Mining in Australia

topmanamillion

I'm looking into immigrating to Australia, I am wondering does anyone have any advice on working in the mines? I hear there's great money out of it. Id be interested in working as a Dump Truck driver. I'm aware this is a fairly popular choice. Anyone have any advice? (Who to get in contact and experiences etc.)
I wouldn't be afraid of long hours as I do 12 hour shifts as it is. The thought of spending a year or 2 out there and being able to buy a house when I come back is very appealing (is it a realistic dream?).

I have 0 experience in mines.
I am in my early 20s.

Blacktie.

AFAIK if you don't know someone in the sector already it is very very difficult to get into. Do you have any certs?

DoYouEvenLift

I used to know a NZ guy who was part of an explosives/demolition team in a mine over there and he said there were lots of Irish guys around the mines. But he also said most of them got in through one another over time as it's a lot to do with who you know in those areas of work, even in Canada.


As for being able to pay for a house after two years. It's possible but not so much for you at the moment as you don't have any experience, but if you got some useful qualifications and got in there and were smart with your spending you could definitely save enough for a very large down payment on a mortgage. It also depends on what kind of mines, some mines in Canada had even just entry level jobs earning insane money for a while there but that's taken a bit of a hit at the moment. Anyway, I'd suggest asking amongst your family and friends if they know of anyone currently in a mine and try to get them to help get your foot in the door.

HarshOstrich

I worked for 6 months in the mines at the start of 2013, I only got in because I knew one of the supervisors,there's was lots of other irish in the same company and everyone seemed to have got on through people they knew so I think this is the only way in.
I have no qualifications and worked as general labour, but lots of the other irish where driving machinery like rollers dump trucks.
I worked a 4 and 1 roster which is tough going towards the end of the stint but I would do it again in a heart beat as the money is ridiculously good.
I earned about 60,000 dollars after tax for my 6 months work and you don't spend much while in the mines unless you drink or eat loads of junk food.
If you did get in with a company for 2 years you could definetly return home and buy a house, that is if you are solely there to earn money and not blow loads a cash on time off.

Mr. Loverman

I thought the mines were laying off tons of people right now?

DoYouEvenLift

HarshOstrich wrote: »

I worked for 6 months in the mines at the start of 2013, I only got in because I knew one of the supervisors,there's was lots of other irish in the same company and everyone seemed to have got on through people they knew so I think this is the only way in.
I have no qualifications and worked as general labour, but lots of the other irish where driving machinery like rollers dump trucks.
I worked a 4 and 1 roster which is tough going towards the end of the stint but I would do it again in a heart beat as the money is ridiculously good.
I earned about 60,000 dollars after tax for my 6 months work and you don't spend much while in the mines unless you drink or eat loads of junk food.
If you did get in with a company for 2 years you could definetly return home and buy a house, that is if you are solely there to earn money and not blow loads a cash on time off.

That's very good, $60k is over €40k and for only 6 months work. What kind of work was involved as a general labour and what was the jump in salaries like between general labourers and other workers? Did you also have good internet while staying there?

HarshOstrich

DoYouEvenLift wrote: »

That's very good, $60k is over €40k and for only 6 months work. What kind of work was involved as a general labour and what was the jump in salaries like between general labourers and other workers? Did you also have good internet while staying there?

It was quite physical as you would expect but we where always encouraged to stay hydrated so you can take a breather when you want.so we weren't worked to the bone, just as well considering you are working 4 straight weeks.we were welding pipes and liner for a tailing storage facility for a gold mine.
As far as I know operators and labourers where all on the same wage.
There was only wifi at camp which was really bad as there was too many people trying to use it. 3G was turned off from the mast as it was effecting phone calls they said so no network internet.
I worked a couple weeks on a different site which was worse no wifi or phone signal only pay phones at camp.