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Post by coalfire on Nov 17, 2008 18:09:40 GMT -5
There is a company advertising in a local paper for mining jobs in Australia. What is it like over there? I know John worked there for a while. I'm thinking about going if the money is right and I can take my wife.
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Post by John on Nov 17, 2008 18:43:24 GMT -5
There is a company advertising in a local paper for mining jobs in Australia. What is it like over there? I know John worked there for a while. I'm thinking about going if the money is right and I can take my wife. Things have changed since I worked there Lannie. When I worked in the coal industry, it was a "closed shop" ie union or no job, 100% union representation. I was in the ETU of Australia. (Electrical Trades Union) Miners were in the Miners Federation. Even the hours have altered, was 7 hour shifts five day week, but checking around I see some companies are now operating a seven day production week now, something we wouldn't do when I was in the industry. Do a google of Angus Place Colliery, I came across their new working contract a few months back, it's a long contract, but well worth reading. I don't know how you'd go on with state mining qualifications from here being recognised Lannie, the laws pretty stiff on those in both New South Wales and Queensland. In Tasmania you have to get an Electricians license, that would entail taking an exam. Again, both NSW and Queensland Coal Mine Regulation Acts are on line if you google them. From what I've been reading, there are several large new underground mining projects opening up, all longwall as the main production panels and room and pillar as developments. Seam heights are good, all main roads are usually 8 to 10 feet high and seams vary between 8 and 50 feet thick! I did type 50 feet. I worked in 12 to 15 feet seams while I was there, we did leave some coal tops to maintain a good roof with heavy sandstone above that. I only ever saw methane at one pit I worked at, Angus Place was free of it, or rather ventilation was so good we never saw a gas cap on a lowered flame of an oil lamp. Although I did see blackdamp on numerous occasions when the barometer was low. Again, I had six weeks annual holidays, paid per year plus all public holidays paid, after 10 years we had 13 weeks long service leave entitlement, 10 days paid sick leave accumulating if not taken. But it's been nearly 20 years now since I left, so things will have changed.
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Post by John on Nov 18, 2008 12:24:35 GMT -5
I dug my copy of the 1982 Act out, it was passed a couple of years after the Appin Colliery explosion and brought the old Act up todate with modern mining methods. Qualifications required for an Electrician. 10. (1) A person appointed by the Manager as an electrician shall:- (a) be the holder of one of the following qualifications:- (i) An electricians license issued by the Energy Authority of New South Wales.
(ii) an electrical trades certificate issued by the New South Wales Department of Technical and Further Education.
(iii) an electrical engineering certificate issued by the NSW Tafe. (same as above)
(iv) Any qualifications in electrical engineering that is accepted as a qualification for membership of the Institute of Engineers Australia.
(v) Any qualification in electrical enigineering or electrical trades from time to time recognised by the Minister as being equivalent to any of the above mentioned certificates. And shall, during the 4 years prior to the date of the person's appointment, have had not less than 3 months experience in the installation, examination, testing and maintenance of electrical apparatus at an underground mine;
(b) be the holder of a certificate of competancy as mine electrical engineer; or
(c) be the holder of a letter or letters from the manager of an open cut or underground coal mine or from managers of several such mines indicating that for a period of not less than 18 months in the 2 year prior to the date on which this regulation took effect that person performed all the duties of an electrician at that mine or those mines, as the case may be.
That was the basic qualifications required when that new law came into effect, they may have been amended. BUT, it only applies to the state of NSW, each state has it's own laws like here. Queensland's coal mine act is about the same as NSW's My advice is contact the immigration department to check to see if your qualifications will be accepted, they have experts in employment fields in that department and are very helpful. Also, your mechanical experience won't be any use, you can only practice one trade, the law requires mechanics to be certified too. Electricians in mining are called "Electrical Fitters" Mechanics are called "Fitters"
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Post by coalfire on Nov 18, 2008 13:48:57 GMT -5
I don't think I could go over there as an electrician but, I have some foreman experience in both outby and in the face.
