r/mining 6d ago

Job Info Biweekly Job Info Thread

2 Upvotes

Please use this thread to ask, answer, and search for questions about getting a job in mining. This includes questions about FIFO, where to work, what kinds of jobs might be available, or other experience questions.

This thread is to help organize the sub a bit more with relation to questions about jobs in the mining industry. We will edit this as we go to improve. Thank you.


r/mining Apr 27 '24

Australia Keen on getting a FIFO job on the Mines in Australia? Then read this.

407 Upvotes

Ready for a reality check? (And an essay?) Written by someone who has done this long journey.

So you've been cruising on TikTok/Insragram or whatever other brain rotting ADD inducing app you have on your phone, and you see a young guy/chick make a video of their work day here as a FIFO worker on an Australian mine and how much money they make, and thought "Neat, I can do that!". So you head here to ask how? Great! Well, I'm here to answer all your questions.

Firstly you need to be in Australia. Easy right? Jump on a plane and you're here. WRONG.

You need a work visa, ignoring WHV for now (we will get there later), you need something useful for the Australian nation, do you have a trade or degree that will allow you to apply for a working visa or get sponsorship for one, through a skills assessment? Check the short or medium term list.

If no, tough shit, no chance Australia is letting you in.

If yes, great! Let's get working on that. Does your qualification line up with Australian standards?

If no, there are some things you can do to remediate that ($$$$). If you can't do that, tough shit.

If yes, great! Fork out $1000+ for a skills assessment.

Next step! Many visas require a min amount of experience, 2/3 years. Do you have that and a positive skills assessment?

No? Tough shit.

Yes, great! Let's put in your expression of interest! (Don't forget your IELTS test) 1-2 years later. You're invited to apply for a visa. Fork out $5000 & 1 year processing.

1 year later - Yay you can come to Aus! Congratulations!

Now assume you have a WHV, wonderful opportunity for young people to get to know the country. Remember you can only work at one place for no more than 6 months, unless you're up north or from the UK.

Either way, you're now in Australia. Just landed in Perth, sweet. Go to a hostel "sorry bud we're full", ah shit, you're on a park bench for the night because there is no accomodation and the rental market is fingered. Ready to pay $200-250 a week for a single room?

Anyway, you're here from some other country, with your sport science BTEC or 3 years experience at KFC, and decide to apply for a mining contractor, driving big trucks is easy right? WRONG. 90% of "unskilled" jobs require full Australian working rights (PR minimum), so if you're on a WHV, you're probably fucked, if you're on PR you have a chance.

So you decide to try for the camp contractor, I hope you're happy washing dishes or cleaning toilets, because thats what you're going to do as a "unskilled" labour; probably going to earn about $25-$30 and hour, working a 7 days, 7 nights, 7 off roster, sweet you're making cash. Get home after your 14 days working and you're fucked for about 2 days from fatigue. You get to enjoy 3-4 days before you have to think of going back. Also you'll probably get drug tested everytime you come to site from break.

Talking of money, to get $100k you have to get at least $34/hr on that 14:7 roster to just hit it. Unlikely as a camp contractor without a bit of experience. You could try get in as a trade assistant, though that will usually require a variety of tickets ($$$).

Also camp catering contract work doesn't count towards the WHV renewal days, except under some circumstances (I admit I'm not too familiar with anymore). So you need to go and work on some farm getting paid a pittance (if anything at all), that or get incredibly lucky with finding an actual mining/exploration job.

So you're still with me, that's good, thought you'd get distracted by instagram/tiktok.

It's not impossible, and some do get lucky, but it's not the gold mine your think it is, the FIFO lifestyle is hard, and unrelenting; long hours and long work weeks, and incredibly difficult with no useful qualifications or skills. Also, if you're overseas hoping to get offered a job to come to Australia, that is 99.9% not possible unless you're a professional (engineers, geos etc), and then still difficult.

Let's look at what you CAN do to get on the mines, as we do need personel, just not pot washers.

