Who works in the mines and what doing

[rare ss]

Been in and around the mining industry for 20 years, keep trying to get away but always seem to go back..

[naddis01]

Still ticking along at Broken Hill.

[Polyal]

Yeap still hanging in there, prices are a bit stronger but cost pressures are still there.

Labour is getting harder to get, its going to be mayhem once CV clears out and everyone ramps back up again.

[LG17]

Looks like the Grosvenor mine in Moranbah could be going into care of maintenance.

[MITCHAY]

There is a trend of banks and super pulling away from funding from mining projects. A lot of blaming all the wokeness but everyone with a brain knows they don't care about any of that ****. It's just a case of two birds and one stone

I am dumbfounded New Acland Stage 3 did not get off the ground... Politicians really have lost touch with the greater good that is needed in this country !!

[GasoLane]

I found this floating around the Interweb...................



From the wonderful world of mining, I'll impart some observations:

Crib means smoko.

There is one supervisor but twenty blokes who know better.

It's always the other shifts fault.

A take 5 is only done after the job is finished.

No one has ever read a whole JHA.

The mine site someone worked at previously sounds the most amazing place on earth.

If it's fly out day, you must let everyone know.

Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton have the best ute duo songs.

No one cares what truck you drive.

The camp food has more calories than expected.

The new girl will be the main topic for the next 3 months.

Nobody complains more than a digger driver without air-con.

It's harder than you think to spray paint a donkey.

Brake cleaner is the best thing for cleaning your beard.

If it has to be done right do it on nightshift.

Draglines are bloody impressive.

No one actually knows what a geo does.

Everyone is an "operator"

There must be something in welding fumes that means you have to drink 1000 beers every night.

There is a "lot" of pressure stored in a high wall pump line.

You can order a live baby from Mongolia delivered to your front door two years quicker than a starter motor.

Everyone has some **** going on at home.

If you can't take a joke, go elsewhere.

Knock off beers are the most important meal of the day.

10 before 10 is a thing.

Everyone has a theory on how to pass a drug test.

Driving a dozer on the tip head turns the most chill bloke into someone who wants to shoot up the crib hut.

If it's not bolted down to 150T+ of concrete, those bolts are welded to chains and electrified, it will be stolen.

Engineers have never seen a spanner.

A 50 cent sensor can stop a muti-million dollar operation.

The snake pit of a digger is bloody hot.

A grader drivers job is to make the road as rough as possible and block drains.

Safety glasses are designed to capture the most dust, the most sweat and the most flies.

People watch some random stuff on there phones. Looks like there is a fetish for everything.

Turning the isolator switch on and off is suppose to fix everything from a bulldozer bogged to the snorkel to a faulty internal light bulb.

Surveying is a two day day online course.

Social events are always on while you're away.

Every hydrocarbon spill is 19.5 litres.

No one just does 4 years, makes some money then returns to their previous job.

The altitude of a digger makes people think they are god.

Not everyone can grasp the concept that water runs down hill.

If someone doesn't want to do something they will do it as per the safe work procedure.

The sound of the two way will enter your dreams.

The only person who doesn't complain about camp food is the guy putting chilli and carrots in his ice-cream.

Not talking to someone at home every night makes for a very long day.

The weak point on a Toyota land cruiser is the chassis

There is a very good reason guns aren't allowed on mine sites.

When working on electrics the general rule of thumb is " in doubt, bridge out." You can always put the smoke back in afterwards.

If you want a job in mining, do what everyone else does and lie on your resume.

Hi-vis is not my colour...

Interesting... I posted that very thing on the Haul Rd page a month ago

Covid in India has created a bit of a lul in coal sales, however i am now a Multi Skilled Operator and our Mine Owners have deep pockets so although i am still a bit worried i will possibly not see out the next 5yr's here until my retirement, they did actually employ 3 greenskins this month already.


If you are registered on SEEK and have an interest give it a go


Average wage is quite decent and with the multiculturism and no age barrier that is taking over in leaps and bounds, the door is open to literally anyone !

[LG17]

The workers at Grosvenor are back underground but the mine is still months away from actually mining. There's a whole lot of stuff to be tested, checked, retested and rechecked before that starts.

[Polyal]

Its still bat**** crazy up here, cant get enough people and the people we have are generally lazy.

I heard the hunter has gone off tap again now too..I know coal is on the nose but I just cant see it slowing down regards of what is in the media.

Getting approval/finance for new mines wont get easier though.

