I reckon the hardest part would be finding the energy to do much after a full shift. By the time you've eaten and sorted yourself out, it's probably getting close to bed anyway.

Do the days at camp end up blending into one after a while, or do you find ways to keep yourself occupied? Always wondered what people get up to between shifts, especially on a longer swing.

Currently waiting to start at a local mine on a 2 on 1 off rotation. I’m wondering how things work in this industry when it comes to getting time for a 1-2 day mid-swing; what’s the etiquette and the way to go about it? Being a local mine with most of the guys living nearby makes it a bit more flexible I think but, I’m not sure

Before any of the old dogs rip into me for asking about time off a few weeks into this new job, I’m not some slack ass. I've got my best mate's wedding coming up soon and I'm trying to see if I can make it happen, im also super green to the industry so I'm just out here asking the question so I don't look like an idiot.

Recently started a job as a trainee blast crew member (surface, WA goldfields), I have worked in mining for five years mainly in exploration drilling. Was wondering if anybody had a source for any legislation or policies that would prevent a colour blind person from applying for their shotfirers licence?

I have colourblindess but it has never caused me any issues whilst working (I only really struggle with certain shades of purple and blue). I have heard it is illegal for a colourblind person to hold a shotfirers licence, however I have also been told it is not in the medical assesment and there is a few shotfirers out there with colour blindness. So far i've found nothing online so am hoping somebody can provide a clear answer for me.

One of my mates swears he found a kangaroo thigh bone but I’ve never seen it

Anyone worked at bald hill doing fixed plant for Minres ? Been offered a gig there on a 2/1, moneys seems a bit low low 200s

Or is that about right for 2/1 ?
No HV yet tho

On Seek there seems to be hundreds of job adverts for this position constantly, and apparently they're so selective in hiring that they are strictly after highly experienced people 🤣

It makes no sense at all to me. Apparently to get competent in operating these vehicles requires a C class licence and like a week or two training. So why the hell do these companies even want experience when they could hire newer people for less money??

Or is that untrue and there's actually months involved in training someone? Which seems difficult to believe

2nd day on site, permanent rooms are a luxury at the moment. So I’m in the section at camp usually reserved for contractors.

Here’s my thoughts, at inductions how about they teach people how to not piss off those rooming near them. FFS rooms are small, walls are thin, doors - yeah some have to be slammed, but doors can be nipped with a small extra click, and sound deadening material wears out and floors aren’t concrete.

EDIT - I should mention, 2nd day of swing, not my 2nd day on site. Been in mining for 11 years

CONSIDER YOUR NEIGHBOURS assholes!

Hey team, would appreciate some honest advice.

I've been offered an underground nipper role at George Fisher Mine with Mount Isa Mines. It's a 7 days on, 7 days off roster for $95k, with penalties and overtime included in that figure. I applied through an expression of interest a few months ago and they've only just gotten back to me.

I've been trying to get into mining for ages and have spent a couple of grand on tickets to give myself the best chance, so obviously I'm pretty keen. The only thing is, whenever I look up Mount Isa Mines on Reddit, I seem to find a lot of horror stories, which has made me second-guess things a bit.

Another thing I'm unsure about is that they've offered me the job without even interviewing me. Is that normal for an entry-level mining role, or is it a bit of a red flag? Seems strange to get an offer without even having a proper interview.

From what I've heard, nipper is a good way to get your foot in the door underground, learn the ropes, and eventually move into other roles once you've got some experience under your belt.

Just wondering if anyone who's worked at George Fisher or Mount Isa Mines, or has experience underground, could give me some advice.

Would you take the offer? Am I overthinking the negatives, or is there genuinely a reason to be cautious? Keen to hear people's honest experiences, good or bad.

Cheers!

EDIT: "7 weeks on 7 weeks off" to "7 days on, 7 days off"

Looks like it’s that time of year again with rounds of redundancies. With Rio, continuing their lay offs, looks like BHP has also started across its WAIO operations. Apparently it’s only the beginning too with more yet to come. Anyone else heard anything from other companies/ resources- minres/ FMG?

I really do feel sorry for those not expecting it.

I have been offered a job at Fortescue and I have been told all about the great maternity leave benefits but the qualifying period isn't clear. How long do you have to be employed at fortescue before you are eligible?

Hey All,

I have been living in Perth for the past 2 years so far. I just landed a FIFO Full time role with a 2:1 swing. I am planning on vacating my shared house, as I will be onsite majority of the time and mostly, it's to save up on rent . I pay $210 without bills.

I was planning on taking up Airbnb, and that's the option which I figured out so far .

I dont know whether BALI is an option coz I still can't turn my head around the fact if the plane gets delayed or if something happens ? How do you guys do it, especially on a 2:1 swing ? Plz share if possible.

Plz do share ANY ADVICES or Suggestions regarding places ?????

Any insights and previous experiences are welcomed.

Thank you

A mate was looking at moving to a higher-paying role, but once he started adding up the extra travel and longer swings, he wasn't so sure it was worth it. Got me thinking about how different mining jobs can look once you're actually doing them rather than just looking at the advertised rate.