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Post by John on Nov 18, 2008 14:10:17 GMT -5
I don't think I could go over there as an electrician but, I have some foreman experience in both outby and in the face. Unless its like a Class3 certificate of competency I doubt it could be transferred to a Deputies ticket Lannie. All the Deputies, Undermanagers and Managers I knew who had migrated from the UK to Australia had qualifications recognised by the NSW Mines Department, as they have similar courses and exams. They still had to work for a short period to qualify under law though, usually three months in and around the colliery where they took up employment. One such was a guy I worked with in the UK, he already had his Undermanagers ticket, a few more were Deputies before they left the UK, one was the Manager of Angus Place when I first started there. I hate to pour cold water on you! Better to find out now and be prepared, than get keyed up and disappointed later down the line. I'd send some emails off to the Mines Inspectorate in NSW if I were you, let them know your paper qualifications and experience and request if they accept them. Just say you may be applying for a Colliery Deputies position. I'm assuming you had your sights set on New South Wales and the coal industry??
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Post by coalfire on Nov 22, 2008 22:51:24 GMT -5
Here is what they sent me. The company's name is Mastermind. Not a very good one. Sounds like to me.
It was a pleasure speaking with you. Below is a job description and attached is a location information.
Please send me your resume and I will call you as soon I receive it.
Thanks,
Experienced Underground Miners
Fitters – Mechanical and Diesel
Electricians
Deputies
OVER 200 jobs
REQUIREMENTS
MUST HAVE at least 2 years of experience underground coal
Fitters and Electricians MUST HAVE at least 1-1.5 years of experience underground coal AND at least 1-1.5 years in their trade skills
* Fitters, electricians, and deputies/ foremen will be employed as a miners in the beginning and when their certificates/trade recognised in Australia and the relevant state, the salary will go higher.
Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills
MUST HAVE strong safety record
Able to demonstrate initiative and work unsupervised
True desire to come to Australia
Working Conditions:
* Rosters are even time rosters (even rotating shifts). Over a 28 day cycle you will work 2 weekends in a row and have 2 weekends off in a row. The roster is 5 days on / 4 off; 4 on / 5 off; 5 on 5 off. Shifts are 12 hours and rotate between days and nights. Living accommodation and food will be provided while working on site * Salary expectations - Experienced Miners - Approximately AU$85,000, Tradesmen, supervisors, deputies and guys in development are paid higher. Being on the 457 visa you will have access to a range of salary packaging benefits that will reduce their tax and maximise their take home pay. A company has been engaged to assist the candidates in this area. * Their employment is conditional on passing the coal board medical and generics. This will be done as soon as you arrive.
Salary: Base salary for Miners is about $56K – 59K US Dollars
Higher salary for other trades.
Benefits: Full benefits package. 5 weeks paid vacation plus 10 paid sick days
Taxes: Only about 15-20% is deducted for taxes form you paycheck( versus 30-40% in US) so you have more $$ left in your pocket. Also, the employer puts aside for you about 9% of income, which are your TAX FREE when and if you decide to go back to US.
Cost of living in Australia is the same or lower than it is in US, Crime-free area, superb climate, work and living location are close to beaches and recreation area. As of now Australia is considered the best economic country to live in.
Relocation: will be disclosed during interview
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Post by John on Nov 23, 2008 8:29:24 GMT -5
Lannie, I'd be very careful here, it's an agency that represents contracting companies with the look of it, if I were you I'd contact the Miners Federation in Australia and ask them questions about this company, their web page is www.cfmeu.com.au/From what I've been reading labour laws have changed recently, restoring a lot of laws that the last government changed against workers rights. Which means there's a good chance contractors could be forced out of the mining industry once more in favour of full time company employees. You'll find contact information on that web page and I'm sure they can answer all your questions.
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Post by coalfire on Nov 23, 2008 9:57:06 GMT -5
Thanks John, you've been most helpful. I don't think I'm gonna go. Money is not any better than what I can do here. If I was single or it was with someone like Peabody, even if they still have mines over there then I would jump in a hurry.
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Post by John on Nov 23, 2008 10:37:17 GMT -5
Glad I can be of help Lannie, I worked for Australian Iron and Steel, a subsidiary of BHP for a couple of years over there and I'd never work for that crowd ever again. I went to work for the Electricity Commission of NSW after that at Angus Place and they, being government, were a lot better company to work for. Sadly, the Commission was sold off to private enterprise. Between the wife and I working, we were on a high standard of living, but taxes always beat us and I asked the wife if she wanted to go home, her parents were getting on in age and the wife is scared stiff of flying. So we made arrangements to move stateside, since being back, she lost her parents, so good job we moved back. Now we live within a three hours dive of St Louis where most of her Brothers and Sisters live.
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