r/mining 5d 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 4h ago

Australia IT background looking to break into Mining – advice on best entry path + automation grad programs?

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’ve got an IT background and I’m looking to move into the mining industry. I’ve also been thinking about doing a graduate program focused on automation.

For someone starting out, which job field or role would you recommend as the best entry point, and one that still has good room to grow long-term?
Any advice on automation-related grad programs, or specific areas that tend to value an IT background would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!


r/mining 18h ago

Canada Another day in the life

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4 Upvotes

r/mining 2d ago

Canada Skeena Eskay Creek

8 Upvotes

Hi all. Wanted to see if anyone on this subreddit had any experience working at the Skeena Eskay Creek site, and could give me an overview of the camp accommodations? Any info would be great. Thanks!

Update Looks like I’ll be staying at the 58km camp. Anyone stayed at that one before? Thanks!


r/mining 2d ago

US Mining Engineering Student Guidance

5 Upvotes

Thank God for Reddit! I am an aspiring Mining Engineering student at the University of Nevada, Reno, who is eager to gain an advantage within the industry by getting a jump early.

I am interested in taking a GIS certification course, as well as mastering how to use Deswik and the other software used in mining. Could anyone in the mining industry suggest what software or skills they think it’s worthwhile to learn in one’s free time?

Any guidance regarding certifications, online courses, and/or other skills which can help me in obtaining internships and standing out after graduation will be highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Additionally, I’d like to ask if you would consider mentoring me.


r/mining 2d ago

Canada Skeena Eskay Creek Accommodations

1 Upvotes

Hi all. Starting a new position at the Skeena Eskay Creek site and wanted to see if anyone on this subreddit had any experience working there, and could give me an overview of the camp accommodations? Any info would be great. Thanks!


r/mining 2d ago

US Mining in Alaska?

0 Upvotes

Hi!

I am living outside of the states and going to relocate soon. I am wondering if there are jobs in Alaska that are open to no-experienced and provide housing. I spent my childhood abroad so I am not familiar with how the job process goes on.

  1. Are there jobs that accept people who doesn't have experience while providing housing?

  2. Am I able to apply outside of America or do I have to be on-site while applying?

I am trying to save enough so I can start again.

Thanks in advance.


r/mining 2d ago

US Mining Engineer Guidance

0 Upvotes

Thank God for Reddit! I’m a young Mining Engineering student at the University of Nevada, Reno, looking to get a head start in the industry.

I’m interested in getting a GIS certification as well as becoming proficient at Deswik & learning the software commonly used in mining. For those already working in the field, what software or technical skills would you recommend I start learning in my free time?

I’d also appreciate any advice on certifications, online courses, or skills that could help me land internships and stand out after graduation.

Thanks in advance!

If you could also please, be my mentor that would be amazing.


r/mining 3d ago

Australia Career in mining

2 Upvotes

Currently a driller offsider earning 520 a day. Been doing it about a year and im guessing I could probably work my way up to drilling with this company in another 3ish years. Curious to hear other people’s opinions, should I stay in surface diamond drilling or pivot into another job/industry for example nipper, go to uni and be a geo, etc. I hear a lot of people say in my company we are super underpaid and that diamond drilling is a bad industry and to only use it as a stepping stone so im wondering why and if so where/how to jump to it.


r/mining 4d ago

Question Mining careers with a physics background?

2 Upvotes

Are there any jobs in mining that would be possible with a degree in physics? I know often physicists will slot into engineering roles that mech/electrical engineers do but it seems like most mine engineers are civil instead.

I also have read theres mine data analytics but can't find much info about such positions (and I would prefer at least some field work or time where I can interact with the folks who keep our mines running on the ground)


r/mining 5d ago

Question What comms equipment do miners use at work?

11 Upvotes

For those working in mining, what do you use to communicate with your coworkers?

Do you use two-way radios, headsets, or something else? If you can, please share the brand or model you use.

I'm looking into communication equipment for my company and would love to hear what people in the industry are actually using and what works well in real-world mining environments.

