Mining - my thoughts and experiences

[Hornet]

For those that are interested in pursuing a career in mining, I thought I would let you know a little about what I have learnt from my time in the industry.

Fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) isn’t for everyone. For a start, while most sites are starting to do up their camps due to increased competition for labour, there are still many out there that leave a lot to be desired, especially if you’re used to working in a city environment, be it in an office or outdoors. Some sites will have reticulation to gardens and permanent BBQs for functions. Others are lucky to have a line of rocks to show where to stop your vehicle when parking.

Most rosters available these days are either 3/1 (21days on, 7 at home), 2/1 (14/7), 9/5, 8/6 or multiples and derivatives of that, for example, 5/2, 4/3 is a split 9/5 roster, yet you’re home every weekend instead of every 2nd weekend.

FIFO impacts your life, have no doubt. Instead of being home every night, you’re home for a small chunk of time and then gone for a larger one. If you think that won’t change your social life, impacting on friendships and relationships, you’re an idiot!

People also think we’re paid shitloads, and to a certain extent I suppose it could be argued that way, but when you calculate an hourly rate, it’s really not all that good. The difference is we work a lot of hours in a short period of time, and we are paid accordingly. For example, most wages are based on an annual salary, so here’s an example; 80000pa, working a 3/1 roster, 12 hour days each day. Based on that; 365/4*3 (4 week rotation, working 3 weeks) = 273.75 days a year. Divided by 12 hours a day, that equates to; 80000/ (273.75*12) = $24.35 an hour!

Or try a 2/1 roster (3 week rotation, working 2 weeks); 365/3*2 = 243.33 days a year worked. 80000/ (243.33*12) = $27.39 an hour.

Does that sound like a great hourly wage to you? For spending time away from everyone and everything, away on a mine site? Away from friends, family and loved ones? Working 12 hours or more a day? If so, FIFO is for you.

Now add into that the fact that unless you’re in one of the Technical services, then you’re a miner, a rock ape, a bonehead, one of the “kids” (and most need to be treated like kids), and will probably be expected to do night shift. Most rosters these days are still 2/1 (14 days on, 7 off) so you’ll most likely do one week of day shift, then a week of night shift. You’ll finish your last day shift, stay up as late as possible that night and into the next day, sleep most of the day if you can, and start night shift.

I do have to admit, the camps are getting much better these days; gyms, pools, wet mess (a bar/pub) and some even have personal trainers or people trained a little in that area to guide you on your way. BHP’s Area C had sand trucked in for their volleyball court. There is a phone and 56k internet, all paid for by the company. Compare that to St Barbara’s Southern Cross operations, mining in Marvel Loch. There is no GSM mobile signal, only CDMA until recently, with Telstra’s Next G now covering the area. Internet is available but at your own cost. The rooms in one of the camps are entirely what you call donger’s, or single man’s quarters. That means you have to leave your room to go for a shower and use the toilet. The camps (there are 4) are also spread across the town site of Marvel Loch, so you need to walk for a few minutes to get to the mess for dinner and breakfast. If it’s raining, tough. There’s a can of Harden Up in the crib room!

It’s cold and wet in winter (if in the southern areas) or hot and wet in summer (if up north). It can be dirty and dusty. The trucks are loud. The A/C can struggle to cope with the heat in summer up north.

So that’s a few of the negatives. What about the positives? Like I said before, the wages are good, but with the labour shortage in Perth at the moment, you can also earn some big bikkies working construction. I have a mate that is on close to $120k. BUT, working out here I get to be home every weekend, with a 3 day break every 2nd weekend. My mate, on the other hand, works Saturdays.
Hays recruitment has a website with downloadable PDFs with the results of their salary survey. If you want to see the range of dollars available, check it out; http://www.hays.com.au and here’s the PDF link for the mining sector; http://www.hays.com.au/salary/pdfs07/Resou...p;%20Mining.pdf .
I also don’t do the dishes!!! I don’t clean my room. I don’t vacuum. I hardly spend any money. Pretty much everything is paid for or done out here for us.