Originally Posted by TrVrPhiLpsiNdstrys

Anyone still reading this thread and involved in the industry ?


I have an update i may post a bit later as soon as i find the post i am going to refer to LOL.

Originally Posted by Random internet Poster
I have thought a lot about typing this , the last 3 goes i had got deleted by refreshing the page on my slow internet connection so here we go again?

Here is a personal experience of a day at the MAC camp through my eyes , please understand this is my personal view only.

Others may adjust just fine to this lifestyle ?

4am: Wake up time, turn on the lights/shower/ brush teeth and get dressed..

4.30am: Head to the mess, walk through the cigarette smoke of everyone standing outside the front doors,swipe in and go select what i want for breakfast and lunch.

4.45am: I go sit by myself but that doesn't last for long ..Probably overhearing a dozen people bitching about the job now while trying to drink my coffee.

5am: Head to the rotunda where everyone is standing around smoking and undertake a breath test, this happens every morning before i get on the bus and as soon as we get to site and swipe in...

5.10am: Hop on the bus and head straight for the back and hope no-one sits next to me.. start panicking about doing a good job today as many others want to jump on my machine.

6.00am: Arrive at Daunia and proceed to swipe in with my ID tag if i pull a red marble out of the bag i will be drug tested and then go make a coffee in the cribroom.
I Try to stay away from all the back stabbing that seems to be a way of life for these people.

6.05am: We have a pre-start safety meeting and discuss the task ahead and any changes/dangers..


*Now i go do my job, fill out start cards /have smoko/have lunch/ fill in my timesheets and any incident reports and maybe we even had a toolbox meeting today*

4.15pm: Swipe out and head for the bus where everybody is standing around smoking.

As usual i am the last one to park up and they are probably talking about me sucking up to the boss ?

Maybe thats why i am driving the BIGGEST machine on site and they are holding the lollipop sign out in the stinking sun all day ??

4.25pm: I get on the bus, it stinks and the 60 other blokes that have been sweating all day don't help things either...

5pm: Arrive back at MAC Camp, walk straight to the mess through the smokers and pack tomorrows lunch.
I don't eat tea anymore as i am trying to lose weight, plus the variety is great but it ain't home cooking!

I head through the security door to the HUB and have a cold beer... or two usually by myself ...

6.30pm: I walk back to my room with a 6 pack it's still 30+ degrees, walk past my neighbours smoking out front of their units (i seriously hate these people) they talk all night (well till 10pm anyway) and i go to bed at 8!!

7pm: Still Resisting the urge to punch the crap out of these ignorant bunch and believe me i am more than capable, but i would be removed from camp if i did so and would probably lose my job soon there after...

7.30pm: I Skype my girl on the Gold Coast and hope her talking drowns out the whinging of the bunch outside and the sound of their empty bottles and cans hitting the bin .

8.30pm: I leave my media player on my pc going so my music will put me to sleep, who am i kidding i will be up at 12/1.30/2.15 and probably 3 something as well thanks to the aircon that shakes the walls and the fridge that sounds like it is possessed.

9pm: I am probably asleep by now dreaming about what i am missing out on back home, craving a relaxing bath, a cuddle and someone who will actually listen to my complaints for a change.

I will be concerned over how long the project will last, how long till i fly home again, whether i am going to get lung cancer from these ignorant smokers and whether that brunette from Goldings actually meant anything when she smiled at me at breakfast?

If it rains, i will be soaking wet walking to the bus and then the aircon will give me hypothermia, oh well now i am whinging lol...

Thanks for reading, if you don't have an issue with smoking , ignorant people, stinky/bumpy/repetitive bus travel, getting up at 4am in the dark,seeing the same faces 14hrs a day, getting jsa's and sop's jammed down your throat and constant inductions, flying in and out, not being able to get in a car and take a drive somewhere/anywhere... you will probably like it up here...

In 6 weeks i have already saved $16000 so there are some obvious benefits to the isolation... but this is not a long term plan for me anymore...

My relationship with ****** is more important than just making money ..

peace out Random Internet Poster

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


And now a NEW perspective



4am: Wake up time, turn on the lights/shower and get dressed..

4.15am: Head to the mess, go select what i want for breakfast and lunch.

4.45am: Go sit with my workmates and talk about our days off whilst drinking my coffee.

5.15am: Hop on the bus , pre start commences and get told where i am starting my day off and what on.

5.30am: Arrive at Caval Ridge and proceed to swipe in with my ID tag


*Now i go do my job, fill out BMA Safe/have smoko/have lunch and any incident reports .


