Who works in the mines... not many, if any.

[Brett Allan]

BHP announced that Leinster is shutting up their underground operations. apparently re-opening rocky's reward to keep the ore going through the plant along with the ore from Cliffs and Mt Keith. great timing for everyone there! some huge redundancies coming up too!

180 people are getting letters...timing couldn't be worse..

[TJ]

Mate literally bought a house 3 weeks ago, got his letter.

Poor fucker.

[Tre-Cool]

well if they want to go resi, then I hear there will be plenty going at cape lambert soon for fitters, boilermakers etc.

[thommo]

Plenty of internal resi jobs at Newman for bhp

[Miggy]

Mining is down but there is plenty of construction on atm, shouldn't be too hard to get a job.

[Uber XR]

Got a boilermaker mate looking for work ATM. He's keen to fly out now. I hear it's a bad time but anyword on anything around

[Damo 69]

Got a boilermaker mate looking for work ATM. He's keen to fly out now. I hear it's a bad time but anyword on anything around

mate is a supervisor at FQM Ravo

had a TA position open, had 55 applicants majority qualified boilermakers, hard times at the moment

[Uber XR]

mate is a supervisor at FQM Ravo

had a TA position open, had 55 applicants majority qualified boilermakers, hard times at the moment

Yea thats what I hear. Thought it can't hurt to see what's out there. Thanks anyway mate

[evoeata]

Nickel or gold? Weird time to be opening with the price of both metals.

[Chaotic]

Just heard of a death at xmas creek and another bloke rfds out, anyone got further details?

[Chaotic]

Nickel or gold? Weird time to be opening with the price of both metals.

Night be trying to make up for linsters closure?

[KPWISHN]

Wow. They have had a terrible run.

[Denver]

Only a few details. Crushed under a Vermeer/surface miner. Sounds like the second guy is in pretty bad shape too. Happened in the workshop apparently so would guess there was immediate help.

RIP.

[morgazmatron]

Yeah heard last night..

The guy who was rfds out had non life threatening injuries we were told this morning. But still a fair few broken bones.

Very sad day.

RIP

[Alt_F4]

For anyone still holding recently (post crash) purchased Forge shares, I suggest you go check on them for a very pleasant surprise!

[vy ss ute m6]

CC not having a good run at all. RIP to the young bloke.

Hope the rest of you flying out tomorrow/Wed aren't delayed too much by the cyclone!

[Lasoya]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/20534754/one-dead-another-injured-at-fmg-mine/

[Butla]

FMG are having a terrible run at the moment. Bad luck or bad culture?

[-Luke-]

No such thing as Bad Luck in this game. If the culture supports it events like this will happen, if it doesn't they wont.

[beefcake]

It's not fmg , it's a fully contracted run mine , each and every accident has been from a different contractor on a different section of that mine site , so it's not really applicable to say its a culture thing since it's completely different companies and policies at each accident

[Damo 69]

FMG would still have an over arching mine manager responsible for each of the contractors under them

[beefcake]

You would think that but No, they don't interfere with my work what so ever, if it wasn't for the occasional geo driving around you wouldn't even know it's a fmg mine

[beefcake]

Fmg don't even step into our workshop as they don't run it

[Damo 69]

really? i guess thats an innovative way for plausible deniability

[morgazmatron]

Yeah it is kind of surprising how little visibility we have with some of the contractors in regards to safety.

I do recall a number of contractors been kicked off site in the last year due to safety concerns. They were however smaller contractors over looked by our HSES team.

[Bomber]

really? i guess thats an innovative way for plausible deniability
No such thing in this industry. Just ask John Sabotian

[Buckets]

I'm not certain of the contractual specifics however under the primary legislation which governs mining operations in this state those being the MSIA 1994 & MSIR 1995; FMG or more importantly someone within FMG would hold the position of the "Principle Employer". No if's, no buts, no maybes, no he's a contractor it's not my fault, this person and the principle organization being FMG hold the outright legal responsibility for ensuring that a mine operates in accordance with these regulations and as such they are ultimately held responsible for any failure or event such as this.

The way the system works is the "Principle Employer" who is usually a company director and as a result removed somewhat from the operational realities appoints a suitable person as the "Registered Manager" for the operation. In terms of operational responsibility this person has the responsibility under the legislation for ensuring the WHOLE mine including processing plants, workshops, power stations basically any work area on the lease operates in accordance with these regulations. Clearly this is a mammoth job and beyond what a person can reasonably while maintaining and taking due care to perform the responsibilities of the role appropriately. As such the legislation allows for the appointment of a Quarry Manager whom with the approval of the Principle Employer and the Registered Manager can assume responsibility for the mining operation (pit's, haul roads, dumps, tails dams, stockpiles ect, ect as well as mining related support facilities such as mobile equipment workshops and so on). Underneath this the RM / QM appoint Superintendents, Supervisors, Leading Hands and other persons under Section 44 to assume responsibility for specific areas and this in theory means that everyone has a proper supervision. The appointment of these subordinates to the Principle Employer, Registered & Quarry Manager does not negate their responsibilities in law and as such the PE / RM / QM must take all reasonable steps possible to ensure that legislation is being fully complied with and that the workplace is not unduly hazardous as well as ensure that mechanisms are in place to rectify and monitor non conformance and hazards.

All of the above means the shiny arses have a legal obligation and a duty of care regardless of whether or not the people on the ground actually work for the company they do. This means there is absolutely zero fucking excuse and in my mind it's profoundly negligent that FMG do not proactively monitor these workplaces if what's been posted above is true.

Now what can happen in contract mining set ups is that the PE is the client in this case FMG, the RM & QM may also be FMG BUT on some operations these PE will farm these roles out to the selected mining contractors. Superintendents & Supervisors are usually contractor staff. As we know with such big complex jobs no one company can do it all these days so various subbies are usually involved. These guys usually have an internal supervisor who reports to the primary contractor. As you can see it quickly turns in to a murky mine field where following the direct chain of command is a utter pain in the fucking arse for people at both ends of the tree. It's not helped where people at various points in the chain of command spend heaps of time trying to stamp their authority on their slice of the action to try and go to great lengths to stop people "meddling" or "engaging" (depends on what side of the argument you're looking at the situation from) in their little empire. All of this creates a shadowy, cloak and dagger, us V them culture and sadly means that it's very hard if not impossible for people at both ends of the tree to properly service the requirements of their roles. Naturally this has both safety and production implications.

It's very hard to change this culture, it's certainly not just contained to big contract jobs like the FMG's of the world it can happen to a smaller extent on small jobs too. BHP had a big push to try and remove the potential for "incompatible goals" between client & contractor by absorbing as many of it's primary contractors as possible thereby reducing to some extent the "us & them" barrier and I do think this has some merit, how much though I'm honestly not sure.