I’ve really only addressed FIFO or DIDO (drive in, drive out) here. There are some mines and companies that prefer you to live locally. Rio Tinto and BHP have a few people living full time in Newman. Boddington is also being set up as a mostly live-in mine, as is BHP’s Ravensthorpe mine. Things are different with that arrangement. From the coal industry in Qld I know that you are sometimes offered housing. Depending on who you are and what you do, you may be offered a car, phone and other benefits. I can’t comment fully as I haven’t done this, though I did take a job in Qld a few years ago and relocation was part of the deal.

Any thing else you’d like to know, ask away. There are other people on PSB that work away, and they’ll have a different perspective. Ninja is a bonehead and S4R (is supposed to) do something on the mines, when he’s not broken. Arwon works at Murrin Murrin and FJSteve has it pretty easy doing SFA.

Oh, and if you want a job on the mines, I want 5%. Joking.
If you want to drive a truck, get your HR. That is the number one pre-requisite that most mines ask for. Then maybe your 1st Aid. You could also try doing something through the training/recruitment agencies like QFS.
Try Skilled, Clements, Hays, Extraman and/or Workpac, too.

[Cbr1k]

Great write up dude.

[9zero]

good write up man.

I havent worked FIFO for a bit over a year now, but I saw a picture in the West the other day and I automatically knew it was a donger haha, the same old curtains, chair, doona etc...

Having said that I heard recently that one of the newer mines have at least double size beds, a sitting chair, an armchair and an outside "drinkin on the verandah chair" Tv in every room, phone, all the business - sounds pretty good to me!

Those that do work FIFO don't forget your frequent flyer membership if you fly qantas, the mining companies will let you have the points mostly, and you can use them to fly anywhere you want when you have enough.

[Dyno]

I only worked for 2 years on the technical side of things doing FIFO but I think people should consider the future when pursuing a mining career.
Perhaps it isn't as important for those with trades and those involved more in the admin side of things. I was questioning how difficult it would be to get a job outside the mines once I was older. I felt the longer I remained in mining the more difficult it would be to come back to a city job. There aren't that many city based posititions for similar roles.
I ended up coming back to the city for large pay cut but the lifestyle makes up for it.
Saying that though I still think it is a good idea if you are disciplined enough to put most of your money into savings or investments. Most guys I knew though spent it all.

edit
After reading about the relationship side of things I'll chuck in my exp.
I started working away and 3 months into it my partner of almost 7 years left me. She was incredibly insecure and felt abandoned I think. Whatever the real reason(I still don't know) I'm sure me doing FIFO was the catalyst.
I started a new relationship while working away and she was a big part of why I stopped FIFO. It wasn't just her though. Having a partner makes life more complicated when doing FIFO. I worked a 9/5 roster. Things to do on break included recovering from 9 days straight, seeing mates, seeing family, misc life stuff. Throw a partner into the mix and there isn't much of you to go around. You end up spread pretty thin. Partners have to take precedence otherwise they will feel neglected and you will be back to single life. I used to see my family maybe once a month and my friend likewise. A big advantage of being Perth based is that after seeing your partner every weeknight, you can spend a weekend with your mates without her cracking the shits.

[chief wiggum]

sounds like sheer luxury compared to the 8, 10 or even 12 week on, 1 weekend or maybe a week off if you're lucky, living in a fucked out caravan with 1 or 2 other guys, doing everything yourself that i used to do. where do i sign up?

[Kassper]

Awesomely put Hornet . . . I did a small stint working underground driving trucks, you don't need your license that way!

[lee]

Is there any opportunity doing shit for mining companies other than bonehead shit? I've got a fair knowledge/skill base in IT, and although I'd love the money, and wouldn't mind the social implications, the decision of being a bonehead for a fair amount of money, or having a challenging role in civilisation, civilisation wins hands down.

[Taylor]

Whats the food like on site?

[Mungus]

Interesting write-up Hornet. I have never had any desire to work in that industry, but had mates who did years ago when we were all young and stupid (a great stage in life). They were on 2 and 1, and would just piss all their money up on their 1 week home.