6.15pm: Swipe out and head home on the bus.

6.30: Head into good ol club Buffel and enjoy some Gourmet Cuisine

7.00: We head to the wet mess and have a cold beer with my work mates...

7.30pm: I walk back to my room with a 5 pack it's still 30+ degrees or minus -1 LOL, walk past my neighbours and offer them a beer.


8.00pm: I call my Wifey on the Gold Coast and tell her how much i love and miss her.

8.30pm: I watch a bit of TV and aim to be asleep by 9pm


Thanks for reading, if you don't have an issue with repetitive bus travel, working safely and to a plan, getting up at 4am in the dark,seeing the same glorious faces 14hrs a day, filling out jsa's and sop's to further your career , flying in and out of Brisbane to Moronbah, not being able to just get in a car and take a drive somewhere/anywhere... then you will most probably like it up here and the stress free lifestyle that comes with it...

I am on $120K + Super and i only work 26weeks a year, less holidays + BONUSES !
But i do work 91+ hr's a week when i am at work , but as i have come to realise life is really what ya make of it
Peace out Daz


PS: I still love's ya Mitch

Originally Posted by Polyal

Its still bat**** crazy up here, cant get enough people and the people we have are generally lazy.

A Crew set the 5th HIGHEST O/B Record this week, in the 8yr's the mine has been operating

Originally Posted by LG17

The workers at Grosvenor are back underground but the mine is still months away from actually mining. There's a whole lot of stuff to be tested, checked, retested and rechecked before that starts.

This Genuinely concerns me...

I pray for a good outcome for those guy's and girls.

This is the Shovel i back under in under 30sec every round ( ultimate goal is 36sec ) the 797F i still pinch myself that i am operating after spending 30 + yr's in 773's and 777's LOL

[LG17]

Originally Posted by TrVrPhiLpsiNdstrys

This Genuinely concerns me...

I pray for a good outcome for those guy's and girls.

They're not using the longwall where the problem was. They will start a new longwall elsewhere.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by TrVrPhiLpsiNdstrys

This is the Shovel i back under in under 30sec every round ( ultimate goal is 36sec ) the 797F i still pinch myself that i am operating after spending 30 + yr's in 773's and 777's LOL






image

That must have been on commissioning day, its so clean!

Well i sure as hell wont be posting any current photos from a BMA site will i ?

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by TrVrPhiLpsiNdstrys

Well i sure as hell wont be posting any current photos from a BMA site will i ?

Didnt stop you before

WOW not like i grew up or anything after all these years Alan !


And i happen to like my job.


But say whatever you like on here Alan, it's a free country after all


Still not sure what role you play or where you work ?

For those thinking of joining... Some NEW changes

[MITCHAY]

I really want to drive one of those massive Tonka trucks

I'm not sure I could cut it out there when I already make 6 figures riding a desk. It's nice to dream of a change though

It's really funny with all this crap with China we are locked into a co-dependency with the iron ore price topping $200 USD.

That alone has absorbed all the retarded tariffs them cuts have put on us. I read an article the other day that even the wine industry has weathered the storm too.

If the figures are to be believed we are doing better then before this Covid. **** yeah Straya!

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by TrVrPhiLpsiNdstrys

WOW not like i grew up or anything after all these years Alan !


And i happen to like my job.


But say whatever you like on here Alan, it's a free country after all


Still not sure what role you play or where you work ?

Not entirely sure why you are getting a bit OTT, you previous posted pictures of your work place, in pit etc, pretty sure you know thats not on.

I dont feel the need to verify myself and where I work and what I do does not need to be public knowledge.

Great you like your job, would be nice if there were more like you then we wouldn't have gear within the industry running into windrows nor the amount of incidents we do.

But if you feel the need to post someone's name at least get it right.

Sorry Bruce.

[slowsnake]

Haha, back in the bad old days my contracts were for 6 months on and 2 weeks off, that was worked out by the unions, and it was 2 weeks of your annual holidays, lol.
We fought damn hard for that, it only applied to construction work above the 16 parallel only, plus we got a special tax rate.

You went up to the NT if the Southern coppers were after you, or you wanted to get a big deposit for ya house down south, or you were like me!.
You just loved it, and I loved it..

What the FIFO workers have now is because of men like me and those just before me, all staunch unionists who would strike only for health and safety or more money, we were worth every red cent we earned too.
And if you complained about anything, heat, flies especially, and the cardinal sin was to complain about the tucker, that would get you a good flogging.