The TL ; DR of all this is irrespective of what shirt the poor guys were wearing FMG as the Principle Employer is ultimately responsible. The RM & QM and line supervision are also no doubt not looking forward to their time getting dragged over the coals by the Coroner and District Inspector of Mines, I'd say that given the spate of recent fatalities the State Mining Engineer will also have some significant input in the wash up from all this. However this nothing of course compared to the hell the loved ones of the guy who's no longer with us is no doubt going through, the injured guy is also no doubt not going to be having anything close to a happy new year.

If you guys working on these jobs feel that the shiny bums aren't involved enough or aren't getting an accurate picture of the real conditions in the workplace FFS do something about it. You've all got a duty of care to yourself and your co-workers as well remember...

I fucking hate reading about people who don't come home from work.

[Satan]

fuckin A

[schnoods]

Yeah it is kind of surprising how little visibility we have with some of the contractors in regards to safety.

I do recall a number of contractors been kicked off site in the last year due to safety concerns. They were however smaller contractors over looked by our HSES team.

Yep, CSI (crushing services international) were kicked off site following a death in August.

[Tre-Cool]

When I was working at Solomon for cat/fmg on the ahs project, As I was basically first to site to setup all the IT gear and buildings, I had to go and do a course on the mine reg's at the fmg office and eventually got signed into the sites little red book (some legislation thing that records who is responsible for what area's I worked in/would take charge for etc, technical name escapes me).

Basically puts the onus on the area to me (or relevant supervisor for the area depending on who is on shift).

So yeah, I find it strange that just because they are contractors, saying that shit only goes uphill so to speak means everything is fmg's fault. Reg's definitely mentioned that fines were applicable to even the supervisor of an area. Not sure if it was because Solomon was part mining/construction at that stage, but used to have safety people come by all the time. Even though our work area was essentially 2 dongers side by side.

[Buckets]

^ You would have done Section 44 training and been appointed as a responsible person under that section. The record of the appointment is kept in the Mines Record Book, and you ought to have been given a copy of the appointment as well. Effectively what this means is you were given a delegated responsibility for a small area / series of tasks and were duly authorized to conduct and supervise work of the nature specified in the letter of appointment.

Fines are enforceable across the whole sector, it doesn't matter if you're a greenie fresh out of you're 1st induction or you're a shiny arse. The likelihood of the department leveling a fine rather than just issuing a Improvement or Prohibition Notice obviously increases as you move up the ladder.

[Denver]

It's what happens when you have contractors. Think back to yandi.

Big Nev insists on contractors over owner op. Bit it's the wrong way to go. Cloud break which is owner op. Hasn't had a serious injury since the death a dew years ago which was a contractor.

Chrissy creek is a full cow boy area from all accounts.

[beefcake]

Yep, CSI (crushing services international) were kicked off site following a death in August.
Not quite, csi management were taken over by fmg , the same staff same people work there

[beefcake]

If you guys working on these jobs feel that the shiny bums aren't involved enough or aren't getting an accurate picture of the real conditions in the workplace FFS do something about it. You've all got a duty of care to yourself and your co-workers as well remember...
I fucking hate reading about people who don't come home from work.
Sacked, retrenched, relocated,crew swapped....
And that is one of your classic cloak an dagger protect my job keep the minions quiet reaction you get for speaking up.
I've seen good people disappear for doing this direct thing that the bosses ask you to do. If it means more paper work or a change to their bubble it's game over to you ....

Ps I don't have any dramas , loving my job even with everyone bitching and moaning how bad it is hahaha , the job is what you make of it , there is rules and regs , and they ain't hard to follow , and no one is screaming at you to hurry up , pretty good compared to my old jobs in Perth ....

[-Luke-]

Much better to keep your job and get killed doing it right?

Have you ever had to sit in front of a mines inspector and attempt to justify your actions or inactions?

I have during an investigation into an incident that was literally a few mm away from killing an apprentice. Sitting in your donga waiting to hear how badly injured a 22yr old Kid is and then waiting to find out if the DMP is going go to fine you will change your perspective.

[Buckets]

Sacked, retrenched, relocated,crew swapped....
And that is one of your classic cloak an dagger protect my job keep the minions quiet reaction you get for speaking up

Easy solution is IF you feel that speaking up via the standard channels is not going to work or will cause you problems flick the District Inspector of Mines an email with an outline of the situation and why you've gone to them with it. I know from experience after people have reported potential problems at one of my operations (that we're been swept under the carpet / hidden for us by contractor management) that they take it very seriously, and will not ever reveal who tipped them off.

It's not the 1st course of action BUT it's a valid course none the less.

[beefcake]

Luke I'm not disagreeing with you or buckets, I'm talking about what I personally have experienced, but the point I made about following the rules and regs and not rushing to finish your job is pretty much it .
Do it right do it responsibly and nothing should go wrong.... Or so you would like to think so , but we are human

[beefcake]

Also correct on your response mr buckets , it should never be the first call as there is a chain of command to follow , but if you don't like their answers it doesn't mean they are wrong, some people have a very different view on what's safe/dangerous or not,
Some guys I've worked with that have complained about certain work conditions I swear have forgotten what the job tittle it is that they have , it's not like we are making cup cakes and knitting blankets , one guy complained that the workshop was too hot ..... Derr it's the pilbara

[Miggy]

I like to think I would always say something if I saw an unsafe act or condition but the fact is depending on your supervisor or management you can be seen as a troublemaker or lazy pingpingpingping and get shafted especially now seeing as there isn't much work around people would be too scared to say anything. We all know they preach safety first but on many sites that isn't the case.

[beefcake]

Bugga my flight has been canceled tomorrow to the creek ... Damn you cyclone I really really wanted to go back to work after having a month off ....

[short-shift]

Hahhahahahahaahahah,

Fuck off and die of AIDS, if you believe the above statement at any level.

Safe AND Productive, its in your fuckin hands pingpingpingpingS

[Miggy]

Great constructive and helpful post, thank you for your insight.

[beefcake]

What statement are you talking about mate .
Safe and productive it's on your own hands is 100000% correct

[UK-Rushy]

Just received email saying flight to cloudbreaks cancelled. What's usually the go? Won't be able to get hold of work till morning

[beefcake]

Pretty much that , call em when your supervisor comes on shift , see what he has to say and go from there , no point rocking up at the airport , keep checking SAMs kiosk or ring ya flight coordinator and see what they say
Organise a round of golf like I have , enjoy the morning off , but have your gear packed ready to roll to the airport .

[monk_13]

Just got an email from HR and Solomon's flights are cancelled tomorrow as well.