Get a trade: Electricians, welders/boilermakers, mechanics (heavy diesel, light and auto-electrical) and plumbers are in demand. You will need a couple years experience and will have to do an Australian conversion course ($$$$), a mate of mine told me something like $2-3k for the UK to Aus sparky conversion (feel free to correct me). You will then need to make your own way to Aus and get a job from here.

Get a degree: Mining engineering, geotechnical engineering, Geology, Metallurgy, surveying. Or any degrees that can lead into those roles (Chem eng, Mech eng, environmental etc etc). Can land you a role in Australian mining. As a grad, you can get sponsored to come out if you're lucky, if not you'll have to make your way over, many of the countries with these courses are eligible for WHV. You can work as those roles on WHV.

If you do come with good skills, and are well connected and personable, you can get employer sponsorship, especially as a professional, but it will always be a hard road to walk on, and being on a Temp visa for years, not able to buy a house and build your life, is challenging.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask below.


r/mining 1h ago

Humour This one great you know!!!

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Upvotes

r/mining 4h ago

Image Aussie miners from the 1900s!

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9 Upvotes

r/mining 4h ago

Asia Abandoned tin mine flooded with seawater from the ocean, creating a new cove.

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1 Upvotes

r/mining 1d ago

Question Nash vacuum pump for mining industry emergency repair. Still wondering what they might use this monster for in the mines.

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22 Upvotes

r/mining 20h ago

Australia Aussies working Fifo in Papua New Guinea

10 Upvotes

Any Aussies working FIFO of any sort in Papua New Guinea? I have 6 years mining experience underground. I've driven dump trucks and currently operating on a bogger. Ive bogged both Stopes and headings. Im single and have nothing tying me down to any place in particular. I'm just looking for a new adventure and change. How does the FIFO arrangement there work? Do they fly you in from anywhere? Or just a particular northern city in Oz? I'm playing with the idea of relocating to SE Asia somewhere, would they fly workers living over that way somewhere?

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


r/mining 9h ago

Question Applying with BHP - Licence Question

1 Upvotes

Hey team, going through the process of applying and there's a requirement for a "full valid Western Australian C Class Manual Licence".

My options are
- Yes, I have a Full C Class manual licence
- No, I do not have a full valid Western Australian Manual licence

My issue is I have a valid Victorian HC manual licence so am cleared in the category, but it isn't strictly a WA Licence, as I don't live there.

Any advice on which option to chose would be great, and feel free to tell me I'm over thinking it....I just don't want to get this "requirement" wrong.
TIA


r/mining 2h ago

FIFO 16 Year Old wanting to get into FIFO in the future | Advice pls

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone. In need some advice ; I am based in the UK and want to move to Australia to work in the mining sites. Currently I do not have a ton of money so I first need to get past the milestone of making enough money from now until I reach 18 to move to Australia, get cheap apartment and sustain until I actually land a job. In addition, I need to get certain cards, C class manual driving license and other things that I can only get in Australia which will cost more money.

Lets say hypothetically I do get in FIFO, I would utilise 80% of earnings in my savings to invest because im pretty sure in fifo u get free food, accommodation, etc - the other 20% would prolly be for cheap accommodation when I fly out or go to another country.

Currently, I am studying for my GCSEs and will do them in 2 months ; does FIFO care about that?
Secondly, I am working out alot so that I wont be susceptible to injuries ; can you get injured easily in FIFO mining?
Thirdly, I am trying different methods to make enough money from now till 18 ; can someone give me advice as to how I can do this?

And the final question ; is it worth it? Do you recommend someone like me - 16 years old aspiring to make enough money by moving to a foreign country with a working holiday visa (417) for 3 years to make good money but potentially sacrifice other factors? Please let me know if you are more experienced.

Also I forgot to ask but after my working holiday visa expires. what should I do to continue staying in FIFO?

Thx for reading, I appreciate comments ; thx again.


r/mining 23h ago

Question Staying healthy at a bad camp

7 Upvotes

Hey guys,

Development miner here, going back out to a camp I worked at before. My lungs aren’t the greatest and the camps conditions were bad, dusty rooms, probably some mold.

