qualified tradesmen have it easier.

Another thing to remember is that the big mining companies are moving over to driverless trucks. I work for Rio Tinto, and they are operating them right now on a mine in WA. The project I am working on is going the same way. Driverless trains are also coming in. Soon they will have driverless plant as well. They are saving money by doing this, it's just that they are sick of dealing with militant unions and staff, and having to deal with staff who don't give a shit and take the piss.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Yeah I,m a plumber, gas fitter, pipefitter any contacts would be useful, cheers:fingerscrossed:

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

You need to get yourself over here and get a job doing what you know - plumbing, probably in Perth, assuming you're coming to WA.

Once you've got some local experience, look to the large plumbing contractors who build the camps. Beg for a job with them and you'll make serious money doing a 3/1 or 4/1 roster. Then you'll have a chance of driving a truck. :confused:

Me? I'd stick to plumbing, good supervisors are getting upto $200k. I've been told of a plumbing mgr on >$300k for BHP.

Having said all that, there are loads of plumbers chasing work out on site. Most aren't cut out for it, it's a tough gig.

Good luck

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Cheers buddy!

who is BHP?

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

No problem, BHP Billiton - the biggest miner along with Rio Tinto

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Am I likely to get a job out there being a POM tradesman?. I' ready for working hard, just carnt wait to get out there its knackered here:(

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Easy, it's all about attitude. My experience, no-one gives a rats arse about where you're from, but p'haps I've had sheltered time over here.
We have 3 welders working for us, 2 English, 1 Aussie - one of them takes his sweet ass time on every job - guess which one?

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

NEED A PIPEFITTER LOL!

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

I live in a mining town. See plenty of people head up here with dreams of landing a job with one of the many mining companies & end up heading back down south well out of pocket.
Is all who you know, not what or being Indigenous is a massive bonus.
Having the correct license and no experience won't get you anywhere to be 100% honest.
Would say first step would be to get a PR visa and take it from there.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

We've just taken on 2 more welders so afraid not, but as I say, there is so much work here you should have no problem getting work. We've also got an Irish plumber who started with us a labourer and quickly proved himself on site so now works as a plumber for us. As I say, it's down to attitude.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

I have been looking ages for work, I will be at the expo site as well hopefully they should have something

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

If you're outside of Australia you'll likely be looking for a long time.

My husbands job was highly in demand prior to moving (mining engineer) and yet no one would even answer an email until we arrived in the country. Once we were there he had two job offers within two weeks. In 6 months of job hunting (with a PR visa) while outside of Australia he only had one conversation with an employer and no offers.

Actually being in Australia is the key to finding a job. Too many people think landing a job is even while outside the country when for most people it's actually quite difficult. Skills in demand or not at some point you might just have to bite the bullet and come over, if even on a brief trip to see what you can do.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

You will need to take the tests in the uk for plumber and that could take 12/18 months then when you do get to oz you will have to start as a plumbers assistant or even trainee, going to tafe will get you a licence but you will have to be with a skilled tradie for two years usually as assistant, then you will have to take another course to be able to go alone (contractors licence), plumber and gas are two different tickets here so even if you do have gas and plumbing in uk its classed as two different courses etc here
As said welcome to the paper pushing crap here that comes with the migration

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Oh you just dumped my plan down the drain... I'm a mining engineer and was thinking to Ho to OZ to get back to the career path but now? Ehh already went trough going blind when I came to UK, and last two years I spend doing some crap job just to have a life, now I just admit to myself there is no way to get engineering job in here if you have a slightly different specialization. I thought that mining will be close enough to civil, for companies is not... I have enough savings to apply for visas for me and my wife and to stay for a month, but after that? I just seen article yesterday that just WA need 33000 mining specialist until end of those year, so maybe they will change something in way they think and act?

Cheers

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Or maybe China will change it for them.
If China slows, mining is stuffed.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

I would come out as a plumber, then when you get here you don't have to work in your trade.

