Does anyone work in the mining industry in WA?

XRchic · 17-07-2006, 09:41 AM

Hi everyone

My partner, Eamon (Cobra) is a recently fully qualified mechanic (light vehicle). He is looking to get out of his current job at a Ford dealer where he is paid **** (and the future pay doesnt look any better), treated like poo and the working conditions are terrible.

He would prefer to get out of the trade altogether but this is looking unlikely at the moment as he doesnt really have anything else to fall back on and jobs in Adelaide are difficult to get, anywhere.

We have been thinking, for a while, of going on an adventure! That is, possibly uprooting the kids and all moving to WA, if Eamon could get a job in the mines up there, or something like that.

I know a few guys on here work in the industry and we were just wondering what sort of opportunities there are for regular mechanics up there - or anything else for that matter. Eamon is prepared to do something different too, or add to his mechanic's skills...

What are the areas where the work is and is there anything up there for any kind of mechanic? Is the pay decent? Could he do something else up there aside from mechanic type work if he was prepared to learn it?

I am going to check out the employment sections of the Rio Tinto and Bluesteel websites, but Im not sure where else to look.

Any advice would be handy!

Thanks

Jac and Eamon

jonk · 17-07-2006, 10:06 AM

I've got a mate who works for H & R Block in Adelaide. He says, from their own internal figures that, there are apprentice mechanics who are earning $70,000 on mine sites... hate to think what qualified one's would end up getting.

XRchic · 17-07-2006, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonk

I've got a mate who works for H & R Block in Adelaide. He says, from their own internal figures that, there are apprentice mechanics who are earning $70,000 on mine sites... hate to think what qualified one's would end up getting.

Doesnt sound too bad, does it? I wonder if they are diesel or truck mechanics though?

The other problem is me getting a job, but Im not that fussed. I will do anything really, its not like I enjoy my job much (tax lawyer) and I know there is no real use for what I do, up there....

Hmmmm.

banarcus · 17-07-2006, 10:25 AM

Been watching 60 minutes? They've been crying out for tradies for years in WA and it wouldn't be hard for your hubby to find work there seeing he already has a mechanical background.

FreezeR · 17-07-2006, 10:35 AM

Im moving to kalgoorlie this week in fact, with a mate of mine. We went through the footy clubs to try and get a job in the mines and we got one, both working as assistant drillers.

XRCHIC try this site too for some good links to mining sites

http://www.jobsearch.com.au/advert.php?cat=41

XRchic · 17-07-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banarcus

Been watching 60 minutes? They've been crying out for tradies for years in WA and it wouldn't be hard for your hubby to find work there seeing he already has a mechanical background.

Yeah, we did see that last night. We also have a friend who is a mechanic who earns quite a bit up there, but he is the hubby of one of my friends and she has decided not to speak to me for year. He is at Roxby the las I knew and was doing quite well.

We have been thinking about it for a while, but more seriously since Eamon has finished his apprenticeship. He also hasn been sure since he thought that they would need diesel or truck mechanics. He didnt think they would want a light vehicle mechanic.

Could be an adventure!

XRchic · 17-07-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreezeR

Im moving to kalgoorlie this week in fact, with a mate of mine. We went through the footy clubs to try and get a job in the mines and we got one, both working as assistant drillers.

XRCHIC try this site too for some good links to mining sites

http://www.jobsearch.com.au/advert.php?cat=41

Thanks mate!

Hey, what sort of qualifications do you need to drill?

Good luck by the way, with your new job too!

FreezeR · 17-07-2006, 11:00 AM

With qualifications we dont have any. Im a qualified carpenter, with a background in pre-cast ( concreting and the like ), which im doing now. My other mate hasnt done a trade before, he's only got his HR licence.

So i think we're pretty lucky!

Fordy · 17-07-2006, 11:24 AM

If he gets his truck license he'll be set, you dont need any qualifications to go to the mines, they have jobs for everyone, even women, one of my wifes girlfriends drives trucks up there.

Laminge · 17-07-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordy

If he gets his truck license he'll be set, you don't need any qualifications to go to the mines, they have jobs for everyone, even women, one of my wife's girlfriends drives trucks up there.