BUT, we all have to be fit for work and ready to be at the airport ASAP. I predict at least a mild hangover if flying to work on new years day.

[Deke]

not only the two deaths at CC but also a guy lost his leg after the dump truck crash there and another guy lost half of his foot aswell , the site is a death trap. My mate works for BIS and the lack of safety there is a joke compared too sites iv been on.

[2LMILK]

Cloudbreak is windy and rainy but still operating. Meeting at 6am at wet mess for update. Fuck could of had an hour sleep in.

Solomon is in lock down n getting smashed.

[s-tranzor]

not only the two deaths at CC but also a guy lost his leg after the dump truck crash there and another guy lost half of his foot aswell , the site is a death trap. My mate works for BIS and the lack of safety there is a joke compared too sites iv been on.

BIS Can talk safety. Pretty sure I've been called in to provide info a few times regarding prime movers trying to run ruby's crossing as the gates come down lol. Their workshops have to be the safest I frequented while up there though I must admit.

[DanWA]

way too many whinging fifo tradies

[S133LTR]

Wut?

[Damo 69]

way too many whinging fifo tradies

fuck off you ridiculous pingpingpingping

[2jzlux]

way too many whinging fifo tradies

I suppose its easy to have an attitude like that when the biggest danger to your life at work is a papercut.

[S133LTR]

Pretty sure Dan is a tradey.. I think its the lack of pay he gets that creates that chip on his shoulder regarding the FIFO guys.

[Bomber]

A chip on the shoulder is often a piece of wood that has fallen from the head

[siladee]

probably just coming down off coke. he is a west coast fan

[UK-Rushy]

Flight moved to the 2nd. Bring on New Years!

[mc68]

Try working as a sub contractor for another contracting company that is hired to the maintenance company then contracts to the Mine owners.

The amount of bullshit I have to tip toe through is amazing...

And the Divided seam between the people that work in the mill by the owners. And the wagies that work for the maintenance company, to the subbies like me. Its like we dont get seen with each other.

[Kael]

probably just coming down off coke. he is a west coast fan

Coke is for sophisticated people.

[DanWA]

Coke is for sophisticated people.

Counts you out then

Dat whey gets those gainz

[Fryman]

anybody working on the Burrup TAN project next to ye ol stomping ground?

[SK]

does anybody know of any FIFO jobs for an LV Mechanic?

I am a qualified mechanic, and have had experience on mine site before (worked at Roy Hill doing construction)

I would also consider TA, operator etc

Thanks! :)

[American Dave]

Yep I might be able to assist you Mattuz. You can email on daveh@dtworkforce.com

[Steppo_GT]

I'm also chasing some FIFO work as well if I can get my hands on it. I'm a qualified A grade electrician with a contractors ticket if it helps. I however have no FIFO experience which is making it difficult.

Cheers!

[BASSULA]

I'm also chasing some FIFO work as well if I can get my hands on it. I'm a qualified A grade electrician with a contractors ticket if it helps. I however have no FIFO experience which is making it difficult.

Cheers!

Just Chasing the big away coin? or looking for a decent electrical role? we are looking for Electricians, not full FIFO but do fly a bit. hit me with a PM if you want some more info.

[suburban]

Also chasing a start gents

no previous FIFO experiance

Been in construction 13 years
Drafting
Concrete Supervisor
Residential Site Manager

Planning / Coordinating / Supervision

Thanks for any feedback

[Marti]

Iv been applying everywhere aswell.light duty mechanic with extensive diesel,electronic and diagnostic experience. Also have an un restricted HR licence m yet no company will take me because I have no mining experience

[-Luke-]

The industry has scalled back. As a whole the industry can afford to be choosier (no disrespect to yourself or your experience) Back in 01 when I completed my apprenticeship it took me 5 months to find a role and it only paid $24/hr. I was mining experienced and trained. The industry has peaks and troughs and as a whole it would appear to be in a trough at the moment.

[Buckets]

The industry has scalled back. As a whole the industry can afford to be choosier (no disrespect to yourself or your experience) Back in 01 when I completed my apprenticeship it took me 5 months to find a role and it only paid $24/hr. I was mining experienced and trained. The industry has peaks and troughs and as a whole it would appear to be in a trough at the moment.

Correct. The industry is in a lull at the moment with hundreds if not thousands of skilled, experienced mining people out there looking for work. Roles are there for most operational level positions but beyond that it's a very hard slog to find something. I know of professional people with 20+ years experience and solid reputations who are unable to find work. For those wanting to get in be prepared to cop a "lowball" offer as well. Employers are putting deliberate downward pressure on wages and so forth across the sector so expect to get offered less that you'd previously come to expect.

[hako]

Start Oil & Gas FIFO tomorrow. Heading to the Atwood Osprey.

[HotAe92]

Correct. The industry is in a lull at the moment with hundreds if not thousands of skilled, experienced mining people out there looking for work. Roles are there for most operational level positions but beyond that it's a very hard slog to find something. I know of professional people with 20+ years experience and solid reputations who are unable to find work. For those wanting to get in be prepared to cop a "lowball" offer as well. Employers are putting deliberate downward pressure on wages and so forth across the sector so expect to get offered less that you'd previously come to expect.

Just to give you an idea for the numbers of applicants for site technical positions at present.

From recent application feedback:
-84 applications for Environmental Advisor role
-16 of those with relevant (3+years) site experience.
-4 shortlisted.

It's a tough grind out there at the moment, just happy I have a job, as there are alot of unfortunate souls without one. Particularly feel for the undergrads who have just graduated.

[Damo 69]

Also chasing a start gents

no previous FIFO experiance

Been in construction 13 years
Drafting
Concrete Supervisor
Residential Site Manager

Planning / Coordinating / Supervision

Thanks for any feedback

Pm me your email

[Miggy]

I'm going to get shot down for this but honestly if you don't have 5+ years fifo experience it's going to be very hard to get a start atm if you don't know someone. Just bullshit your resume. Obliviously I wouldn't recommend it for technical roles but positions like trade assistants are simple if you have basic mechanical knowledge.

[Deke]

miggy i think TA rolls are the hardest too get because so many guys from perth like LV mechanics , carpenters , plumbers etc are trying to make some more coin and jump on these rolls (atleast alot of my mates are atleast). I dont have 5 years fifo exp and i always get offerd jobs too work away. i guess the specific trades for construction are always handy like mine and yours.

[skidkid]

Just to give you an idea for the numbers of applicants for site technical positions at present.

From recent application feedback:
-84 applications for Environmental Advisor role
-16 of those with relevant (3+years) site experience.
-4 shortlisted.

It's a tough grind out there at the moment, just happy I have a job, as there are alot of unfortunate souls without one. Particularly feel for the undergrads who have just graduated.