I would give the pipefitting a try, you won't have to go back to tafe for your tickets either as it's not a recocnised trade here and yet they are screaming out for pipefitters.:blink:

Keel

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Well China have some problems when they realise that financial state of some province is horrible, but even if they will slow down someone else will take over. Demand for mining products will be rising and as they will be depleting the prices will go up. So I don't think that mining companies will see much problems in near future.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

I suppose it depends on how much experience you have too. My husband only had about 4-5 years experience before we left, and all of it in open pit oil sands.

We also moved over back in 2007 so things could be different now.

If you're a civil engineer looking to get into mining it could be harder to tap into. It would also depend on how much mining experience you have compared to civil. Hard to say.

Our problem too is that we didn't want to live in the outback in some remote mining town. So we were only trying to go to the more desirable places so that made it harder for us. If you're prepared to go and live in the middle of nowhere and work your but off for a year or two to gain experience then you might have more luck. We'd already done the remote thing in Canada and we weren't going to do it again in Australia with two little kids.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Heh, experience is a problem. I have even worse position. I got a master in mining engineering and after graduation I was working for 6 months underground as a blasting engineer, then I needed to drop this job and spent 3 months looking for new one and get marketing position for a year. Then I moved to mining R&D consulting company and after a year in there I moved to UK. And here I'm stuck. So 5 years from graduation, just 1,5 year of experience... on top of that I need to apply for validation of my diploma cause no one want to recognise them... only good thing is I know that many people after my faculty are working in Australian mines and made their careers.
I really don't mind working hard, especially in specialization I chosen and love in kind of a way. As long as I have enough money to secure me and my wife and there is internet we can settle:)
Can you maybe recommend woke recruiters or companies where I could apply? It is not something I can do tomorrow as I need visa, this recognition of diploma, pass language test and all this small things, but I need to know chances...

Cheers

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

I would suggest job hunting on Info Mine. Pay the small subscription fee so you can see all the job details, it's not much.

http://www.infomine.com/careers/

As you're looking keep track of the recruiters and see what jobs they're advertising and where. Some might specialize in certain types of mining or certain areas.

Also check out:

www.seek.com.au

I also downloaded google earth and a file that had all of Australia's operating mines on a map so I could see what type of mining was where and who the companies where. It really helped visualize things and gather information.

http://www.australianminesatlas.gov..../downloads.jsp

The only underground mines that I can think of are south of sitting in Wollongong. I'm sure there are others though.

If you don't have any luck with regular mining jobs try seacrhing for new graduate types, basically anything to get your foot in the door. I'm sorry but I can't really remember any recruiters (there are so many) ... so can't help that way.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Thanks for idea with Google earth, I was using map I found on mininaustralia.com also not bad. I don't mind open pits, well I don't mind any mining job;) thanks for links;)
And if you don't remember any recruiters that means they haven't been good enough:P

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Thought as a mining proffessional i would add a few general comments that some may find usefull.

1. There is a skills shortage, but for specific skills. Mines rarely for example would be interested in a plumber. Heavy pipe fitter possibly, but for gold they do like experience do to the nature of the chemicals involved in processing.
2. There are opportunities for unskilled work. Starting points are things like nipper - general dogs body or trucks. However, be aware that nipper is hard work and pretty crap and trucks is the most boring job in the world. We go through truckies at a incredible rate. The other option are on site services such as ESS who provide cleaners, bar staff and kitchen people.
3. Pay - its not as high as many seem to think. Particularly when viewed on a hourly basis. For example the starting salary for ESS is $52k a year for working 2 weeks on one week off split shifts. For actual miners it it can start at about $80k
4. There often is no point in approaching mining companies as most mines - except for iron ore, are contract mined. Which means that the mining company provides the proffessionals and managers only. Mining is done by companies such as Barminco or Downer.
5. Be CERTAIN that you are happy to be away from friends and family for the majority of your life. A lot get into the industry and the working away soon pushes them back out.
6. Unless you are a permanent resident forget it unless you are a mining engineer or geologist. Even in demand trades are rarely offered work without having full work rights.
7. For the poster who is a mining engineer, there is bag loads of work, but only if your qualifacation is recognised here. Safety is the number 1 thing and no company will let a engineer lose unless they are certain he is qualified for the job.

