A 2:1 roster is what you should be looking at for a roster. Shorter than that is hard to get without experience. Longer rosters are eaiser to find
Consider shutdown work.
Trying to crack into the industry can be hard if you dont know what to expect.
Move to the state/area you want first.
In WA for hard rock mining, go to Kalgoorlie.
WA iron ore, Port Headland.
Dont aim for direct employment with a mining company. Go to employment agencies, and start contracting to being with. You get the experience and can start networking.
Mining contractors are also a good point of contact to start.
Quote:
by PurpleJim on 2011/5/13 18:52:55
I've worked in the mines for years now all over Australia. I won't mention my job title or company, but I have worked underground when a mine has collapsed, had rib(wall) explode over me, seen people loose fingers/feet, watched someone die in front of me as each cpr pump sprayed blood out of 3 holes in the back of his head, had a collegue explode whilst charging up a face (accidental explosives trigger), seen a hook go up someone's nose and rip back out again, had a young guy get run over and killed by a haul truck, had someone hit by a haul train, to name a few.
It's fun at the start but it drains the life out of you. Make sure you get a good town to live in as it really makes a difference, join the union as soon as you can, and as a heavy diesle fitter $150K per year is really the lower limit of what you want to look at. All depends on experience though so you may have to start lower.
Above ground is pretty cruisey, underground is lots more fun, however as an underground fitter you get the dirtiest jobs (crawling under continuous miners in 3 feet of mud)
Not trying to put you off but everyone I meet thinks mining is an awesome way to make money. It can be (i.e. $330,000 per 4.5 months) but if you are only after lots of money prostitution is easier, much more fun, and you don't have to live in the middle of nowhere.
Jim
Thats some good advice right there Jim. The industry isnot a pretty wonderful place. Its hard work, in an isolated enviroment, with no support networks, and high consequence activties.
Every second person sees to think that you earn a million dollars an hour and live in luxury. couldnt be further from the truth.
A quick calculation of my wages and once you include the overtime, my hourly rate comes in at less than $40/hour. (I wont give you exact numbers) Im not complaining but that took me 10 years in the game to get that. Sure, Im not a mechanic, but its not all peaches are cream is the message.
The answer that I give everyone is this
Dont expect anything special.
Nobody will care who you are, or what you have done, until you can prove otherwise.
Take the first job you are offered, regardless of what it is. Everyone starts somewhere.
Have a range of jobs that you are suitable for. Saying you will do anything will get you nowhere. List offsider, labourer, TA on you list of jobs as well as you trade to increase your chances
I might sound a bit harsh, but dont take it as a personal attack. I just dont pull any punches.
Feel free to email/PM me for mre informaiton here in WA. I know a few people and may be able to push you in the right direction.
Transfer