Aye

A friend of mines daughter works up there, has just finished paying off her 2nd house, both clear title, and she is not butch as some would expect.

Just loves it

XRchic · 17-07-2006, 11:54 AM

Ive just been looking at the link above (thanks heaps for that) and there are heaps of jobs! Some even that I could do! I wouldnt even mind doing bloke stuff... Im not THAT butch either...hahahaha (shut up Gary! :P).

Basically Eamon is a qualified mechanic but he doesnt have any special licences (yet) but he has a couple of certificates (mechanics and retail). I have 3 degrees: law, psych and nursing. Plus 5 years experience in government sector management and a lot of project management experience.

Im trying to talk my Dad into it as well: He is a consulting engineer and has degrees in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and has an MBA as well. He also has an IT degree of some kind and has had 40 years of experience doing all of that stuff including running the business, designing software, management and of course all the engineering and surveying.... his experience is endless! I wonder if he would get a job up there!

Reign · 17-07-2006, 12:56 PM

at some places you dont even need a truck license to drive underground, you just want to be aware that you have a metre on each side of you, and if you dont stay aware during your 12 hour shift you could be in the ****

crusher · 17-07-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRchic

We also have a friend who is a mechanic who earns quite a bit up there, but he is the hubby of one of my friends and she has decided not to speak to me for year. He is at Roxby the las I knew and was doing quite well.

Could be an adventure!

We moved from Whyalla, to Roxby and then over here to WA. And its an adventure and a half. Been here over 10 years now and absolutely love it.

Dad started with BHP, moved to WMC and was with them for 16/17 years untill they got taken over by BHP. All a big circle.

But really you dont need much to get out on the mines. My mate has just started with a drilling company and with in a week another one hit him up for a job which has much better pay and everything. He has no qualifications and only has his car licence. No markstar or whatever.

If Eamon doesnt mind doing anything hit up Boart Longyear. They do drilling and are looking for people. Unless they gave him something good to start with you basically start as a General offsider one about 220 a day or some rubbish and then in a few months you go to Drillers offsider and you pay goes up. Then driller one and it goes up alot again. Then driller 2 and so forth. Some very good money. Just one possibility.

Alot of the mechanic jobs are deisel mechs but im sure there are other ones suited for light vehicle mechs as well.

Good luck with it all and If your in Mt barker youll probably end up like us and trying to get out of perth lol. Suburbs suck.

XRchic · 17-07-2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crusher

We moved from Whyalla, to Roxby and then over here to WA. And its an adventure and a half. Been here over 10 years now and absolutely love it.

Dad started with BHP, moved to WMC and was with them for 16/17 years untill they got taken over by BHP. All a big circle.

But really you dont need much to get out on the mines. My mate has just started with a drilling company and with in a week another one hit him up for a job which has much better pay and everything. He has no qualifications and only has his car licence. No markstar or whatever.

If Eamon doesnt mind doing anything hit up Boart Longyear. They do drilling and are looking for people. Unless they gave him something good to start with you basically start as a General offsider one about 220 a day or some rubbish and then in a few months you go to Drillers offsider and you pay goes up. Then driller one and it goes up alot again. Then driller 2 and so forth. Some very good money. Just one possibility.

Alot of the mechanic jobs are deisel mechs but im sure there are other ones suited for light vehicle mechs as well.

Good luck with it all and If your in Mt barker youll probably end up like us and trying to get out of perth lol. Suburbs suck.

Hmm that sounds ok. Thanks for all of that! Ive been looking at links all day, but everything seems to need experience in this and that... and I cant seem to find much on actual drilling or mechanics or anything general like that. Any links?

Hey, thanks for all the advice everyone

Jac

Walkinshaw · 17-07-2006, 03:38 PM

Jac, I lived in Karratha for 2yrs from 1992-1994. Even then there were plenty of jobs for tradies, mechanics etc. Country towns such as Karratha, Port Headland, Tom Price are great places for kids 0-16. 16-20 are the hard years up there.

Would I reccomend it? IN A HEART BEAT. Stacks better pay, and fantastic comunitys. I'd be back up there ASAP if i could.

