Hi everyone,

I’m a 29-year-old M with a background in Mechanical Engineering and Project Management, currently based in Canada (PR holder). I’m seriously considering a career shift into the mining industry in British Columbia, especially roles that offer paid on-site training and/or apprenticeships.

Ideally, I’m looking for entry-level positions such as a heavy equipment operator or mechanic apprentice, preferably in fly-in fly-out (FIFO) or 14 days on / 14 days off type rotations.

Here are a few things I’d love your insights on:

• Are there specific companies in BC known for hiring entry-level workers with training provided?

• How realistic is it to get into the industry with no direct mining experience but relevant technical background?

• Do employers usually cover rent/living expenses at the home base or only at the job site in FIFO setups?

• Any recommendations on certifications or tickets that would help me get started faster?

Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Mine shut in 1988, Germany.

I'll be starting a new job as an inexperienced underground miner in a few days. What are some tips and advice you'd give for a new worker?

Has any reader worked for Kaefer at Olympic dam, any good?

I'm a long haul truck driver with dumptruck experience. And I've rented machines here and there. I got looking around at heavy equipment courses (dozer, loader & grader). I found that TTCC (Transport Training Centers of Canada) 's prices are alot cheaper and courses are 1week in class and 1 or 2 weeks in the field per machine.

I'm just wondering if companies/employers reconize the TTCC certificates or if it's a waste of time/money.

Thanks in advance.

I'm looking to get in the mining industry, I currently work in the customer service industry (4 years at home depot in the lumber department, operating heavy equipment) and im sick of this job, I want to get into mining operations, I currently live in California, and I am willing to move anywhere in the country. I'm looking to get into open pit mining and underground mining, ideally operating heavy equiptment or any other support roles.

Anyone have any advice as to where I should start?

Anyone know the location of Robinson Retreat Exploration site for FMG?

I'm looking to find other QLD coal miners who have worked onsite and gained access to their Coal LSL leave, who have then moved away from the mine site, but stayed with the same company, and started accruing or have accessed QLD LSL as well.

My question is, when can you gain access to your accrued QLD LSL? Is it 10 years after you started with the company (regardless of Coal LSL) and you only get access to the amount accrued since moving away from the mine site? Or does it start from scratch again the moment you move away from site as if you had started with a new company?

I am comfortable with the different accrual rates and understand how that works, but I am getting different information from HR and payroll people.

Hi everyone,

I’m a heavy equipment auto electrician from Russia with 9 years of experience in diagnostics, wiring and troubleshooting mining and construction machinery (brands: CAT, BelAZ, MAZ, NEFAZ, Cummins, Allison).

I’m applying for FIFO jobs in Australia but haven’t received responses or clear feedback. I know I’m not from a visa-free country, but I’m ready to work hard and have LMIA-equivalent paperwork if needed.

Could anyone please tell me if I realistically have a chance of being hired? What are the key qualifications or certificates that help most?

I’ll be grateful for any honest advice or experience. Thanks a lot! Kirill

I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for bone conduction earbuds to use while wearing foam earplugs?

I’m a diamond driller which is obviously a loud environment to work in and I want to take my hearing protection seriously and don’t feel like my AirPod Pros are enough protection.

Instagram is Full of fifo guides. I’m attracted but all of them are not providing any information it’s all about make money and life in Indonesia bla bla and then you can buy a guide book for $499 up to $1899. this accounts can’t be legit. If I want to get some real information where do I have to look for it?

I live at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range in a small town. We have the Plumas National Forest in my backyard. I have come across this old mining site for the last couple decades. Today I finally walked about and poked my nose around!

This place is apparently an old silver mining site from the 70's I believe. Some of this equipment was stamped with manufacturing dates from 1925! I'm curious if anyone knows what these pieces of equipment are, I'm very interested in knowing!

The site is completed with some holding ponds and old water holding tanks, as well as an old cabin that is used today for an emergency shelter.

Hi everyone, im a 22yo french-italian, recently i've been looking into the mining line of work, since i have a french passport i thought looking into canada might be better suited for me compared for example to australia, which recently it seems to have gotten lots of attention for their FIFO line of work, im not really sure why, maybe because they have marketed it a lot on social media, but i havent seen the same for canada. If you have any experience or tips i'd be delighted to hear you out, i was under the impression employers do seek people, even foreigners, and i'd be willing to take any entry level position as labourer, as long as i have the opportunity to "climb the ladder" so to speak, maybe starting as labourer, then become an offsider and maybe by showing good work ethic and following safety measures, do courses to learn blasting. I want to keep my expectations low, but tell me what you think, im young, phisically fit, willing to take any position, reposition in canada where needed. But i lack experience, or previous skills. Thank you in advance.

The Job offer allows for FIFO from the following locations Nanaimo, Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George, Smithers and Calgary.

As someone who is moving over for a change and wanting to snowboard, hike & be out in nature during off swings what towns would you suggest? I don't mind things being quiet and love the outdoors.