More recently I've got to know more mature people in that industry, and I've seen a couple traps that they fall into:

- While the hourly rate isn't that good, as you say, because of the hours worked the income earned can be good. My thoughts on that industry would be that you do the hard slog to set yourself up, and be able to take it easier later in life. Unfortunately I see lots of people adjusting their lifestyle relative to the income they earn, cannot afford to change careers and get stuck in the mining industry for longer than they would have liked.
- I've seen a number of people who have done the hard slog, be away, and set their family up. When it becomes time to enjoy that and to give up the mining industry to enjoy the fruits of their labour, the spouse doesn't want that person around all the time and they split up. I've seen it happen often. Often the wife has young kids and as the husband isn't around all that often has developed her own social circle and life. When the husband moves home permanently it is too much of a change required, and some relationships don't pass that phase.

It is great that we live in a place and a time where people do have the opportunity to work in this industry, and if managed properly can set them up for life.

[Hornet]

I only worked for 2 years on the technical side of things doing FIFO but I think people should consider the future when pursuing a mining career.
Perhaps it isn't as important for those with trades and those involved more in the admin side of things. I was questioning how difficult it would be to get a job outside the mines once I was older. I felt the longer I remained in mining the more difficult it would be to come back to a city job. There aren't that many city based posititions for similar roles.
I ended up coming back to the city for large pay cut but the lifestyle makes up for it.
Saying that though I still think it is a good idea if you are disciplined enough to put most of your money into savings or investments. Most guys I knew though spent it all.[/b]

I was thinking the same thing, which is why I don't throw all my money at my bike or car, and instead have also put some into property. Was just thinking this morning that, after doing training in Perth last week, it'd be almost worth a 40k pay cut to take a job in Perth and be home every night, but I just got a pay rise about 30 mins ago and, while money isn't everything, it certainly helps.
I also have a similar concern about working after mining, either in Surveying or Engineering, but I think once I leave the industry, I'll also leave my profession. A lot of people do that.
I'm aiming to be a checkout chick. I have the hair for it, but it'll be gone by the time I get around to it, me thinks.

Is there any opportunity doing shit for mining companies other than bonehead shit? I've got a fair knowledge/skill base in IT, and although I'd love the money, and wouldn't mind the social implications, the decision of being a bonehead for a fair amount of money, or having a challenging role in civilisation, civilisation wins hands down.[/b]

Hell yes. Go for it. If you're willing to move, I know a job going in Qld, living in T'ville. PM GYTR_R1.
Seriously, Lee, check out http://www.seekit.com.au/, and the dollars can be great depending on experience and area of expertise. can also try Hays, skilled and other places. Tons of jobs around at the moment.

Whats the food like on site?[/b]

Who cares? I don't cook and don't wash the dishes. It's bloody good considering that.
Where I am they are just a tad working outside their means, because we've expanded so much and the kitchen hasn't, but Friday is fish and chip night, and you get battered fish or steamed w/ a sauce, as well as veggies and other things. Most nights there is a roast of some description, pork, lamb or beef and the option of a curried chicken or something.
There is a hot/cooked desert each night, something like a Sara Lee self saucing choc pudding or something most nights but they also do a apple and rubarb (or other combination) crumble, or there is often pavlova and fruit at the buffet. You have 9 different flavours of ice cream to choose from, too.
That's why I'm such a fat bastard, at 68 HUGE kgs. I seriously don't know where it all ges, cos I do eat!

[hokoyo]

We now pay drillers around $120g per year and shotfirers $110g (rough annual salary and roster dependent) and they still moan.

We battle to get good people who can pass a drug test, work hard and can arrive at work on time and sober. Go figure.

