r/mining • u/dofrogsbite • 10h ago
Job Info Biweekly Job Info Thread
Please use this thread to ask, answer, and search for questions about getting a job in mining. This includes questions about FIFO, where to work, what kinds of jobs might be available, or other experience questions.
This thread is to help organize the sub a bit more with relation to questions about jobs in the mining industry. We will edit this as we go to improve. Thank you.
r/mining • u/Important-Visual2199 • Apr 27 '24
Australia Keen on getting a FIFO job on the Mines in Australia? Then read this.
Ready for a reality check? (And an essay?) Written by someone who has done this long journey.
So you've been cruising on TikTok/Insragram or whatever other brain rotting ADD inducing app you have on your phone, and you see a young guy/chick make a video of their work day here as a FIFO worker on an Australian mine and how much money they make, and thought "Neat, I can do that!". So you head here to ask how? Great! Well, I'm here to answer all your questions.
Firstly you need to be in Australia. Easy right? Jump on a plane and you're here. WRONG.
You need a work visa, ignoring WHV for now (we will get there later), you need something useful for the Australian nation, do you have a trade or degree that will allow you to apply for a working visa or get sponsorship for one, through a skills assessment? Check the short or medium term list.
If no, tough shit, no chance Australia is letting you in.
If yes, great! Let's get working on that. Does your qualification line up with Australian standards?
If no, there are some things you can do to remediate that ($$$$). If you can't do that, tough shit.
If yes, great! Fork out $1000+ for a skills assessment.
Next step! Many visas require a min amount of experience, 2/3 years. Do you have that and a positive skills assessment?
No? Tough shit.
Yes, great! Let's put in your expression of interest! (Don't forget your IELTS test) 1-2 years later. You're invited to apply for a visa. Fork out $5000 & 1 year processing.
1 year later - Yay you can come to Aus! Congratulations!
Now assume you have a WHV, wonderful opportunity for young people to get to know the country. Remember you can only work at one place for no more than 6 months, unless you're up north or from the UK.
Either way, you're now in Australia. Just landed in Perth, sweet. Go to a hostel "sorry bud we're full", ah shit, you're on a park bench for the night because there is no accomodation and the rental market is fingered. Ready to pay $200-250 a week for a single room?
Anyway, you're here from some other country, with your sport science BTEC or 3 years experience at KFC, and decide to apply for a mining contractor, driving big trucks is easy right? WRONG. 90% of "unskilled" jobs require full Australian working rights (PR minimum), so if you're on a WHV, you're probably fucked, if you're on PR you have a chance.
So you decide to try for the camp contractor, I hope you're happy washing dishes or cleaning toilets, because thats what you're going to do as a "unskilled" labour; probably going to earn about $25-$30 and hour, working a 7 days, 7 nights, 7 off roster, sweet you're making cash. Get home after your 14 days working and you're fucked for about 2 days from fatigue. You get to enjoy 3-4 days before you have to think of going back. Also you'll probably get drug tested everytime you come to site from break.
Talking of money, to get $100k you have to get at least $34/hr on that 14:7 roster to just hit it. Unlikely as a camp contractor without a bit of experience. You could try get in as a trade assistant, though that will usually require a variety of tickets ($$$).
Also camp catering contract work doesn't count towards the WHV renewal days, except under some circumstances (I admit I'm not too familiar with anymore). So you need to go and work on some farm getting paid a pittance (if anything at all), that or get incredibly lucky with finding an actual mining/exploration job.
So you're still with me, that's good, thought you'd get distracted by instagram/tiktok.
It's not impossible, and some do get lucky, but it's not the gold mine your think it is, the FIFO lifestyle is hard, and unrelenting; long hours and long work weeks, and incredibly difficult with no useful qualifications or skills. Also, if you're overseas hoping to get offered a job to come to Australia, that is 99.9% not possible unless you're a professional (engineers, geos etc), and then still difficult.
Let's look at what you CAN do to get on the mines, as we do need personel, just not pot washers.