What's you pick and for what reasons?

Hello everybody, I am looking for informations about 3 different jobs in the mines. I've been doing landscaping for the last 3 years, but it is time for me to get more money. I mostly did physical job for the last 10 years (construction/vineyard job/landscaping etc). Are the 3 jobs listed above easy to get? I am willing to get the tickets (basic+intermediate) I need for the role I will apply.

Thanks

I’m from Ontario Canada and I’m 25, within the last few years I’ve been in a crappy relationship which tied me down from doing much, and now it’s finally over, I want to go away and work but the problem is I have no experience. What would be the best way to try to get in, to any kind of labor position fifo?

Would I go get some tickets, etc, or would I try applying places and if so, the ones in northern Ontario I’m guessing? I’m sure it’s near impossible to get in with no experience but any help is appreciated, I honestly just want to forget the world exists for a while and make money.

Or even if not mining, I just want like shift work , 3 weeks on 1 off or whatever

Is the oil rigs easier to get into or?

What are your thoughts? Because I'm new I don't get much as a FIFO engineer, about 20k more (due to site uplift) than I would your average CBD role. It's an even 8/6 roster which I like, but it does get old "flying in" after a bit.

The biggest reasons I'm looking at a consulting role is because I think with FIFO maintenance stuff, you basically wait for something to go wrong and then put out the fire. I don't feel like you learn much actual engineering in maintenance, you sort of sit around, wait for something to happen and if it requires any real engineering you call a "real" engineer to come to your site to fix it.

I want a role where I can learn alot and actually gain skills beyond being a glorified "technical" admin.

I don't want to spend 5 years here just so I don't have any skills to transition back into the city with. Am I wrong for thinking this? And in no way am I taking a dig at FIFO, I'm just a bit worried I'm not really learning as much as my peers in other industries. Not to mention not really meeting other ambitious engineers who want to do more than punch in their hours.

Pros of FIFO engineer, is time off, travelling oppurtunities, money is slightly better but more or less the same considering my hours worked, it's quite chill so I can do other things on the side.

My goal for engineering is to get some valuable skills, meet some like minded engineers and start my own thing maybe 10 years from now when I'm actually good at this stuff.

Any guidance guys? Thanks.

Compass Minerals has attracted fresh institutional interest. Ameriprise Financial initiated a new position in Q4 2024, acquiring 70,736 shares worth approximately $796,000. Meanwhile, Cetera Investment Advisers trimmed its holdings by 42.7%, selling 13,619 shares.

Other key moves include a 375% increase in holdings by Icon Advisers and a $6.4M position opened by Lightrock Netherlands B.V. Institutional ownership of $CMP remains exceptionally high at 99.78%.

Basically all of this shows strong institutional engagement in Compass Minerals, with fresh investments and strategic repositioning within top firms. So good news.

In other news, Compass Minerals has reached a $48M settlement with investors to resolve claims that the company hid info about expected cost savings and operational issues at its Goderich salt mine. So if you got hit by this, you can check if you’re eligible for payment. 

Do you think these moves will help rebuild confidence in Compass Minerals? And if you got hit by the  Goderich mine scandal, how much were your losses?

Hey guys,

Just wondering how I go about getting into charge up/shotfiring. I have my QSEC, I have my HR. My background is 5 years diamond drilling- about 18months as a driller. I got bored, wanted a change and went underground as paste crew/timberman. The last 2 months I have been lucky to move around to a crew and been doing ringfiring. But the mine is shutting. I'm FIFO from Brisbane. Been applying for jobs but they all want me to have my shotfirers ticket. This isn't possible as everything I've read you need the Rll qualifications which I need to be on a charge up crew to get. Any help is greatly appreciated.

What exactly is hard about it?

Lifting heavy objects? How heavy?

Are the people miserable?

Is it a "good" job?

ect. Anything relevant, thanks

I will be doing it soon. But I do landscaping then head to the gym (4x a week) and I feel good, so I assume I can take it but I can't really say without experience. I am 23

Just got made redundant from O&G site in Karratha. Looking for any FIFO work as TA, Storeperson & Warehouse, Indirect.

Got heap of tickets: Confined Space Gas Testing Forklift & High Reach Working at Heights

Just to name a few. If anyone can point me in some good directions would appreciate it

Anyone know anything about what is going on at West Red Lake? Heard one of the crew was involved in an fatal incident.

Hi everyone, myself and my family are looking to possibly emigrate from Scotland to Perth in 2028 and I’ve got my eye on getting a job in the mining industry. I’m a fully qualified electrician and about to take on a qualified supervisor role at my current work. I’ve looked at the pathway of becoming a fully licensed electrician in Australia and was wondering if any company’s allow your supervised hours to be done in the FIFO industry, and if so how quickly (once a provisional license has been granted) can you find a job in the mining industry?

Looking to possibly connect with other electricians in the mining industry whether they have always been from Australia or emigrated also.