How to get a start in the Mining Industry
These questions and answers apply generally to the Australian mining industry. If you already have experience in the mining industry but now wish to consider working in another part of the world, then speak with one of our consultants for specific advice.
Yes there are many companies that provide training at a cost. Be sure you know what you want to do before you spend the money and you are clear as to what type of job you can get after the training.
Firstly it would be advantageous to complete the following: (the names may vary from state to state)
- A MARCSTA (Mining and Resource Contractors Safety Training Association) induction is a step in the right direction.
- A HR-X licence (truck licence) and a current drivers licence.
- A Mine Workers Health Surveillance (MWHS) test. This is a hearing and lung function test and everyone in the mining industry is required to have one.
Most sites will require you to have some if not all of these tickets before you will be considered for employment.
We do find it difficult to place entry level people into the mining industry. We find that most of our clients need experienced employees to hit the ground running to replace someone who recently left. Due to time restraints, safety issues, and to keep production at a maximum, they need experienced personnel. There can be exceptions here, where in regional locations (for instance via our Kalgoorlie office in Western Australia) we sometimes place people into entry level roles. Usually this will occur where you have already made your way to Kalgoorlie.
We find the best way to get a start in the industry is to contact the mining contracting companies directly, or if possible look at relocation to one of the regional mining centres. In Western Australia for example the most obvious one being Kalgoorlie. In NSW the Hunter Valley and in Queensland the Bowen Basin regions have several major regional towns which act as large employment bases for the mining industry. There are often a great deal more opportunities for inexperienced people based in these centres, rather than trying to get a fly in fly out position from a capital city at the outset.
If you want the names of the most active Mining Contracting companies, the best way to source those in each state is to review the employment pages in the weekend newspapers and you will see those that are regular advertisers. A visit to their web site will then be the most common second step.
If you have access to the web you could look up this link it will give you principal companies to contact directly: www.australianminesatlas.gov.au
Generally, employers in the resource industry focus on relevant work history.
We would suggest only including your transcript where it has been specifically requested. If you do attach your transcript, make sure it is an Appendix to your CV.
Also, it is best to reproduce your transcript in text format as scanned images are often corrupted when transmitted electronically.
It can be difficult to get a start but in saying that, below are a few options to get you started. Firstly it would be advantageous to complete the following: (the names may vary from state to state)
- A MARCSTA (Mining and Resource Contractors Safety Training Association) induction is a step in the right direction.
- A HR-X licence (truck licence) and a current drivers licence.
- A Mine Workers Health Surveillance (MWHS) test. This is a hearing and lung function test and everyone in the mining industry is required to have one.
Most sites will require you to have some if not all of these tickets before you will be considered for employment.
We do find it difficult to place entry level people into the mining industry. We find that most of our clients need experienced employees to hit the ground running to replace someone who recently left. Due to time restraints, safety issues, and to keep production at a maximum, they need experienced personnel. There can be exceptions here, where in regional locations (for instance via our Kalgoorlie office in Western Australia) we sometimes place people into entry level roles. Usually this will occur where you have already made your way to Kalgoorlie.
We find the best way to get a start in the industry is to contact the mining contracting companies directly, or if possible look at relocation to one of the regional mining centres. In Western Australia for example the most obvious one being Kalgoorlie. In NSW the Hunter Valley and in Queensland the Bowen Basin regions have several major regional towns which act as large employment bases for the mining industry. There are often a great deal more opportunities for inexperienced people based in these centres, rather than trying to get a fly in fly out position from a capital city at the outset.
If you want the names of the most active Mining Contracting companies, the best way to source those in each state is to review the employment pages in the weekend newspapers and you will see those that are regular advertisers. A visit to their web site will then be the most common second step..
If you have access to the web you could look up this link it will give you principal companies to contact directly: www.australianminesatlas.gov.au
Do a search in the Yellow Pages - Mining Section for contracting or mining companies that you could apply directly to.
Sometimes these organisations have different projects underway and they may be able to take inexperienced people.
The Kalgoorlie Office of MPi occasionally places inexperienced people into Trainee level positions in the Kalgoorlie and wider Goldfields regions.
Not all sites require the same qualifications and as some are expensive it is best to check first. The most common are:
- MARCSTA - you can access information on your nearest provider on the internet.
- Mine Workers Health Surveillance Test - a hearing and lung function test that the mines department use as a monitoring tool on an ongoing basis.
- Drug and Alcohol tests – often sites will require you to pass a screen before you are accepted to go to site. These can be done at any medical centre that conducts pre-employment medicals.
- HR-X Driver’s licence (truck license) - some times this is required however it is best to check first as there are costs for all of these things.
The approximate costs for these can vary but as a guide (these are approximate as at June 2008):
- MARCSTA – a generic induction ticket valid for 2 years costs approximately $130
- Mine Workers Health – required to provide a baseline of lung function and hearing and needs to be renewed every 5 years. Cost is approx $80-$90.
- Pre-Employment Medical – completed by a General Practitioner – costs approx $105-$115.
- Drug and Alcohol test – Cost approx $25-$40. Also done randomly on site at the company cost.
A good website to visit is www.doir.wa.gov.au – the WA Dept. of Minerals and Energy.