[jme]

well put dude. great write up.

i went from working in an office earning crap money to a job driving dump trucks on the mines in parraburdoo after a very short stint driving at marvel loch.
i did a coarse with a driver training company as well as got my hr license and first aid ticket.
i got to drive some of the lagest trucks in w.a and was an experiance i will never forget.
driving the trucks cant get any easier and to me was easier than driving your car.
my only problem is it is boring as hell, 10kmh down hill, 10 kmh up hill and between 40 - 60 kmh flat out. for 12 hours .........
but you could have books, ipods, cd,s and radio to keep you going as well as food and drinks in the cab.
night shift to me was the best and seemed to go by faster.
the crib rooms and food are great on site and rooms good too depending on site.

to me it was a great experiance and i am glad i got to do it and thoroughly enjoyed my time on the mines.
my only regret is i messed a few people around in getting to it, only to not do it long.
so my advise would be think hard about it and give it ago if your keen as there is plenty of work around if you dont like it.

[TYSON]

Is there any opportunity doing shit for mining companies other than bonehead shit? I've got a fair knowledge/skill base in IT, and although I'd love the money, and wouldn't mind the social implications, the decision of being a bonehead for a fair amount of money, or having a challenging role in civilisation, civilisation wins hands down.[/b]

Hays offered me $35/hr doing fifo Desktop Support 18 months ago, they may still have work coming up.

[FJ Steve]

.....and don't forget. You WILL miss out on Chrismas with the kids, and YOUR birthday, AND AFL Grand Final, and BATHURST etc etc. The mine site, the workers, your room, will become your new community, family, home. You will spend more time on site than at home. If you are married or in a serious relationship, this will make it or break it. In saying that, my wife and I made a deal, that at the first sign of cracks in the relationship, I'm coming home. So far, so good.

It's not all beer and skittles, but if you have a goal, it will allow you to achieve that goal. It certainly has allowed us to achieve SO much in the 8 years I have been doing FIFO.

[priscawa]

From the pespective of someone who is married to someone who has done FIFO and lived in a mining town:

FIFO
The money can be quite good.
Depending on the roster, you get to have several days at a time with the family so can plan to something significant rather than just be at home, though the first day back pretty much a wipe out. Family members at home, don't expect the FIFO person to do anything the first day back.
On the down side, you can't always be home for Christmas and birthdays, kids performances at school assembiles etc.
If someone in the family gets hurt or sick or there are urgent decisions that need to be made Murphy's Law guarantees it happens while you are away. Though if it is something really serious, some companies will fly you home.
It does put pressure on a marriage. If the relationship is strong and stable, it is usually OK, but if the relationship is already a bit shakey, I woudn't advise it.

Living in a Mining Town
Again the money can be good, but you need to be disciplined if you are going to be able to save.
The family is together and you get to see each other each day
If your partner can find work (often hard to do) or can get involved with some social activities, it can work well. If they don't get involved in something, it can be very lonely.
You are a long way from extended family - can be possitive (if you don't like spending too much time with them) or negative (no grandma to babysit). Most companines give you at least one trip back to Perth each year.
Social life is usually good if you don't mind sociallising with the same people that you work with.
Primary school education is usually OK, but you might want to rethink when the kids get to high school.

Having done both: I enjoyed living in a mining town, but we moved back to Perth for the sake of our kids' education. I coped with FIFO but it wasn't my preference. Eventually hubby got sick of being away from the family so much so changed to a Perth-based job that only requires occasional trips to site.

[Hornet]

I'd like to know who read all this and voted no.



Dickheads!

[Dog dayz]

Yeah it really does come down to your goals/aims and personality.

The industry has improved only due to the reasons of skill shortages vs demand.. put simply the employees have the front foot at the moment. For this you can thank higher wages/ better rosters etc etc.. but it won't last for ever.
But really if you become one to complain about not having a phone/internet in your room and the food is shit every night I would think it's time to give the game away.
I'm currently starting up Ravensthorpe and it is incredible with the amount of money thrown around here. Watching some of the 18yr old construction TA's buying new cars every week.. It'll be hard for some to go back surviving on a realistic salary after earning the coin here... just hope some are putting it away for a rainy day.....

Just my 2c

[redtaipan63]

I did a 12 or so month stretch as a drillers offsider about 13 years ago and it completely fucked up my home life. I was away for 6 week stretches and when you return you felt like you didn't belong anymore. The relationship I had at the time broke down and then and there I said I would never do it again.