XRchic · 17-07-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkinshaw

Jac, I lived in Karratha for 2yrs from 1992-1994. Even then there were plenty of jobs for tradies, mechanics etc. Country towns such as Karratha, Port Headland, Tom Price are great places for kids 0-16. 16-20 are the hard years up there.

Would I reccomend it? IN A HEART BEAT. Stacks better pay, and fantastic comunitys. I'd be back up there ASAP if i could.

Yeah I have heard Karratha is pretty cool. I know a mate in high school who moved up there when her Dad went.

Im just trying to FIND such jobs and I cant seem to find much online! Hmmmm.

Walkinshaw · 17-07-2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRchic

Im trying to talk my Dad into it as well: He is a consulting engineer and has degrees in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and has an MBA as well. He also has an IT degree of some kind and has had 40 years of experience doing all of that stuff including running the business, designing software, management and of course all the engineering and surveying.... his experience is endless! I wonder if he would get a job up there!

Um....yes.

If i got offered one up there, im sure you Dad will score one without trying.

XRchic · 17-07-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkinshaw

Um....yes.

If i got offered one up there, im sure you Dad will score one without trying.

Yeah, but he reckons he is too old.

Ive been looking all day and I cant find a single job that I reckon Eamon could get actually! Maybe Im not looking in the right places.

Where are all the Roxby jobs???

Brute6 · 17-07-2006, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reign

at some places you dont even need a truck license to drive underground, you just want to be aware that you have a metre on each side of you, and if you dont stay aware during your 12 hour shift you could be in the ****

Driving on Mine sites, you'll need a Mine licence. Its basically just an induction course, do that, go for a little drive, spot this, spot that, and you've got it. I worked at a mine in Kalgoorlie, and needed to do this. I also worked at the Stawell Gold mine, they had the same thing. Just because you have a certain ticket, doesn't necessarily mean you are up to "their" criteria. But its usually just filling in a few pages, doing a quick practical and away you go. At no cost to yourself either....

In Kalgoorlie, I was with a mob called Extraman. They are a recruitment type place. Very easy to get a job with them - very easy!

But to be honest, you can work in the mines with absolutely no experience. Thats how I started.

Cobra · 17-07-2006, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brute6

Driving on Mine sites, you'll need a Mine licence. Its basically just an induction course, do that, go for a little drive, spot this, spot that, and you've got it. I worked at a mine in Kalgoorlie, and needed to do this. I also worked at the Stawell Gold mine, they had the same thing. Just because you have a certain ticket, doesn't necessarily mean you are up to "their" criteria. But its usually just filling in a few pages, doing a quick practical and away you go. At no cost to yourself either....

In Kalgoorlie, I was with a mob called Extraman. They are a recruitment type place. Very easy to get a job with them - very easy!

But to be honest, you can work in the mines with absolutely no experience. Thats how I started.

How do you get a mine licence? Can you only get it when they accept you and you do it on site, or you just go and do it somewhere externally?

LUXO_8 · 17-07-2006, 08:26 PM

im dead keen for getting a job in mining... just looking into it at the moment but want to do something about it next year.

this thread couldnt have came up at a better time!

MO · 17-07-2006, 08:42 PM

Cobra just a thought apply to the mines for what you think you can qualify for and when you get the job then go for everything under the sun that will improve your situation.

Remember....confidence..i.e. I can do that...and nothing ventured nothing gained.

I once had the aquaintence of a bloke who came out from Scotland,had no quals whatsoever bluffed his way through interveiw...got to site...was given job on x machine and said we didn't have these where I was how does it work...was shown and never looked backed.

GT-P 390 · 17-07-2006, 09:22 PM

I work in the heavy construction industry and build/maintain some of WA's biggest sites. Everyone in the East is fed this rubbish that to earn good money in WA you need to work in the mines and this is simply not true. Their are plenty of non-skilled TA's etc earning $28/hr for 63hr weeks here in the city. If you are to head North expect a 30-35% uplift and if you head south expect 30%.

If you have a trade $2500/wk is not hard to get, provided you are good at your job and are prepared to put in a decent effort.

Lolipop dudes earn $90k pa working on the Metro Rail project so my advice is go for it, WA has 10 years worth of steady growth and offers a fantastic lifestyle to those with young families.