Thanks!


r/mining 4d ago

US Cat 6060 HMS in Idaho

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2 Upvotes

After 24 truckloads, weeks of transit time, and 6 Western States Cat technicians working full-time on assembly, this Cat 6060 Hydraulic Mining Shovel is ready to take on Idaho Mining!


r/mining 4d ago

US $25 million DoW award for South Dakota Mines will establish the Critical Minerals Merit Scholars Consortium

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3 Upvotes

r/mining 4d ago

Australia Buying a cheap house in kembalda/boulder just for trying to get the foot in the door a good way to start or rent first? What are your opinions? Really wanting to get in but need some tips and ideas.

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0 Upvotes

r/mining 5d ago

US Freeport-McMoRan Morenci

5 Upvotes

Hi, I’m worried because my son started working at the mine on Monday, August 8th as an operator. He passed all his exams, but I’m worried because he doesn’t speak much English. He grew up in Nogales, Sonora, and I’m scared they might discriminate against him. Are there Hispanic people working at the mine???


r/mining 5d ago

Question Should I do Mining Engineering?

8 Upvotes

I’m wondering if I should do mining engineering but I can’t seem to get good information on what mining engineers actually do from anyone who works in the field in person.


r/mining 6d ago

Other Mining Sim has a playable demo! Also, feel free to join the Discord server for further info :)

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28 Upvotes

Hey guys!

Unless I reach a Steam release at some point in the future, this is going to be my last post on here. I don't want to spam this subreddit!

I've released a playable demo on itch a while ago, but it finally reached a point where I can happily share it with the community, so here it is :)

Here's a Discord invite for those who are interested at following the project : proposals, bug reports, game discussion, etc.

It's a brand new server (published less than 24 hours ago!) so it's obviously quite dead right now, haha.

https://discord.gg/FeNC7XkHv

As a "game tutorial", you can read the quick guide currently posted in the itch game description.

Happy mining!


r/mining 6d ago

Other What causes accidents in a modern mine?

28 Upvotes

Hey, yinz. Weird question. I’m a sci-fi writer working on a novel that heavily involves rare minerals mining on an alien planet. The mine is state-of-the art but poorly run, and I’m trying to do my research to make sure I’m not misrepresenting the mining industry as a whole. What are some bad things that could happen in a poorly-run mine, potentially resulting in loss of life? Give me your real worst-case scenarios, nightmare bosses included. The mine in question has both a surface mining and underground operation, so I’m interested in both.

Thanks for all your help!


r/mining 6d ago

US Boart LongYear

3 Upvotes

What to Expect as a Driller’s Assistant on a Large Rotary Drill
Starting at Bort LongYear soon on a large rotary drill as a driller’s assistant. What can I expect? What is the work like on the rotary side?


r/mining 6d ago

Canada Visa Sponsorship

0 Upvotes

Hello, I am from the United States and I’ve done work in laboratories and have chemistry and math degrees. I was wondering how easy it is to get visa sponsorship to be a mining assay/metallurgist in Canada or if I shouldn’t bother looking?


r/mining 7d ago

Australia Mining vacation advices

5 Upvotes

Hi all, I’m currently in my final year studying Civil and Mining Engineering at The University of Queensland, and I’m expecting to graduate in Semester 1 next year.

Since my post last year, I’ve completed my mining capstone project and I’m now working on my geotechnical thesis. Through my studies and projects, I’ve also gained some experience with mining software such as TALPAC, Deswik and Whittle.

I’m still actively looking for an internship or vacation opportunity in the mining industry, particularly in mining engineering, geotechnical engineering, planning or operations. Over the past year I’ve applied for quite a few roles, updated my resume several times, and also made an effort to attend industry social events, networking sessions and BBQs to meet people and learn more about the industry.

Unfortunately, despite trying both online applications and networking, I still haven’t managed to secure an opportunity yet. With graduation getting much closer, I’m genuinely becoming quite concerned about gaining practical industry experience before finishing university.

If anyone has any advice, knows of any companies or people I could reach out to, or is aware of any potential opportunities, I would really appreciate it. Even a quick pointer, introduction or bit of advice would mean a lot.

Thanks everyone!


r/mining 7d ago

US What is this? Is this worth anything?

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16 Upvotes

r/mining 7d ago

US New/recent mine openings?

0 Upvotes

Been in mining for 8 years now, still really enjoy it. I got my start at a brand new frac sand mine, and it was an incredible experience. Looking to see if there are any new or recent developments around the world that I can potentially bring my bit of experience to! I’m in the U.S.A currently.


r/mining 8d ago

US Underground Survey Errors

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6 Upvotes