Which company?

As a new graduate, the current market sucks balls - despite having a fifoyolo job

[HotAe92]

This was a Cons Mins Woodie Woodie job going back in September.

I even knew one of the blokes on the panel, and still didn't get a interview.

There's a few new projects coming through the approvals pipeline, so here's hoping things pickup a little in the interim.

[suburban]

Pm me your email

done, thanks :)

[DanWA]

I know there is a million or so HSE people out there, there is a job going where i am if anyone is really hard up

[Faz]

just got my role over a month ago, Because i knew i guy I got it over all the others that had site experience, but becuase i'm new to it, got the lower end of the pay scale.

[Tones]

Hrmmmm... was going to give it another month before I started looking for another job but might have start looking now haha... Hopefully having 9+ years operator experience should be ok

[Alt_F4]

In another incident, three people were believed to have been left in an exclusion zone while a blast operation was under way.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-16/fmg-under-investigation-for-worker-safety/5203058?section=wa

2 of those 3 were two guys I work with...

[millzy_88]

Whoops, that's a bit of a fuck up.

Agreed that without substantial experience nobody will be getting into mining at the moment. Lot of people going for roles below what they have been previously.

[Tre-Cool]

leightons still doing the mining at Solomon yeah?

[American Dave]

I am chasing large numbers of Mobile Plant Operators (experienced in large scale production mining), Blast hole drillers (SKS or Pit Viper drills), HV Electricians (mobile and fixed plant), De-watering Technicians with poly welding and pump fitting skills for large scale dewatering (below water table), fixed plant operators. All jobs in the Pilbara on Rio Tinto mine sites.

[Uber XR]

got an email address GTB STI??

[huggy_b]

Ring DT Workforce and ask for Dave Hinton

[beefcake]

Hrmmmm... was going to give it another month before I started looking for another job but might have start looking now haha... Hopefully having 9+ years operator experience should be ok
Dunno if your interested but Roy hill will have some of our leaky bear diggers over there soon , all the drills, water carts, dumpies, loaders, graders and diggers will be heading over soon no doubt they will need operators

[Greg Rust]

Pilbara Iron Pannawonica
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w85/xwgasaxe/Mobile%20Uploads/E9FD11D5-6F48-4272-BDF3-041035E8AD6C.jpg (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/xwgasaxe/media/Mobile%20Uploads/E9FD11D5-6F48-4272-BDF3-041035E8AD6C.jpg.html)

[evoeata]

Think when it gets to 48-49 it flips out and can't handle it. Saw it do that when I was there commissioning a drill a few years ago.

[American Dave]

nice, it would be much cooler over at Mesa A

[Tones]

Dunno if your interested but Roy hill will have some of our leaky bear diggers over there soon , all the drills, water carts, dumpies, loaders, graders and diggers will be heading over soon no doubt they will need operators

cheers bud... going to have to put a new CV together before i get to serious about looking.

[Buckets]

You'll be fine Tones. Always shit tonnes of roles for good operators.

[crabman]

Is it still tricky getting in operator roles? Applying for a fair few at the moment with no luck. No production based experience but have operational experience for diagnosing and commissioning machines etc when I was still on the tools a couple of years ago.

[Greg Rust]

Apparently it was 50 this week over at Mesa A

[Buckets]

Is it still tricky getting in operator roles? Applying for a fair few at the moment with no luck. No production based experience but have operational experience for diagnosing and commissioning machines etc when I was still on the tools a couple of years ago.

With no "relevant, recent" experience it would be a hard road. While you've got some skills most wouldn't see it as relevant for a production operators role. I'm not saying this to be a pingpingpingping but honestly you're better off applying for something in the maintenance field if you can, I couldn't see you scoring an operators job in this market. Similar position to me, I've tried to get a job "back on the tools" after being in senior site management for a while, the people doing the hiring aren't open to the idea for some reason.

Them's the breaks, as mentioned try a maintenance based role.

[Passage GT]

I am chasing large numbers of Mobile Plant Operators (experienced in large scale production mining), Blast hole drillers (SKS or Pit Viper drills), HV Electricians (mobile and fixed plant), De-watering Technicians with poly welding and pump fitting skills for large scale dewatering (below water table), fixed plant operators. All jobs in the Pilbara on Rio Tinto mine sites.

You got any ta/none trade work for a resi living in Wickham, has steel fixing and mining experience and was a supervisor at his last job, great worker that had to hand back his very well paying FIFO job cause his missus wanted him home

[Greg Rust]

De-watering Technicians with poly welding and pump fitting skills for large scale dewatering (below water table), fixed plant operators. All jobs in the Pilbara on Rio Tinto mine sites.

Are you guys running Sykes/ Godwin pumps on trailer and skids or borehole submersible?

[monk_13]

leightons still doing the mining at Solomon yeah?

Yeah the lazy L is still up there... Not sure how sometimes, but that's another story.

[Denver]

All fmg sites are currently getting arse raped by the mines dept atm doing a full audit, was cloud breaks turn this week, they're going right through all the procedures and checking for adherence, luckily we managed to avoid them in our pit, they turned up just as we where swapping out with the oncoming crew, good luck with that lot..

For whatever reason big nev power prefers contractor run sites (Solomon and chrissy creek), I half understand that, as you set a price and a target and if the contractor doesn't meet the target, stiff shit, they get raped, if they better target, stiff shit it costs FMG no more, but, cloud break which is all fmg staff, comes in at better cost, and is owner op, and company wide, no FMG staff member has been involved in a fatal accident, the fatalities have all been contractors, so it has me stumped why they're persisting with contractors, it makes more sense to take on the staff as fmg employee's and rein everything in, better control of things would put an end to the way things have been running..

[Bomber]

BCM > Compliance

[crabman]

With no "relevant, recent" experience it would be a hard road. While you've got some skills most wouldn't see it as relevant for a production operators role. I'm not saying this to be a pingpingpingping but honestly you're better off applying for something in the maintenance field if you can, I couldn't see you scoring an operators job in this market. Similar position to me, I've tried to get a job "back on the tools" after being in senior site management for a while, the people doing the hiring aren't open to the idea for some reason.

Them's the breaks, as mentioned try a maintenance based role.

I totally understand where you are coming from and makes heaps of sense, just going back to the tools with a prolapsed L4/L5 and L5/S1 is not the best idea :P

[DanWA]

BCM > Compliance

High Wages > Effort from workers

[newbie101]

I totally understand where you are coming from and makes heaps of sense, just going back to the tools with a prolapsed L4/L5 and L5/S1 is not the best idea :P

Mate, I know how you feel, fitter here with a blown L4/L5.