Some companies you may wish to look at are:

United Group Ltd- All 4 subsidiaries United Group Rail, Infrastructure, Resources and Services;
AGC - Ausclad Group of Companies
John Holland;
Thiess;
Western Construction;
Pacific Industrial Company;
Monadelphous;
Transfied;
Austal Ships;
Rio Tinto;
BHP Billiton;
Ravensthorpe Nickel (BHP Subsidiary)

...and the list goes on. Good Luck.

Cobra · 17-07-2006, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT-P 390

I work in the heavy construction industry and build/maintain some of WA's biggest sites. Everyone in the East is fed this rubbish that to earn good money in WA you need to work in the mines and this is simply not true. Their are plenty of non-skilled TA's etc earning $28/hr for 63hr weeks here in the city. If you are to head North expect a 30-35% uplift and if you head south expect 30%.

If you have a trade $2500/wk is not hard to get, provided you are good at your job and are prepared to put in a decent effort.

Lolipop dudes earn $90k pa working on the Metro Rail project so my advice is go for it, WA has 10 years worth of steady growth and offers a fantastic lifestyle to those with young families.

Some companies you may wish to look at are:

United Group Ltd- All 4 subsidiaries United Group Rail, Infrastructure, Resources and Services;
AGC - Ausclad Group of Companies
John Holland;
Thiess;
Western Construction;
Pacific Industrial Company;
Monadelphous;
Transfied;
Austal Ships;
Rio Tinto;
BHP Billiton;
Ravensthorpe Nickel (BHP Subsidiary)

...and the list goes on. Good Luck.

Thanks mate, now I just have to go out and apply for some!!! Seems like its hard to see the trees for the forest! LOL.

Thanks everyone, for all your help and advice and info!

Eamon

347_XR8 · 17-07-2006, 09:44 PM

Stay away from the Mines!!!!
My unlce worked in the mines in WA, had a big accident in which he was blown 6 metres and landed on his feet and shattered his ankles and had to get them fused together, now he can;t walk properly.

Brute6 · 17-07-2006, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra

How do you get a mine licence? Can you only get it when they accept you and you do it on site, or you just go and do it somewhere externally?

Yeah, its usually done on site, and (if needed) part of your induction course, once you've been accepted for the job.
Every mine is different is the way it goes about it, but for the several mines I worked at, this was how it was done...

schmidty · 17-07-2006, 11:21 PM

I have 4 mates the moved to kalgoorlie 12 months ago to work in the mines. They got jobs with aus drill, and basically do exploration drilling in the super pit whick is a massive open cut mine. They started on 70k, then after about 3 months went up to 85k, now are on something closer to 95k as they are qualified drillers operating drill rigs now instead of assisting. If u supervise a crew apparently it goes up. And open cut is a lot safer and better for you than beaconsfield stye!
Before they left i was looking into mining jobs just out of curiosity. Alcan have an alumina refinery on the Gove peninsula which had jobs advertised for qualified industrial trades such as industrial elecs. The going rate was for A 12 month contract, 2 months on, 2 weeks off, $440k PA after tax and living expenses. Trades assistants were on $350k. Apparently its 1 of the harshest places in the country to work, and 12 hour shifts for 2 months straight at a time would hurt! But its that remote there is nothing to spend your money on! Think thats a single mans job anyway!

Ausdrill have a site: www.ausdrill.com.au

They seem good to work for. And my mates had no qualifications or training before they left, spent a week or 2 training when they got there and that was it!

Good luck with the job hunting

Cheers

XRchic · 18-07-2006, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmidty

I have 4 mates the moved to kalgoorlie 12 months ago to work in the mines. They got jobs with aus drill, and basically do exploration drilling in the super pit whick is a massive open cut mine. They started on 70k, then after about 3 months went up to 85k, now are on something closer to 95k as they are qualified drillers operating drill rigs now instead of assisting. If u supervise a crew apparently it goes up. And open cut is a lot safer and better for you than beaconsfield stye!
Before they left i was looking into mining jobs just out of curiosity. Alcan have an alumina refinery on the Gove peninsula which had jobs advertised for qualified industrial trades such as industrial elecs. The going rate was for A 12 month contract, 2 months on, 2 weeks off, $440k PA after tax and living expenses. Trades assistants were on $350k. Apparently its 1 of the harshest places in the country to work, and 12 hour shifts for 2 months straight at a time would hurt! But its that remote there is nothing to spend your money on! Think thats a single mans job anyway!