Get a trade: Electricians, welders/boilermakers, mechanics (heavy diesel, light and auto-electrical) and plumbers are in demand. You will need a couple years experience and will have to do an Australian conversion course ($$$$), a mate of mine told me something like $2-3k for the UK to Aus sparky conversion (feel free to correct me). You will then need to make your own way to Aus and get a job from here.
Get a degree: Mining engineering, geotechnical engineering, Geology, Metallurgy, surveying. Or any degrees that can lead into those roles (Chem eng, Mech eng, environmental etc etc). Can land you a role in Australian mining. As a grad, you can get sponsored to come out if you're lucky, if not you'll have to make your way over, many of the countries with these courses are eligible for WHV. You can work as those roles on WHV.
If you do come with good skills, and are well connected and personable, you can get employer sponsorship, especially as a professional, but it will always be a hard road to walk on, and being on a Temp visa for years, not able to buy a house and build your life, is challenging.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask below.
r/mining • u/Natural-Condition481 • 16h ago
Question What’s driving like at a mine site?
Geologist here, office based and looking into more a career change with outdoor fieldwork, but want to know what’s it like driving at a mine site? Are the roads busy and is it common to have driving safety courses prior?
r/mining • u/PerformanceOdd4236 • 13h ago
Question Experiences
Hello everyone, my name is Daniel and i’m studying Mining Engineering in Brazil, and my dream is to become a geologist and researcher. I came here to ask some questions, so here they go:
1- How is the work of a Mining Engineer in general ?
2- Is it hard to find a job in AU and do an exchange ?
3-Which languages do i have to master ?
4-Which are the really best countries to our field ?
Some things about me: I love studying geology, specially rock ID, mineralogy, structural Geology and mineral exploration in general, i am more of a researcher.
I came to Mining Engineering because it was next to the city my parents live in, so it was more affordable to me to live here.
I started to like geology and these stuff as a child, because i always loved researching about nature and the world that surrounded me, and by reading some Julio Verne books.
With that said, tell me your experiences in the field, how it is or was to find a job, which difficulties you find, and if you are a geologist, tell me if my aspirations are leading me to the way that I want.
r/mining • u/OwlVibesOnly • 1d ago
Question What does a mining engineer actually do all day?
The title sounds straightforward enough, but I imagine the work varies a lot between planning, site operations, safety, technical analysis and dealing with unexpected problems. Is it mostly office based work with occasional site visits, or are mining engineers heavily involved in day to day operations?
r/mining • u/Technical_War_7679 • 23h ago
Africa Question for Commodity Brokers: How Do You Find Credible Buyers?
I'm in Africa and building my network in the commodities trade, with connections to suppliers across minerals such as lithium, gold, chrome and manganese.
I'm also learning how established platforms and broker networks connect listed supply opportunities with genuine buyers and investors.
For those already active in the industry, what channels have worked best for sourcing verified buyers? How do you qualify buyers and avoid wasting time on intermediaries without mandates or proof of funds?
I'd appreciate practical advice from experienced traders and brokers.
r/mining • u/Subject-Juggernaut-3 • 1d ago
Australia Hi all moxy, front loader
Hi everyone qualified chippy here permanent resident cant seem to brake into the mines , im thinking to give up on the Carpenter route and get my moxy and front loader would anyone have any knowledge if its relatively easier to get into the mines with these tickets with no mine site experience i keep seeing need 1 year experience in a live mine site
r/mining • u/Sensitive_Painter109 • 1d ago
US Lunch and Breaks
for anyone that works a Kennecott, can you leave the site for lunch and come back? or do you have to take your lunch in your truck? can you substitute your lunch and leave your shift earlier
r/mining • u/CommercialMobile9008 • 2d ago
Australia Fixed/mobile plant mechanic
I’m a qualified boilermaker doing my plant mechanic apprenticeship but my work only does concrete pump trucks so TAFE has said I have to fixed plant not mobile plant which is 3 units different, has anyone else run into this and have any work arounds as I want to do mobile plant not fixed
r/mining • u/Captain_BOATIE • 2d ago
Other A mine design inside VR headset
Long story short, the Pip app can pull out live 3D solids from Deswik or any CAD mine software and using skills to interacting with mine design.