Considered looking at planning/scheduler? Lots of blokes make it up from the tools. Maybe even consider a cert 4 (Adv Dipl.) in mech engineering? TAFE based, most of it can be done part time, and its a good bump from the trade cert.

[crabman]

Went down the path at my employer working in a position to give me a leg up into planning/scheduling and have been applying internal and external for more than the last year (doing that role for over two). Unfortunately planning/sceduling roles on site you are extremely lucky to get it or its already being lined up for someone on the floor of the relevant workshop. Internally I have a feeling there is something bad to my name as the last planning job went to a lower caliber applicant, so far as never been on site if I recall correctly and I priced up the last 3 odd machines maintenance rates that went to that site... and they weren't doing badly last time i checked lol. I hit breaking point and can't bring myself to do my current job anymore as it was close to killing me.

Given up on electrical based mature age apprenticeships and studying for now unless I can somehow do it full time as I want to head to Canada for a couple of years when I turn 28 (less than two years away) and don't want to be heading over their only half finished or freshly finished but now relevant experience as that will hurt me going into that field when I get back. Waiting to hear back about two roles at the moment, if they are a flop I'm smashing a gram of tramadol a day and looking for serviceman gigs to get me through for the next year.

[forde]

Anyone know of any fitter apprenticeships on offer?

[evoeata]

Another death at my Lyell in tassie. Bogger operator was found dead by ert after a mud rush. 3rd fatality in 5 weeks. RIP

[Fryman]

why do they use contracts? Accounting methods, costs and such. There would be massive fiscal dancing involved in the party transactions and the requirements of the parties funding the project (be it the banks, chinese etc) .. also limited liablity.. Just a thought

Expenses be expenses.

[Fukushima]

I'm smashing a gram of tramadol a day and looking for serviceman gigs to get me through for the next year.

fek

ask docs about tapentadol

[Butcher]

Mate, I know how you feel, fitter here with a blown L4/L5.

Quote Originally Posted by crabman View Post
I totally understand where you are coming from and makes heaps of sense, just going back to the tools with a prolapsed L4/L5 and L5/S1 is not the best idea :P

For the money people earn up north

Could do what i did, Went and saw a surgeon gave him 50k he cut the damaged one out and replaced it with a artificial disc then i went back to work in under a month and got on with earning money. Would be much cheaper if you have private health. My line of work is tough on the body and i haven't had a issue .

[crabman]

For the money people earn up north

Could do what i did, Went and saw a surgeon gave him 50k he cut the damaged one out and replaced it with a artificial disc then i went back to work in under a month and got on with earning money. Would be much cheaper if you have private health. My line of work is tough on the body and i haven't had a issue .

Would be an option, but I can't afford the 50k atm :P Hell, can't even afford a spare 10k. Will try the root sleeve injection again when I can ~ June-ish. But I just entered the public waiting lines to see a neurosurgeon, might get seen before I hit 30.

Out of interest, what was the recover period like for the procedure? You said a month but after doing some reading it came across as quite extensive ~3-6 months, by the time you add in the cost of it and the loss of earnings from the operation/recovery period, I swear I'd need to work a year to get back to where I would be financially before going under the knife.

[Kickit]

Just started at brockman 2.
Anyone from here work there?

[Butcher]

Crabman, I had no choice in the matter as i was already on the ropes so i had to go back to work or go bankrupt within weeks. The pain currently is giving you grief atm so you should be able to put up with it after the surgery until it comes good obviously if you wait until all the pain goes from the incision and muscles being cut yes you will be off work for a long time but it will come good.
Look at the bigger picture i unfortunately haven't been blessed with 'professional son status' so when i had mine done 50k was my entire take home pay for a year but i knew i had three options 1 put up with the stuffed back to the point that one day i wouldnt be able to work or walk at all 2 take a pay cut doing some easy task i could handle but never accomplish anything, or 3 take a financial hit get it done go back to work and work hard to recover that money 20 fold in the long run.

It is no easy decision, you may be able to avoid surgical intervention if you hit the gym hard to build your core and frame strength so not as much pressure is loaded on the effected disc and give up the tools to try and find employment in a different field around town to bring in an income.

[family guy]

Just started at brockman 2.
Anyone from here work there?

Not working there but got a offer from Brockman 4. Just wondering what their roster is for processing? 2/1 or 8/6? And what the place is like?

[Damo 69]

Not working there but got a offer from Brockman 4. Just wondering what their roster is for processing? 2/1 or 8/6? And what the place is like?

I did boolgeeda airport at brockman

Not a bad camp and food is usually pretty good at brockman 4 ops camp

[Satan]

Not working there but got a offer from Brockman 4. Just wondering what their roster is for processing? 2/1 or 8/6? And what the place is like?

if you have an offer, then surely you know the roster?

[KPWISHN]

For RTIO employees, B4 is all 8/6 apart from a few people in upper management. It is my understanding that everyone at b2 is now being offered 8/6 only. They have many on 2/1, 9/5 and 8/6 but are trying to get everyone on 8/6 going forward with the NBWT.

[Damo 69]

In Newman hasn't stopped raining 3 days

[Kickit]

Raining at brockman today. hopefully the plane can land tomorrow haha

[BASSULA]

Been at Sino Iron for the past couple of days.. interesting place........

Flying home this morning. YAY!

[thommo]

For RTIO employees, B4 is all 8/6 apart from a few people in upper management. It is my understanding that everyone at b2 is now being offered 8/6 only. They have many on 2/1, 9/5 and 8/6 but are trying to get everyone on 8/6 going forward with the NBWT.

wish our company would do that..

all production related are 2/1. everyone in office 8/6. id take the pay cut anyday for better roster

[newbie101]

It is no easy decision, you may be able to avoid surgical intervention if you hit the gym hard to build your core and frame strength so not as much pressure is loaded on the effected disc and give up the tools to try and find employment in a different field around town to bring in an income.

I have had the butchers in at mine twice, first for a straight up discectomy, second time for a second discectomy and a small laminectomy, and it seems to have fixed it, but +11ty for getting core and frame strength up to scratch. Its pretty much what everyone needs to do to avoid this in the first place.
Crabman - You will need to give up the tools IMO. Spanner swinging is about as bad as it gets for an already fkd spine, and go easy on that tramadol mate. You can end up pretty hooked on that shit, especially at 1g a day

[vy ss ute m6]

wish our company would do that..

all production related are 2/1. everyone in office 8/6. id take the pay cut anyday for better roster

+1. Although FMG are all 8/6 bar contractors. Can't complain lately though with my 4/3... pretty good to be home every weekend!