Hope this helps

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Wouldn't consider working away from home for $52k a year, simply not worth it. Better money to be had in other sectors, not sure why there's such a focus on the mines? Gas & oil has much more earnings potential & tax breaks :blink:

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Totally agree. Though be carefull of the "tax breaks". Most of the ones that were available have been closed by the goverment. No more nice going off shore and being tax free in Oz. Some of the harshest tax rules in the world now. Most of the Australian geo's i know wont work outside Oz now as its not worth it.

UK still allow it if your not in the UK for more than 90 days. But even if you are resident here for a week they hit you with the full tax

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

For blasting the big players are Orica and Dyno Nobel who are owned by Incitec Pivot. I would submit your resume to them directly.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Wow, they are still both of them? I was working for them just after graduation, I applied for Dyno then and ended in Orica, because they was taken over;p
Problem is that my boss in there thinks that I run away, cheat him and company and bla bla bla... I don't know why, I just told him that from family reasons I can't and don't want to work remotely and I need to go back to my city. So I don't know what was unfair in that, but for sure they will contact him and he will give me a crap opinion...

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Orica took over Dyno Europe, Africa and Middle East. Dyno kept brand, IP, North America, Australia and Mexico. Dyno can now expand in some other markets. Dyno were taken over by Incitec Pivot in 2009. Incitec Pivot were previously split from Orica.

All I can say is that Dyno and Orica are not exactly friendly so apply to both and only one will know your previous boss. All they can do is verify your previous employment and call your previous referees.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

I think I have spoken to you before on other threads, you say they are screaming out for pipefitters, who, everyone who I have phoned up and spoken to all say nothing is happening, company's like mondel and John Holland, even on internet sites like seek, the jobs seem to be very thin on the ground, if you know the companys screaming out for pipefitters please tell me who they are and where :huh:

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

AGC in Henderson (Perth) has $65 Million in contract's to fabricate spools for Gorgon project. Over 8000 spools in 18 months. May be worth a CV.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Just wondering how you got on with the expo site

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Yeah!

Well to be honest, it was not good!:huh:

I wont be going again they seemed to be just pushing products or services onto you. We got a VIP ticket that cost £79 this gave us an interview with an immi expert who basically said it would cost us to go any further and offered little advise to what we know already. When we hummed and aaaard!. He then offered us a £400 discount(a bit like a double glazing salesman does!). It was not worth £79 so if you go to the next one save your money FACT!:frown:

The seminars where crap, they rattled on about how life was so much better there and unemployment was none excistant and every body got a free bike at xmas and so on and on and on!:rofl:

Don't get me wrong it was not all bad, I was just a little disheartened

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Just to add my son recently started working in a mine driving those HUGE monster trucks, he had no experience of driving them only delivery trucks around Sydney.

And yes he did know somebody who got him in there, though this is in Tasmania, not sure if the OP would like the climate there as apparently people have been snowed in the past few days according to the email he sent me last night!! :eek:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...11/3266190.htm

Edited to add, he has permanent residency in Australia as we emigrated there when he was 6.

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

Just curious as to who runs these seminars?? :confused:

Re: WORKING IN THE MINES
 

I only paid the standard £15 fee, even that seemed a bit steep considering what was on offer, for the pipe trade only 3 from oz, I did leave my CV with them, and all 3 said that they will get in touch,it kind off reminded me of the UK recruiters, just get your CV on the books and never hear from them again, but you never know they might surprise me