What do your guys think?
r/mining • u/thestitchedlife • 2d ago
Canada Haul truck operators in Canada
I have a valid license and a clean drivers abstract. Why is it near impossible to get a haul truck position ? Do these companies really not want to train anyone anymore ? Is there a certain program a person must complete or partake in to obtain employment ? Ive applied to dozens of jobs all labeled entry level.
Even in the oil & gas industry it’s the same thing they all want one year minimum experience. So frusterating..
Im talking even heavy civil earth works like they all say entry level and then require 1000 hours.. there’s got to be a way around this?
r/mining • u/FitElderberry856 • 3d ago
Canada Largest Production Mining Blast In History(9.6 million tons)
r/mining • u/ApexSapphireSriLanka • 3d ago
Asia Ceylon Gem Mining: Recovering the Last Gem-Bearing Gravel from a Traditional Tunnel
This video shows a group of miners collecting the remaining gem-bearing gravel, locally called illam, from the floor of a traditional gem-mining tunnel in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.
The process begins by digging a vertical shaft through the soil until the alluvial deposit is reached. Miners then excavate horizontally to follow the gem-bearing layer.
Although the illam layer may be relatively thin, tunnels are generally made around 5–6 feet high to provide enough room for workers to move.
Traditional tunnel construction involves several steps:
* The upper soil is removed gradually.
* Kekilla and areca palm strips are used to reinforce exposed soil surfaces. ( (Kekilla is the local name for a type of fern)
* Horizontal rubber wood beams are installed and supported by vertical wooden posts.
* The tunnel is kept level to help maintain structural stability.
In this particular video, most of the illam has already been extracted, and the workers are recovering the material remaining along the bottom of the tunnel.
Traditional Ceylon gem mining relies on practical knowledge passed down through generations. The wooden support system, the way miners follow the deposit, and the teamwork involved are all important parts of this process.
One important note: These traditional supports are intended to help control soil movement, but underground tunnels can still collapse. Proper ground assessment and safety precautions are essential.
r/mining • u/EngineerMarkLi • 3d ago
Other A rock crushing station that can work at any time
r/mining • u/Mission_Benefit_4899 • 4d ago
FIFO Welcome to r/MiningRookies! Let's get you hired
I had so much interest in my entry level mining adbice posts that I decided to make r/MiningRookies as a devoted sub to get people their start in mining from Australia to the US and everywherein between.
Welcome to the ultimate launchpad for your mining career!
Whether you are looking to break into the industry as a haul truck driver, a geo-technician, a trade assistant, or an engineer, this community is built for you. Getting your foot in the door can feel impossible, from figuring out which tickets and certificates you actually need, to surviving your first FIFO roster.
This subreddit is a zero-judgment zone to:
Ask "dumb" questions about entry-level roles and hiring processes.
Get resume feedback tailored specifically for mining recruiters.
Learn how to transition from other industries (like construction, farming, or retail).
Share honest advice about lifestyle adjustments, shift work, and camp life.
No experience required. Grab your hard hat and start digging into your new career!
r/mining • u/Vegetable_Day_6786 • 4d ago
US Case study: BHP looks to mining waste for more copper
With copper demand rising and conventional supply facing longer development times and declining grades, this partnership is testing whether mining waste can provide a new source of recoverable copper.
r/mining • u/PAPABURG3R • 5d ago
Canada Artemis Blackwater
Is anyone who is currently or previously employed by Artemis Blackwater able to give me a run down on what kind of incentives they offer on their cheques? Night shift premium? Weekend premium? What does the average cheque look like after taxes, and what wage are you making to make that net amount?
I may leave my current employer if the numbers are right
r/mining • u/Melodic-Sector-6396 • 5d ago
Other Looking for historical coal mine subsidence data
Hi everyone!
I’m a mining engineer currently working on a scientific research project on ground subsidence caused by underground coal mining.