[Satan]

In Newman hasn't stopped raining 3 days

Whaleback is flooded - no chance we're coming back for some time

[Satan]

Raining at brockman today. hopefully the plane can land tomorrow haha

MAC flights out today were cancelled, plane tried to land twice apparently and its not looking good for them tomorrow either

poor buggers

[beefcake]

Flew in to the creek today , the pilot flew under the clouds from cloudbreak all the way to the creek , yay fuckn poof pingpingpingping !!
Anyway so now it's a few days jerking off in our rooms as this joint is as flooded as the urinals at the Perth cup !!! Shitttttt

[beefcake]

Also herd gossip at the pub that macas is suspended from mining at cc2 because of yet again more bizzare shit going on ? Anyone know anything more than pissed carnts at the pub ?

[family guy]

if you have an offer, then surely you know the roster?

Well labour hire mob have contacted me to work at brockman 4 and hope downs 4. But nothing has been talked of wages or rosters. Hence the reason I was asking about rosters. "Offer" Is that they are offering me work there if I am after it.

Also 3 days straight of rain out Nullagine way too.

[SP]

Well labour hire mob have contacted me to work at brockman 4 and hope downs 4. But nothing has been talked of wages or rosters. Hence the reason I was asking about rosters. "Offer" Is that they are offering me work there if I am after it.

Also 3 days straight of rain out Nullagine way too.

I'm in the fixed plant at B4, rosters 8 and 6 flying Tuesdays. Good camp, good crews. One of the better places I've worked.

[Passage GT]

I've officially gone from a 'resi dog' to fifo scum, on 2/1 atm but will be 2/2 in 4 months or so, apparently they're going to try force all of rail into 2/2...id gladly do it if I didn't lose 53k a year as well.

[thommo]

2/2 would we sweet its even time. I wouldnt have thought that you'd drop that much $$ a 2/1 to an 8/6 the FIFO allowance on our base salary is around 15% less

[Damo 69]

Whaleback is flooded - no chance we're coming back for some time

who are you working for at whaleback?

we were supposed to fly out this morning, changed all the flights etc and then 2 hours later we were told to stay. yipppeee

[schnoods]

Also herd gossip at the pub that macas is suspended from mining at cc2 because of yet again more bizzare shit going on ? Anyone know anything more than pissed carnts at the pub ?


Yep heard about it through a mate.

Apparently one of their employees got killed changing a belly plate, went under it and didnt have any jacks to hold the plate, undid all the bolts and it crushed him. From my understanding it was a Phillapino worker.


EDIT : not sure if death or serious injury.

[beefcake]

Shit that's another injury I haven't herd about yet , only flew in yesterday , still sitting in our rooms doing nothing as it's flooded and pissing down still

[coucheee]

Also herd gossip at the pub that macas is suspended from mining at cc2 because of yet again more bizzare shit going on ? Anyone know anything more than pissed carnts at the pub ?

I heard some one rolled an LV on the first night of the rain, also a truck that was left half way up a ramp because of weather rolled back down due to brake failure on the same night, no one injured from these two incidents i believe.

[beefcake]

All vids in a few minutes of each other the little drain gets some water flowing ASAP

http://youtu.be/WvcOpGH0ysQ

http://youtu.be/KuxJe7B7MKE

http://youtu.be/I9eRuSS47cc

[beefcake]

I heard some one rolled an LV on the first night of the rain, also a truck that was left half way up a ramp because of weather rolled back down due to brake failure on the same night, no one injured from these two incidents i believe.
yep those two i heard happened, they cant win down at cc2 at the moment , anything and everything is going wrong

[-Luke-]

Which camp is in the above video's?

[beefcake]

xmas creek karntama village

[beefcake]

plenty of people bitch about this place but i reakon its great, flame away

[Damo 69]

Its only has 3 types of caviar, a 42” LCD and only 50 foxtel channels – is junk

[-Luke-]

Looks a damn site nicer than Penni mutherfucking Palms!

[Tre-Cool]

haha, yeah i was booked into penni palms last night, took a look at the room and went fuck this. Went and stayed the night at my uncles place in Karratha. Only came back this morning for a shower/change.

Fly back to perth this arvo, New accommodation and town mess in wickham is Awesome. (was at CLA,CLB mon-tues)

[-Luke-]

which rooms? Tin city or the old brick blocks?

[Tre-Cool]

tin city. was room 1034. theres a bottle of Canadian club in the fridge I left behind...

[Poktrokt]

We also had an LV roll over at BHP but not sure which site, was a cruiser, possibly a rail dept car.

Flooded big time up here, our only road to Great N hwy was flooded closed and a number of creek crossings rose up to 2 metres above the road :/
All roads have reopened here as if late this afternoon! Flights recommenced this arvo too.

[Denver]

Looks like there might only be a day or so of clearish weather. Rain predicted to start again sat/sun and getting heavy mon and tues with another low and potential cyclone.

[Bomber]

Getting the fuck outta Area C in less than 90 minutes. Can. Not. Wait. 😊

[morgazmatron]

Looks like there might only be a day or so of clearish weather. Rain predicted to start again sat/sun and getting heavy mon and tues with another low and potential cyclone.

I swear it always happens on a fucking Tuesday! Low cloud chem trail conspiricy..

[thommo]

better clear up by the arvo tuesday haha

[butters]

flew to work yesterday, roads closed to site, sit at a mates house in newman watching the cricket all day. Best first day back ever.

[Poktrokt]

Dat weather last night.... Far out!!! I thought I was at a rave!!!
Anyone with a good camera get any shots??

[Passage GT]

I spent last swing in cajaput (tin city) and the rooms are very nice, shit all over any donga I've been in, apparently us rail guys are going into the similar camp being built next to the mess in April, I can't wait!

[j3rk]

Looks like there might only be a day or so of clearish weather. Rain predicted to start again sat/sun and getting heavy mon and tues with another low and potential cyclone.
Offshore at the moment and we are monitoring this closely, looking like Sunday should pick up to TC status... as long as it dissipates by next Friday ZFG!

[skidkid]

Hopefully the TC makes it through to Roy Hill - a few days off would be great!

[Denver]

Flew home today after what was possibly the longest week of nights. Ever.

Cloud break is up to 10 days with sfa production due to rain. Comes in on average twice a night. Stuffs everything up that day shift tried to fix. And stuffs the whole show again.

And looks like the rest of the week is the same. And possibly into next week as well. Bad news for production all round.

In other news. Hearing rumors mcmahons are going to get the boot out of Chrissy creek. Fmg is advertising for operators on their website to work there.

[vy ss ute m6]

Flew home today after what was possibly the longest week of nights. Ever.

Cloud break is up to 10 days with sfa production due to rain. Comes in on average twice a night. Stuffs everything up that day shift tried to fix. And stuffs the whole show again.

And looks like the rest of the week is the same. And possibly into next week as well. Bad news for production all round.