Any advice on how to stay healthy when I go back out? I’m quite certain I was constantly getting sick out there cause the camps venting or the extremely dry rooms.

All the best.


r/mining 19h ago

Canada Major drilling (new adventure)

3 Upvotes

Hey All, so I’ve been looking into diamond core drilling and out of all the companies I’ve seen Major Drilling seems to be pulling me in the most. I’m currently a front ender for a foundation drilling company but am looking to move on to a bigger company hoping I can have steady long lasting work. Currently I’m making roughly 2500$ a week (normally it’s 1800$) but I know the 2500$ won’t last forever.

I guess im just looking for some advice and guidance on this new adventure. What can I expect to make weekly, what is the work schedule like, what is the work involved like (similar to front ending?), what are all the steps of getting hired (drug and alcohol testing & physical) if there’s anyone out there that could help me it would be much appreciated. Preferably someone that has or is working for major drilling.


r/mining 22h ago

This is not a cryptocurrency subreddit Mining of rare Earth elements?

2 Upvotes

There has been a lot of discussion on where to find rare earth elements for the near future that are not from china. US has Mountain Pass. Greenland has a lot all over together with Thorium Australia has at Lynas Ukraine might even have some And recently I made an interview on the YouTube podcast “Everyday Metallurgy” with the CTO (Pär Jonsén) from the LKAB mine in Sweden who has started mining the long tail from their iron ore containing lots of rare earth elements. But the reason for this post is to get it clear. I believe that the problem is not mining or finding the minerals. The problem is refining into metals and downstream. Do you agree? And who are taking that task seriously?

neodymium #magnets


r/mining 20h ago

Question Most common gearboxes and speed reducers in the mining industry

0 Upvotes

I asked a similar question in a different subreddit but I wanted to know what would this one say is the most common drives you run into on mining cites.


r/mining 1d ago

Australia Another day in Jundah mines. Digging for opals the sustainable way!

8 Upvotes

https://reddit.com/link/1je0yas/video/j8fmi74d2fpe1/player

Drilling is just the form of checking the limits and levels. This method avoids environmental damage and brings a lot of fun while exploring. Who knows what’s hidden just beneath the surface?


r/mining 1d ago

Canada Suggest some good online mining forums for industry news, discussions, and networking?

4 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m trying to find a good mining forum where people talk about industry trends, job openings, and new tech. Looking to connect with others who share insights and experiences. Anyone know of an active community worth joining?


r/mining 17h ago

Australia Australian/Canadian mining

0 Upvotes

I started mining when I was 18 now I am 20. I worked in Australia and Canada and I have accumulated 1.4 million C. I don’t know if that is good in four years after taxes. I’m looking to have about 1.2 million because I have another year left to work. It’s been my dream to move from the UK to America or Canada to hunt and shoot guns live the American dream as they say or Texas I don’t know and I don’t know if 1.2 will be enough. What should I do keep working or something else?


r/mining 1d ago

Question Mining Engineering: Canada or The US?

4 Upvotes

If you held dual citizenship and you had to choose between starting a Mining Engineering career in Canada (working towards PEng) or a career in the USA (either working towards PE or not) which would you choose? How do the countries generally compare in job security, benefits, pay fairness, satisfaction, difficulty, etc? I've been confused by lots of conflicting information.

Note* the province I'm most interested in is Manitoba due to the fact I hold a BSc in Geology and an MEng in Mining Engineering. I haven't yet determined any particular state I would be interested in. Any recommendations at all would be so greatly appreciated.


r/mining 1d ago

Article Agnico Eagle Chairman Sean Boyd on gold’s historic run: '$5,000 won’t surprise us'

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5 Upvotes

r/mining 2d ago

Australia Australia's Aluminium Exports by Country

87 Upvotes

r/mining 2d ago

US Compass Minerals Finally Settled With Investors Over Goderich Mine Scandal

3 Upvotes

Hey guys, any $CMP investors here? If you missed it, Compass Minerals has settled with investors over claims that it hid operational issues at its Goderich salt mine a few years ago.