For my research, I’m looking for historical case studies from former coal mines where both of the following are available, at least approximately:
- the geometry/location of the underground workings (mine plans, panel outlines, seam depth, dates of mining, etc.), and
- historical elevation/subsidence measurements, ideally as a time series from levelling surveys or other geodetic measurements.
What I’m particularly interested in is the temporal development of the subsidence i.e. repeated height measurements at known points over several years, preferably before, during and/or after mining. I don’t necessarily need a complete 3D model of the mine; even an approximate idea of the mined-out geometry together with a good historical levelling dataset would be very useful.
Does anyone know of publicly available datasets, archives, publications, mine reports, university repositories or government databases where this kind of information can be found?
I’m especially interested in historical coal-mining regions in Europe, but datasets from the UK, USA, Australia or elsewhere would also be very useful.
Even references to old technical papers or reports would help. I’m happy to dig through archival material myself :)
Thanks a lot!
Glück Auf!
r/mining • u/Glass_Examination963 • 7d ago
Europe Critical minerals enter a new era of commercial supply chains
Critical minerals are becoming less about just owning the resources and more about building the supply chains around them.
Mining, refining/processing, logistics and long-term buyers are increasingly being tied together through partnerships and financing.
This article looks at that shift, including the BGN–EMME nickel and cobalt deal and other recent developments in the US and Europe.
r/mining • u/New-Chip4894 • 7d ago
US Question about slow and turn around
I got hired by hytech drilling as a driller helper and this was about 2 months ago and I got a email saying they’re still wanting to move forward with me yet it slowed down for the rest of the year and most likely won’t start until the new year. Can someone give me more info maybe on how that is or why or any other information could help. Just trying to figure out if it’s even normal lol
US Starting in mining industry and relocating family to Nevada/Utah area
Hi guys! I'm thinking about starting career in mining and relocating with my family to Nevada (Elko) or anywhere in the area where we can find housing and good schools.
I have almost 10 years of experience working different jobs at steel mill. My question is, what would be the best town to relocate to with kids?
Which mines pay the best and offer best bonuses? Which companies offer 7/7 rotation? I would probably be looking for jobs on processing and lab end of operations but I'm flexible. Is 120k+ with bonuses a year realistic at the beginning?
Thank You for all Your help!
r/mining • u/Flimsy_Armadillo543 • 7d ago
US Don't have qualifications
Hi, I don't have any experience with mining, I'm looking for somewhere in USA that provides housing and lots of working hours. I'm psychically fit and used to work 100 hours a week for months at a time. Where do I sign up? I'm hoping to find somewhere to work like this in under 2 months. Any help is appreciated
r/mining • u/BrilliantResource796 • 8d ago
US This is actually a pretty cool use of physics + AI in blasting
Saw this today and went down a small rabbit hole.
Apparently the ore can shift way more than I assumed after a blast, which makes the whole “where did the ore actually end up?” problem pretty interesting.
This tool was visualizing the movement into the muckpile and I thought the concept was pretty cool.
Anyone here actually work with blast movement / grade control? Is this kind of modelling useful in the real world or mostly nice visualization?
r/mining • u/Fun-Assumption-8415 • 8d ago
Canada BC Resident seeking advice for mining jobs
Hey guys
I have been applying like crazy for the last couple months and I haven’t really gotten anywhere.
I was chatting with one guy who said my work experience aligns a lot with a construction miner, but these jobs require extensive underground experience. I have also applied for entry level haul truck, some drilling jobs(helper) and some other entry level jobs.
I have loads of experience as a Formwork/ framing carpenter, which I did for about 13 years including several years running my own business. I currently work as a construction superintendent. I am 33 years old
I miss working with my hands so management no longer interests me. The tough pill to swallow is I’m not very hireable in mining, and I’m wondering if it’s because of my actual experience puts me in a weird purgatory between entry level and skilled worker, but lacking any underground experience
Is there anyone else who’s been in a similar spot or any recruiter who can give some advice on the best route to take?
I’m determined to get in but some help would be awesome