The good old days, you had to fight for everything, not go crying to a bloody counsellor!

Cheers Billy.

[shedcoupe]

Well in the Pilbara the tucker is often crap.
The big miners are making bank and yet the camps aren’t so flash - particularly Rio.
I refuse to go to any Rio sites now - the room in the last one was filthy and falling apart.
Sodexo put in a ridiculously low tender last time so the lunches aren’t good.
There’s not much to look forward to on a swing and good food is important.
And the money’s not so great either since contracts came in.

[LG17]

Looks like Moranbah North and Grosvenor will be officially re-opening soon.

[slowsnake]

Originally Posted by shedcoupe

Well in the Pilbara the tucker is often crap.
The big miners are making bank and yet the camps aren’t so flash - particularly Rio.
I refuse to go to any Rio sites now - the room in the last one was filthy and falling apart.
Sodexo put in a ridiculously low tender last time so the lunches aren’t good.
There’s not much to look forward to on a swing and good food is important.
And the money’s not so great either since contracts came in.

I love honesty, food was the most important thing on campsites, if the men were not fed properly or just given processed food they would strike!
It was the only leverage we had.
I actually slept in a tent in the NT while the camp was built?
We still had to work 10hrs a day, 6 days a week, Sunday off to do your washing etc.

I wish every Australian worker was a trade union member, enterprise bargaining agreements favour the employer, always have.
In my day the man on t b e ground or coalface voted for their rights, they were not nutted out in an Ivory Tower in Sydney.

Cheers Billy.

[shedcoupe]

Originally Posted by slowsnake

We still had to work 10hrs a day, 6 days a week, Sunday off to do your washing etc.

Loogzury !!!

It's 8 and 6 or 2 and 1 mostly, though some places will allow 1 and 1.
And it's 12 hours, which means more than 12 especially if it's a long way from camp to site.
No day off for washing clothes - do it when you have time.

Which is minimal for the flesh robots.
Wake at 0400 or 0430, shower, dress, breakfast, make lunch, travel, work, travel, dinner, hear from wife/ husband/ other on phone, watch laptop or tv for a few minutes, asleep by 0800 if possible.
And squeeze in a visit to the wet mess or gym if you're so inclined.

Try to sleep in the heat with noisy aircon drum fans, shift change idiots on the p*ss, laundry nearby with dryers banging away, gensets or septic alarms going off, muppets arguing on the phone with drunk wives at midnight (yeah that's gunna work ....), snorers, farters and tossers audible through paper-thin walls (like the dripping shower next door), clock alarms going off at all hours in the rooms of idiots who have gone home (though if you're on 2 and 1 home is a minesite - where the family lives is just the place you pay for), etc et bloody cetera.

[slowsnake]

Originally Posted by shedcoupe

Loogzury !!!

It's 8 and 6 or 2 and 1 mostly, though some places will allow 1 and 1.
And it's 12 hours, which means more than 12 especially if it's a long way from camp to site.
No day off for washing clothes - do it when you have time.

Which is minimal for the flesh robots.
Wake at 0400 or 0430, shower, dress, breakfast, make lunch, travel, work, travel, dinner, hear from wife/ husband/ other on phone, watch laptop or tv for a few minutes, asleep by 0800 if possible.
And squeeze in a visit to the wet mess or gym if you're so inclined.

Try to sleep in the heat with noisy aircon drum fans, shift change idiots on the p*ss, laundry nearby with dryers banging away, gensets or septic alarms going off, muppets arguing on the phone with drunk wives at midnight (yeah that's gunna work ....), snorers, farters and tossers audible through paper-thin walls (like the dripping shower next door), clock alarms going off at all hours in the rooms of idiots who have gone home (though if you're on 2 and 1 home is a minesite - where the family lives is just the place you pay for), etc et bloody cetera.

Luxury eh, lol Hahaha,
What arguing on phones?..2 public phones for 2000 men, 6 months on and 2 weeks annual holidays off, plus you paid your own airfare? Sydney to Darwin, refunded if you stayed your contract.

You have the luxury, I slept in a bloody tent in the tropics, we all did, and no complaints, no counselling or crying to a Current Affair, lol.
Either you handled it or you went troppo, and these were real men, not what they make now, you imagine 6 months on, no iPhone, no TV, no computers just the wet mess and the dry mess, and lots of euchre and 500, usually 2 handed.


Cheers Billy.