Ausdrill have a site: www.ausdrill.com.au

They seem good to work for. And my mates had no qualifications or training before they left, spent a week or 2 training when they got there and that was it!

Good luck with the job hunting

Cheers

Cheers mate. Ideally Kalgoorlie would be good, since we could all relocate there and we could stay there a few years.

I tell you what though, that Alcan job on the Gove peninsula sounds tempting (where is that anyway, WA?) - nearly pay the house off in one year. Im assuming that a trade assistant is not fully qualified in an industrial trade but not like an apprentice? 2 months on, 2 weeks off would be harsh but in one year, you would be set up really - short term pain for a very long term gain... I would be tempted to do it myself. Neither of us are afraid of hard work! No work in the world would seem that difficult after a year of that, would it?

My grandfather worked in the mines in the Tanamai desert back in the depression (30s) for years - I reckon that would have been hard going! But he was a massive big tough bastard that one!

It seems there is money to be made, big time, for people who are prepared to work hard for it.

Its mainly BHP Billiton that hires at Kalgoorlie, and Bluescope Steel, yeah? Its just actually quite hard to find these jobs advertised! Must check out the newspapers I guess!

I tell you what though, I remember trying to decide what to do for my last degree. My heart wanted Science (Geology/Biology) and my head told me Law would be where the money is... BOY WAS I WRONG!!!! Law is the most useless degree I could have done.

schmidty · 18-07-2006, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRchic

Cheers mate. Ideally Kalgoorlie would be good, since we could all relocate there and we could stay there a few years.

I tell you what though, that Alcan job on the Gove peninsula sounds tempting (where is that anyway, WA?) - nearly pay the house off in one year. Im assuming that a trade assistant is not fully qualified in an industrial trade but not like an apprentice? 2 months on, 2 weeks off would be harsh but in one year, you would be set up really - short term pain for a very long term gain... I would be tempted to do it myself. Neither of us are afraid of hard work! No work in the world would seem that difficult after a year of that, would it?

My grandfather worked in the mines in the Tanamai desert back in the depression (30s) for years - I reckon that would have been hard going! But he was a massive big tough bastard that one!

It seems there is money to be made, big time, for people who are prepared to work hard for it.

Its mainly BHP Billiton that hires at Kalgoorlie, and Bluescope Steel, yeah? Its just actually quite hard to find these jobs advertised! Must check out the newspapers I guess!

I tell you what though, I remember trying to decide what to do for my last degree. My heart wanted Science (Geology/Biology) and my head told me Law would be where the money is... BOY WAS I WRONG!!!! Law is the most useless degree I could have done.

Ha. There is plent of money to be made in a lot of jobs where you work hard and gt your hands dirty now because majority of school leavers are heading down the academic path. If you're prepared to work hard and get dirty in an area that has nothing else going for it but the dirty work, then its even bigger bucks. I just checked the alcan jobs and they have all of their positions filled at this stage. Gove peninsula is up the top of NT.
Here's the link to the project anyway.
http://www.alcan.com.au/home/content.asp?PageID=313
Will talk to my mates in kal and see if they know of anything going and what the requiremenst are to get the jobs. Like everything in life, just gotta know the right people!

schmidty · 18-07-2006, 12:43 AM

Just called one of my mates up and he said its a great time to be looking for a job. Said basically you'd need to go over with enough bucks to live for about 4 weeks while you do the induction and said he'll need a makstar which apparently is a qualification gained from completing a safety course. That's also done in the 2 weeks. Then you work the first 2 weeks to get paid. Hence the reason for needing money to survive for 4 weeks (2 weeks training & 2 weeks work.) They work a 10 day fortnight, where i think they do 10 nights, 4 days off, then 10 days. Shifts are 12 hours, 12am - 12pm, and 12pm - 12am. Reasonably easy work. If you want some phone numbers, let me know. Can put you in touch with HR manager at the company, or with my mate so you can find out more about it from a workers perspective.

Cheers, Ben