Fast Forward 10 years and I have now been working FIFO for 2 years and while I wouldn't say I love it, it certainly has changed heaps in my life. Mind you I have changed careers so am no longer a "Bonehead" as it was so eloquently put. The old rosters of 6 and 1 are for the most part obsolete now unless you are in construction.

Some deciding factors on working away:

1. Have a goal. Without this you WILL piss up every cent you earn. You will not have any focus and you will question why you are there. Your goals can change or be modified as you go along. You will be surprised how many wannabe Harley riders are saving up for the latest Fat Boy.
2. Set time aside daily to speak to your city bound loved ones. This will help prevent homesickness and seperation anxiety.
3. Be prepared to smile and wait. Waiting and mining operations seem to go hand in hand.
4. Emerse your self in the village lifestyle. Whether it be a couple of quiet lemonades at the wetmess or a work out in the gym it will help you meet people of similiar interests and it will bring home to you that everyone is in the same boat. You will be surprised just how great a support structure your work mates can be.
5. Accept that safety is a massive part of everyday life. Its better to be mates with the safety dept than enemies. Obstinate disregard of the procedures will enevitably lead to a window seat. Even if they seem like a complete waste of time (JSA's, hazobs ect) just remember you are still being paid to do it their way.
6. Leave your bong at home. Sorry you will eventually get caught if you enjoy drugs (and even alcohol to excess) resulting in a window seat at worst and loss of a days pay at best (alcohol only).
7. Its what you make of it. If you carry on as if its fucked, bitch and complain, bag people and just carry on like a miserable c*%t, the place will suck for you. Do the opposite and you never know where you could end up.....beleive it or not you can start as a truck driver, the company may put you through a Cert IV Trainer and Assessor and the next thing you know is your teaching other operators how to do the work.

As with any job, there is good and bad days. But I have found that in the whole it is a great learning experience and a top little number to put in your resume. It has also paid for me to do more courses so I can get a better job back in town, interstate or overseas when I get to it.
Yes not for everyone but if you have a mission, a good attitude and can go 14 or so days without getting pissed, your well on the way to becoming a valued employee on any minesite.

[Jarrid]

I’m in construction and things are very similar. I have done time away in port hedland on FIFO and am just about to go FIFO again. As an engineer it’s a bit different as we just do civil works for the miners, so I am not limited to doing the same thing over and over, and I can choose to do a similar role in perth if I like.

The wages in construction have gone up significantly as a result of the boom (uni graduates are getting double what I got about 6 years ago) and the conditions are also improving. For example, we get paid a site allowance on top of our base salary for being on site. Three years ago I was on a 30% site allowance for 24 days on 4 days off, now I get 45% for 21 days on 7 days off. This is all a direct result of the mining boom filtering through to industries that support it.

[Arwon]

Is there any opportunity doing shit for mining companies other than bonehead shit? I've got a fair knowledge/skill base in IT, and although I'd love the money, and wouldn't mind the social implications, the decision of being a bonehead for a fair amount of money, or having a challenging role in civilisation, civilisation wins hands down.[/b]

Thankyou Lee for your kind words for me and my bonehead mates.

there are awesome oportunities to make heaps of money in skilled positions at every site in Oz. It on site support though doesn't seem to be highly regarded in the pay scales i am sorry to say, you only earn about $90k + super. But tradesman and engineers earn about $100-$160k for an 8/6 roster where i work. I personnally couldn't drive a truck or grader all day, or be a mill rat but they are all have great potential for improvement for the unskilled (no certificates or degree).

As has been pointed out the money is half the reason people go there, But being away from the people you really care about is the hard bit and the reason we get paid alot more to work in isolation.

If you have experience in Ellipse and planning and scheduling you have heaps of opportunities, and we need someone. Anybody who does this PM me for details.

Not all jobs are paid highly, but in my opinion all people have similar conditions and to deal with, and should be appreciated accordingly. (not the same pay but more even that it is )


Nice write up Hornet.