r/AusMining

Everytime I fly out, the plane is packed, no spare seats. There is this one guy who is a pretty big guy and if you get seated next to him, you're pressed up against his armpit the entire flight. You can't ask for a different seat because there aren't any spares.

On the last flight home, he was seated in the emergency row which I felt probably wasn't ideal as I can't imagine a guy like that actually being able to help in an emergency, he'd just get in the way.

Anyway, how do we deal with this? I'm thinking he should be booked on a later flight, where there's spare seats and he should get two seats. I want the complaint to seem more like an accommodation/transport issue, rather than a personal attack. Also, who do I talk to?

I have been offered a role as a green process operator in a gold plant. I am keen to know what the long term career trajectory looks like in the metallurgy and processing stream if you do not have a formal university qualification. Can you eventually work up to management or do you hit a ceiling?

My partner's been FIFO from Perth on a 2:1 for almost a year now and I feel like we're not coping the best. Some swings are ok, but most are really hard. We're struggling with a few things but mainly just communication while he's away. I try to keep my partner involved with the day-to-day and kids as much as I can but it's hard. We've got two toddlers, and between their routine and his (plus my own work) I feel like we barely speak. We dont even get to have a decent conversation most days — and especially when he's on nights. Things aren't much better when he gets home, which i understand, I know he's tired but lately it just feels like we're room mates 🤣 is that just our season of life or should we be trying harder? I've been looking into stuff online, even some workshops for FIFO families I'm actually considering. Just wondering if there are other FIFO families out there who've worked through this, and how you did it?

Hi everyone - I hope you are all well!

Looking for genuine feedback.

On site I am seeing a lot of flanges but not that much Victaulic. But I cant wrap my head around why? Victaulic offer pipeline systems which are 10 times faster to install than flanges. The only place Victaulic is see dominates the market is underground (for obvious reasons).

I see so many benefits to it

So those of you that work in this field - why don’t you use more of it.

Does anyone have any issues with your gear or tools moving in the tray of your ute?

I finished the pre-employee stage for a utility position at Sodexo, but they don’t have any current job openings. They are telling me they are completely unclear on the wait time. Does anyone have any idea in their experience how long it usually takes/their experience with Sodexo or any advice? Thank you in advance

i would like to move to australia with a whv at 18 yo working utilities in mines, is it unrealistic or i can do it? i’m gonna get all the tickets needed

The standard ones sit on top of my head sort of like those little jew hats and falls off really easily.

I'm looking for something at least 66cm, the only one's I've been able to find say they fit up to 66cm which is bullshit because like I said they just don't sit right. Annoying af

Surely I'm not the only meat head with this problem?

For anyone who went through the process recently, is it better to lock in a tier-one program early or hold out for a mid-tier operator where you might get more hands-on experience quickly?

Hey everyone,
I’m currently in Spain, no uni degrees, but physically fit and ready for hard work. 25 years old and 120kg on bench press so physically strong and fit. Motivated to start a long drilling career but with no experience. I’m Moving to Perth soon with the sole goal of getting a Driller Offsider role as fast as possible. I know how brutal the job is (12h shifts, heat, FIFO life), but I have the grit for it.
Since I can't sign a 6-month lease right away, I’m staying in a hostel first and doing a 2-week blitz to get hired.
My 14-day plan:
• Days 1-4: Get Telstra SIM, TFN, bank account, and smash out White Card + First Aid/CPR and Any further courses needed.
• Days 5-10: Put on work boots and walk in person into recruitment agencies in Perth (True Resources, Techforce, WorkPac, Aston). I'll pitch myself directly to blue-collar recruiters as ready to fly immediately.
• Days 11-14: Pass the medical/drug test, get inductions, and secure a roster.
• Plan B: Use the White Card for immediate city construction labor if mining onboarding takes longer, just to cover expenses.
• Housing: Once on a roster, find a sharehouse near PER airport with a FIFO discount.
My questions:

1. Is a 2-week turnaround to get signed realistic for a "green" starter if I knock on doors in person?
2. Do drilling companies mind the 6-month visa limit for entry-level roles, or do they bypass it?
3. Any specific contractors I should visit directly?

Company A is confirmed: signed contract, medical cleared, onboarding done, travel/start tomorrow. It’s 3/1 at $475/day 12hour days plus super. Company B was messy with delays and reference issues, but now says induction is this week and the offer sounds better: $540/day 12hour days, 2/1, plus super. I don’t want to burn a bridge after signing, but I also don’t want to ignore better pay and more time off if Company B actually sends the contract.

About to start working in the mines in qld and wondering if any good causal page on here for singles in the mines?

Do any companies still fly from the east coast to WA? 5 years experience as a rigger/scaffie with advanced tickets in both and a bit of experience operating Frannas and slew cranes up to 150 tonnes when operators no show. Kinda bored with east coast gold and copper mines and want to try out west but the wife doesn't want to move so far away with young kids. Anyone know of any companies that don't mind flying east coast boys over for work?

hi, im from italy and this november i'll be 18 years old. studying school subjects ain't my stuff so i won't go to university and i wanna fly to Australia with the wh to work and get enough money to pay for my aviation school to pursue my dream of becoming an airline pilot (approx 70-100k). i was thinking about mines, even as kitchen hand or cleaner, but people are saying 18 y/o is too young, even though i have experience as barman and i've been a beach attendant at the busiest beach in the zone for two summers now working under the sun lifting deckchairs (and talking to sometimes irritating customers even from spain with which i have to communicate in spanish) for 11 hours a day everyday. this year i'll be the supervisor of the other attendants since i've been the best last year so i think i can manage to manage the stress in aus. what could i do? im willing to get any ticket or documentation required to help my dream even if it's expensive, i already know of basics things as the white card, tfn and more. (are there other jobs to achieve that amount of money?) (sorry for long text)

Hi everyone,

Thought I would ask this group if anyone has any advice for a diesel mechanic moving from NZ to WA.

Basically I am moving to WA with a goal to make as much money as I can over the next few years then leave the industry. I don’t give a **** what work I do or how hard/depressing it is. Whatever pays the most and how to get into that line of work.

Any other advice you think is important let me know.

Thanks in advance

Most of the grad positions I am looking at seem to be standard 8/6 or 2/1 rosters. Is there any room to negotiate split rosters or flexible arrangements early on, or do you pretty much have to put in your time on the hard rosters before you can request better lifestyle options?

I lived for a brief time in a mining town. Is the OMO thing still a thing?

Are people still sleeping with each others partners in other words lol