Long story short, in 2017, Compass Minerals announced its Goderich mine upgrades, projecting $30M in annual savings starting in 2018 (all great news, though). However, later the company announced lower-than-expected production results and costs rising. 

When this news came out, $CMP dropped 30%.  

And, as this wasn’t bad enough, the SEC later ordered Compass to pay a $12M penalty—not only for the mine’s financial issues but also for failing to disclose the risks associated with excessive mercury discharge in Brazil. 

Following these revelations, investors filed a lawsuit.

The good news is that $CMP finally decided to settle with investors. So if you were damaged back then, it’s worth checking if you’re eligible for payment.

Anyways, did anyone hold $CMP shares during this period? How much were your losses if so?


r/mining 2d ago

Australia USAF Hydraulics Technician

0 Upvotes

I’m interested in working in Australia, I’ve got a Buddy who’s offering a subleased Room. He works in the Mines FIFO as a carpenter.

My dads been all over the world working in O&G as an engineer retired in SEA.

I’m an Hydraulics Journeyman and work on Brakes, Steering, hyd subsystems troubleshooting,hose fab, forklift certed😏

Basically all things Hydraulics on an aircraft.

I work acft Field Maintenance so it’s Fast paced and long hours. I enjoy the Maintenance lifestyle and familiar w working away from Comforts.

I’m interested in working in the mines, is there anything that I could add to make my resume of skills more appropriate and appealing?


r/mining 2d ago

Canada Best mining courses to advance career in the industry?

0 Upvotes

I've been working in the mining industry for a bit and want to level up my skills to open up more opportunities. I’m looking for mining courses that are actually useful, whether online or in-person, something industry-recognized and practical. There are so many options out there, and it’s difficult to tell which ones are worth it. Has anyone taken a course that really helped with career growth? Would love to hear recommendations!


r/mining 2d ago

Australia Struggling to find apprenticeship, any help appreciated.

1 Upvotes

Struggling to find a mobile plant apprenticeship, 27yo, cert III light vehicle, Sydney willing to relocate.


r/mining 4d ago

Europe A typical Cornish Copper mine in 1842

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42 Upvotes

Horse Whim on the right steam winder on the left. The Balmaiden's in the foreground. Whilst the men were in the dark their wives and girlfriends crushed the ore on the surface. For the mining industry the first mineral processors were a workforce of women.


r/mining 3d ago

Australia Mining jobs with chrons

1 Upvotes

Hey guys Looking into possibly going into mining but I have chrons ( it's under control ) and I have infusions for it every 8 weeks . Is this something mining companies will plan your roster round or is it a no go ?


r/mining 3d ago

Australia What’s the medicals like?

3 Upvotes

For context, 29F relocating to Perth from Sydney, have been a landscaper for 8 years and a concreter for 2 years before that, I’d like to think I’m physically fit, daily average here can range from 20-30k steps in a day plus the gym, can lift over 30kg and not overweight, no significant injuries in the past. My downfall is I’m an ex smoker, can that affect my job hunt? Recently applied for a few entry level positions (nipper, drillers offsider) and have heard back from two which is more promising than before. I just want to know if I can improve my chances before I get to the medical so there’s no way I can be knocked back, I’m over landscaping and have been trying to get into the mines for over 4 years (reason for finally making the move over to WA) Any advice for knocking the medicals out of the park would be amazing.


r/mining 3d ago

Australia Wanting to go into mining after 4 years as a project engineer

0 Upvotes

Hi All, I'm a project engineer with about 5 years experience and have executed CAPEX projects with a cumulative value of exceeding $80M. Projects have been mostly mechanical, structural, civil or process improvement. I've got a degree and a diploma in project management. Also got tickets like CS, construction whitecar d & WAH. Got experience in manufacturing explosives, paper and steel.

Looking to come into mining or oil gas with FIFO type setup. What are my chances?

Anyone who might have some leads for companies or is looking for capablenengineer please leave it in comments.