In other news. Hearing rumors mcmahons are going to get the boot out of Chrissy creek. Fmg is advertising for operators on their website to work there.

Move to CC if you can, not sure if you've been there but it's Hollywood compared to here. Solomon is a step up again, will hopefully be posted out there for a few months mid-year once Kings is fully operational.

[Faz]

FMG bought out the plant didn't they? So its owner/operator now?
I fly out tomorrow, cbf another 2 weeks

[Denver]

Fmg own all the machinery, downer and macas run and maintain the gear.

Sounds like they going semi owner op. Ditching macas but will keep downer for now or until the contract ends.

[hako]

Offshore at the moment and we are monitoring this closely, looking like Sunday should pick up to TC status... as long as it dissipates by next Friday ZFG!

You involved with a rig move Paul? Noticed a rig getting towed past today between Pluto and Osprey. In other news, fuck it is hot offshore at the moment, zero wind.

[Baggus]

Any one at West Angelas site?? I start next month

[Satan]

I've controlled West Ang and had a few site visits
ordinary

[2LMILK]

Csi ran the Opf. All our guys from Cb have been sent to cc for the Opf warehouse. Now I have my ass hanging off at Cb trying to explain to retards if the roads are block. And you destroyed the last pair of pants I have you yesterday.... Well ya just up shit Fucking creek

[morgazmatron]

Fmg own all the machinery, downer and macas run and maintain the gear.

Sounds like they going semi owner op. Ditching macas but will keep downer for now or until the contract ends.

Maccas got shut down for a week but started up again on the weekend. Unless something changed from tuesday when I flew out..

Although I dont think it will take too many more incidents for them to be no longer needed.

[beefcake]

Downer own their gear

[beefcake]

Ps we had the DMP go through downers while operation last week and we got a massive tick of approval , must be doing something right

[Denver]

Rumor is macas are going. Just like wa surface mining is getting the boot.

Beefy you sure. From what I understand all the new gear that turned up Fmg own diggers trucks dozers etc. Downers have some of their own kit there but Fmg own the majority. Same as the gear at Solomon.

[beefcake]

Down at maccas cc2 yeah but near on all the stuff in cc1 is downers gear ,they even have a decent number of gear parked up on top of a waste dump ready to head over to Roy hill , as far as the komatsu trucks go they may be fmg trucks I'll ask tonight , I'm just a Lv unit , so the guys next door can fill me in

[morgazmatron]

Down at maccas cc2 yeah but near on all the stuff in cc1 is downers gear ,they even have a decent number of gear parked up on top of a waste dump ready to head over to Roy hill , as far as the komatsu trucks go they may be fmg trucks I'll ask tonight , I'm just a Lv unit , so the guys next door can fill me in

Downer own all their own gear.. FMG own maccas gear.

[Kickit]

Downer Own like 8 930s and FMG owns a few. could be more.

[R3N]

Anyone have any insight into the Chrissy Creek Mine Expansion project?

[beefcake]

Early paperwork I was reading about it was they hAd submitted the request with the gov and enviro agencies for a 30 % expansion , whAt stage they are at who knows

[1SPRINT]

I see Downers have been given the contract for Roy Hill.

[beefcake]

Yep got that a few months ago , they have also got a few construction contracts up their sleeve as well in the last few months

[thommo]

Anyone working at RIO pit control? Im chasing a role there and want it badly. Will repay if I got the job ;)

[Tikki]

Are any of you guys operators? Just curious to see how you got into the job.

I'm thinking about going to do a Haul Truck / Watercart operator course but from the job ads online they seem to only be recruiting experienced operators... should i bother forking out a couple of grand to do it?

Have my unrestricted HR licence and approx 2 years mining experience (Offsider/Driller and Fieldy).

[SK]

i just got a job as a fitter doing shutdowns

going to BHP Yandi next week then cloudbreak at the start of march

[American Dave]

Are any of you guys operators? Just curious to see how you got into the job.

I'm thinking about going to do a Haul Truck / Watercart operator course but from the job ads online they seem to only be recruiting experienced operators... should i bother forking out a couple of grand to do it?

Have my unrestricted HR licence and approx 2 years mining experience (Offsider/Driller and Fieldy).

Do not waste your money on courses like that imo. Better off using bribery if you know a mate working as an operator, leading hand op. We start greeenskins all the time at Rio sites but only because they know someone.

[crabman]

Are any of you guys operators? Just curious to see how you got into the job.

I'm thinking about going to do a Haul Truck / Watercart operator course but from the job ads online they seem to only be recruiting experienced operators... should i bother forking out a couple of grand to do it?

Have my unrestricted HR licence and approx 2 years mining experience (Offsider/Driller and Fieldy).

I'm in same boat. Going to look for serviceman work in March, hopefully score a gig with a 773/777 service truck. Do that for a bit then go for bonehead roles :P

[Tikki]

Do not waste your money on courses like that imo. Better off using bribery if you know a mate working as an operator, leading hand op. We start greeenskins all the time at Rio sites but only because they know someone.

Don't know any operators... so no one to bribe :(

Would do the course purely to be able to say i have 'experience' ... albeit only a weeks worth..

[-Luke-]

^?
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yeJ_asSNpt4/SNJLwbjKx8I/AAAAAAAABc0/fU3bTqO-XCs/s320/big+digger+002.JPG

[thommo]

Do not waste your money on courses like that imo. Better off using bribery if you know a mate working as an operator, leading hand op. We start greeenskins all the time at Rio sites but only because they know someone.

exactly what im talking about! haha c'mon rio people

[Buckets]

Bribes don't work all of the time either...

Entry level roles are seriously not impossible to land IF you're at that end of the market. The problem is people don't bother to look at the lower tier companies like junior miners or bottom of the barrel contractors. As a rule the money will be rubbish as will the conditions/rosters. 99% of the time the gear will be decrepit and while it sounds crap you'll do 6-12 months there racking up seat time and wind up on all kinds of gear simply because these companies can't hold people.

As Dave said don't waste cash on rubbish courses but lower your sights and you may have a better chance.

That being said taking employment advice from me is akin to taking ethics classes from politicians, thieves and trade unionists...

[2LMILK]

i just got a job as a fitter doing shutdowns

going to BHP Yandi next week then cloudbreak at the start of march

Opf shut here at Cb is assume.
If I'm on site come say hi in the warehouse

[skidkid]

http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20140211/pdf/42mn2zr82rh3mx.pdf


Forge is looking pretty shithouse.

[Alt_F4]

http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20140211/pdf/42mn2zr82rh3mx.pdf


Forge is looking pretty shithouse.
Yep, they'll be very lucky to get new financiers, best case scenario is a take over offer or being forced to sell some assets.
Anything else is very bad news for all parties involved.

