Getting started in FIFO mining

[sunnymummy]

Hi
I am looking for some advice/positive stories about FIFO mine work.
My DH is keen but looking at many ads he seems to come under the category of 'unskilled'.
He did 12 years in the Army and is now in retail but has no other qualifications. What are the opportunities available to him? Are the 'unskilled' labourer jobs still well paid? Is the best way to get started to apply directly to the mines or through recruitment agencies?
Thanks

[summastarlet]

Hi!

We are in QLD and despite my DH having a trade behind him (mechanic) he did not get any responses to his applications for mining jobs until he obtained a 'Generic Induction' (which is a 2 day course), a truck license, first aid cert and a mine medical. Once he had these (which seem to be the minimum in QLD that you need to get mine work) he was offered several interviews. He's now been working in the industry for over 2 years. Most of the jobs he applied for through mining companies and some were through SEEK.

Not sure about other states as the generic induction may be called something different.

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

[Cupcake85]

I know in QLD (where my hubby has been doing FIFO for years now) they won't look at you before you have a coal board medical and your generic surface (or underground) inductions (an SGS induction helps too for BMA sites). Getting a HR licence would help as well.

Best bet would be applying to agencies as most of the big companies won't hire "clean skins" (not experienced). In fact at the moment alot of the operating jobs are for experienced people only. Another way to start is to get a job cleaning on the mine site and get your foot in the door that way.

[Emj]

Hi There,

I've found that people tend to have a bit of difficulty actually getting a start without knowing someone - so use (mercilessly) any contacts that you might have!

Depending what sort of work your hubby is happy doing most are still well paid - mainly due to shear number of hours worked! Minimum hourly wage is generally around $26-30 but is VERY dependent on the company and the location (state) and commodity (gold, coal, iron ore etc)

If your in WA getting MARCSTA could be an advantage

If he's not afraid of hard yakka then bomb crew isn't a bad start - can lead to shotfirering or production drilling and can be relatively easy to get a start. Other options would be Process Technician (in the mill - more difficult without having any experience), Lab Technician, Field Technician or truck driver or even drillers offsider (very physical).

Of all the company's I've dealth with BGC Contracting is very happy to bring on 'greenies' and train them up (for truckies and bomb crew) but they certainly don't pay the top dollar of Rio and the likes ...

HTH, PM me if like - not an expert but might be able to answer some of your questions!?!

[sunnymummy]

Thanks for the info.
We did a quick search and many of the agencies have a joining fee of $100+. Is that dodgy?
Also we are having trouble finding entry level/unskilled positions. Can you point me in the right direction please?

[summastarlet]

Thanks for the info.
We did a quick search and many of the agencies have a joining fee of $100+. Is that dodgy?
Also we are having trouble finding entry level/unskilled positions. Can you point me in the right direction please?

DH started as an offsider (also called drillers assistant/drillers offsider) and has moved up from there.

Try Seek. I wouldn't pay money to sign up with an agency.

[mysticme]

My DH has been working in the mining industry for 8 years.

There are alot of positions that are for unskilled labour. DH is an operator and I am now in training. We have known alot of people who come from very diverse backgrounds and not necessarily with any mining experience.

What did your DP do in the army? If he is working in retail now he could try logistics as an avenue. Otherwise I would apply for positions that state "fixed plant operators". If he has a truck license or similar he could try for "mobile plant operators"
There is also plant services etc

These are the bottom of the ladder in mining but we do very well. You would be looking at 50 to 100 thousand a year.
Get him to look at rio tinto and bhp and all the big mining companies. They are always looking for people. Just be mindful that they can take forever to get back to people and sometimes you need to call them every week to let them know that you are very interested and not going anywhere until they give you an answer.

[sunnymummy]

What did your DP do in the army? If he is working in retail now he could try logistics as an avenue. Otherwise I would apply for positions that state "fixed plant operators". If he has a truck license or similar he could try for "mobile plant operators"
There is also plant services etc



He was in signals - radio communications etc and also did bomb disposal. :eek:
His heavy vehicles license is a UK license and can't be transferred to Aust.

[Emj]

If he has experience with EOD I'd suggest do a seek search for Blast Crew, bomb crew, charge up crew

Also, not all minesites/companies require a Heavy vehicle licence to get a start driving dump trucks so his UK experience would still count for something ... search for Mobile plant operators

If your in WA (based out of Perth, Broome or Derby), I know a company called Mount Gibson Iron that are currently calling for expressions of interest for all manner of positions (particularly bomb crew and dump truck operators, maybe even try Service Crew if he doesnt' mind spending his day refuelling/servicing trucks and drill rigs etc). They don't officially take over the contract until July but will be putting on the odd person here and there before hand

As PP has mentioned mining companies are notorious for taking ages to get back to you and as a greeny you best bet is to almost harass them with a phone every week to show your committed to getting a foot in the door.

I personally would NOT fork over any amount of money to a recruiting company!!!! They charge enough money to the client as is - they charged one company $15,000 to place me a couple of years ago (that was for a technical professional position tho)

[Girl X]

There's a great website called Mining Careers (no I'm not affiliated with it in any way!) which gives good advice on how to start in that industry. It also lists company names and details for you to contact too.

It's just miningcareers.com - hope that helps.