Has anyone taken a job for the money and ended up regretting it? Or gone the other way and moved somewhere with less pay but been much happier?

I know it's not mining, but I figured there's enough cross over in skills and work that a few people here would have experience or there currently.

I'm looking to get on it and just wanted to know if people had experience with what it's like. People, culture, the camp. Anything really. Thanks...sorry if it doesn't belong here.

@scottjonphotography

I dont think it went anywhere but its a wild story...

For background. I am an environmental advisor / specialist / with some superintendent experience.

11 years mining experience, 7 in environmental. Worked overseas in SouthEast Asia and within NSW.

I am applying for jobs in WA but am not having much luck, is it mostly due to not being located in WA? or just because of not having WA experience in regard to WA Legislation.

Any tips would be great.

looking to head over there with my partner who is also in mining and hopefully get on the same roster somewhere. Willing to relocate to WA as well and have noted that in my cover letter.

My boys and I are looking for fossils or gems in Flinders Ranges. We are in Parachilna area but will travel if need be. Thanks!

I’m finishing up my FIFO role soon and have accumulated 11 days personal leave. If you don’t use them you lose them so will be looking to take all 11 in on go.

What’s the best place to get one for this long and what’s the best excuse to cover this period that it will look legit?

Hey all, after some honest advice from people who've done it.

My background:
1. Trade certified in mechanical engineering in UK.

1. About 12 years in the industry: oil and gas onshore and offshore, then moved to Australia in 2022 and did contract shutdown work across power stations, iron ore and lithium.

2. Moved into a QA/Project Planner role on refinery turnaround, then Project Supervisor on a refinery decommissioning project.

4 Currently an SMP Supervisor on a construction project at a mine, FIFO, full-time, about 5 months in.

My questions:
1. What's the fastest realistic path from Supervisor to Superintendent? How long did it take you, and what actually got you the step up?

1. Once you're at Superintendent, what are the main paths after that, and which ones pay best long term? Project/Construction Manager, Shutdown Manager, owner-side maintenance roles, something else? Contracting with your own pty Ltd?

2. I've got the option to do a Graduate Certificate in Project Management. Is it worth it?

Open to any location or FIFO. Appreciate any input.

Hey all!

I'm currently a final year Civil Engineering student minoring in Geomechanics. I have a Geotech internship lined up at a reputed Civil consulting company here in Melbourne for the summer.

I would reallyyy love to break into the mining industry and do fully intend to target grad programs when they come up. What complicates it, is that I graduate mid-year (June-July 2027) as opposed to the typical graduate intake at most miners which is in February, forcing me to wait till the next cycle in Feb 2028.

The consulting company has already agreed to take me in full time for the summer, part time during my final semester and full time immediately after graduation, then formally add me to their grad program once February rolls around.

My two main questions are:

-Overlap between consulting geotech and mining geotech?

(I'm hearing they're totally different with a heavy emphasis on rock mech, consulting would mostly be industrial, general infrastructure and a large airport project)

- How competitive would I be and are there any companies that take mid-year grads?

I did try for vac programs this year but didn't get any primarly due to a) weak profile b) drivers license. A LOT has changed in a year and I genuinely do believe I have a solid shot at mining grad programs now as I already have a solid geotech internship already done, a really good project coordinator role I'm doing now and the big company geotech role coming up + a lot more resume padding through clubs, conferences, solid capstone, etc AND i'm networking like an animal (not so easy in melbs for mining).

If anyone has any advice to the above or in general, I'd love to hear it and TIA!

PS: I'm planning on presenting a research poster at the upcoming UgOps 2027 conference in Perth and I'm thinking of applying my current research work in probabilistic analysis to undeground mining. I'm still in the really early stages (finilizing abstract) so if anyone's worked on this before or have any psrticulsr problems you think is interesting and warrants a deeper look, do hmu!

Hi there,

I'm from WA, and I write short stories. My next short story is going to be around a FIFO site, or at least related to people who work in that industry.

I was very keen on learning about FIFO, what it's like, how it has changed you, the psychological element, for better or worse.

It doesn't have to be exciting, big stuff. Little, mundane things are really important too. I write about slice-of-life, psychology, comedy, bleaker elements. I don't stick to a genre. Life includes all genres, as we know.

For example, how one relates to people back home. Does it change a lot, little bit, or not at all? Also, another example, what is a recurring thing you observe about people on-site.

This post is sort of me interviewing this subreddit.

Even beyond this single short story, I am keen on just amassing a body of first-hand notes, as a writer.

It would be much appreciated if you could share things that matter to you here. Can be anonymous as you wish. It can be a DM too.

Feel free mods to redirect me elsewhere, if I'm in the wrong place asking this.

Thanks for your time

I’m still pretty new to FIFO and the roster itself isn’t the hard part for me, it’s switching between site and home. First few swings I’d get home absolutely wrecked and then somehow be wide awake at 2am a couple of days later. Does that eventually settle down or is it just something you learn to manage?