[skidkid]

Guesses here at either being bought out or going into administration.. Have heard horror stories from other projects where they had to sell sea containers to be able to pay for potable water.

Will see if our pay goes through on Friday or not.

[Damo 69]

And they are gone, financiers have pulled the plug.

Dare say the bigger jobs I.e Roy hill will be taken over by leightons, or a JV

And the fledgling ones? No idea

[newbie101]

Sad to see, but for once I was actually one of the first rats off the ship.

Feels good to not be the one drowning, epic sorry for the guys still there.

[Skitzo]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Second company in 9 months. Doesn't bother me too much cause GTFO. Jus tmeans less money for Canada. But, feel shit for everyone else, and my mates here.

[TJ]

Its a shame, especially with several members here having worked/still there.

Hope someone can sort it all.

[Tikki]

Entry level roles are seriously not impossible to land IF you're at that end of the market. The problem is people don't bother to look at the lower tier companies like junior miners or bottom of the barrel contractors. As a rule the money will be rubbish as will the conditions/rosters. 99% of the time the gear will be decrepit and while it sounds crap you'll do 6-12 months there racking up seat time and wind up on all kinds of gear simply because these companies can't hold people.

As Dave said don't waste cash on rubbish courses but lower your sights and you may have a better chance.

That being said taking employment advice from me is akin to taking ethics classes from politicians, thieves and trade unionists...

What companies would you suggest I (and other people who have no operator experience) aim for? - It seems the majority of the jobs ads for operators are coming through recruitment agencies.

[Azrian]

Sooooo many stories and rumor mills about Forge lol.

[adrenalin]

Just got back from Jimblebar.

They are close to the final handover and most people there are saying they are either heading to Wheatstone or one of the sites up at Darwin as they are screaming for all sorts of people.

[skidkid]

Forge is now in admin.

All plant stood down. Flights cancelled.

its gone.

[Azrian]

Ferrier Hodgson have just walked into the building

[esky]

Flights cancelled? poor pingpingpingpings on site paying there own way home?

[Azrian]

All the Hire mobs are calling for all there plant.

[Poktrokt]

i just got a job as a fitter doing shutdowns

going to BHP Yandi next week then cloudbreak at the start of march
I'm at Yandi! Come say hi! Located at the OHP3 building!

[Poktrokt]

Feel so sorry for all the people with families to support and mortgages to pay! This is not the time to be without a job! Can take months to secure something else!

Looks like Tom will be doing a lot of chores around the place lol I an already preparing the list LOL

[Azrian]

Good thing i have an interview already lined up

[SK]

Opf shut here at Cb is assume.
If I'm on site come say hi in the warehouse


I'm at Yandi! Come say hi! Located at the OHP3 building!

will do :)

shit thing about shutdowns is that because you go to different sites you have to do site specific inductions for them all :(

ive been doing inductions since last week lol, done BHP, Rio and FMG plus all the other safety ones like confined spaces, working at heights etc

hopefully will all be worth it when im done :)

[Bomber]

Application to Roy Hill Holdings as a digger operator went in this morning. Interested to see how long it takes to hear back from them. I'm guessing they will be getting hammered by applications

[Buckets]

Ferrier Hodgson have just walked into the building

These pingpingpingpings ARE THE DEVIL !!!

[BASSULA]

Forge owe us money.. this is not cool! and being a smaller amount we will no doubt just have to class it as burnt,

[Buckets]

Well it's just gotten that little bit worse for any of Forges creditiors.

The ANZ have just appointed KordaMentha as receivers. It's well and truly fucked now, there would have been some minor hope with FH trying to trade out but now it's gone from administration to receivership there's no way of coming out of that.

[Deke]

my mate is at yarnima power station with forge , spoke with him this morning he said , kiefer that was doing all the lagging and sheeting are packing up and leaving , stork radiography who do all the weld xrays they have packed up and left already , there is a crane company there that has all the 400T cranes , apparently the guy is owed 800k and if he pulls out aswell everything will come to a halt.

[BASSULA]

We need to investigate what will happen as they have not handed over the project yet to the customer, and under terms and conditions the goods are technically still ours.. don't know if that will work out well however!

I feel lots of lawyers will be getting calls about this tomorrow if not already

[DanWA]

KordaMentha are a bunch of thieving fucks to

[Buckets]

You have the legal ability to reclaim the goods from the administrators and receivers if you so wish Bassula.

They will fight it (not vigiously) but at the end of the day the goods are your property until payment is made.

Speak to a lawyer to properly clarify but fuck the administrators as hard as you possibly can before they fuck you.

[BASSULA]

Will no doubt be making calls tomorrow!!

[TJ]

So someone who works there has said they are not being paid this Fri :(

[Buckets]

Pretty standard given the circumstances TJ.

The administrators are not legally required to pay for any pre appointment wages or entitlements (so anything owing before the time of them being given control of the company). Any thing incurred after that they are responsible for. Given that there is no hope of trading out at this stage they've decided to axe everyone before they incur any employee related costs. What will happen is Ferriers will add all the employees to the creditors list and one good thing for employees is their amounts owing are given legal preference over most claims (with the exception of secured creditors and the administrators themselves) so there's a reasonable chance people will see some of what's owed in time.

I know first hand it sucks to be in this position but sadly that's the way the system works. Usually when a company of this size goes to the wall a couple of other companies fall over as well so it's going to be interesting to see who was overexposed and can't take the hit.

[DanWA]

KordaMentha will however continue to be paid, this happened in my Griffin Coal days.

[Lonewolf]

We need to investigate what will happen as they have not handed over the project yet to the customer, and under terms and conditions the goods are technically still ours.. don't know if that will work out well however!

I feel lots of lawyers will be getting calls about this tomorrow if not already

Hope your terms and conditions are ironclad, we supplied some goods to a company 2 days before they went into administration and weren't allowed to retrieve them.
Wrote it off, not worth fighting for a smallish amount

[SSICK]

These pingpingpingpings ARE THE DEVIL !!!

They got me ALL of my money my old boss owed me. Sent me a nice fat cheque on my birthday 7 months after the company shut its doors.

[mr_mike]

Drove past Forges yard today in spearwood, no trucks like usual and on a few cars in the parking lot. Logistics depo round the corner was fully shut.
Few companies I deal with we're quoting forge so could be a bit of collatoral damage

[Deke]

mate at yarnima got the ass today , didnt get paid either , the whole site is locked so everyone is pissed off because there tools are still onsite and they arnt allowed too go out and get them, everyone flys out tommaro

[Alt_F4]

Official announcement has been publicly released now.


12 February 2014

Media Release

Forge loses projects, employees stood down

1300 employees on power stations and mining projects in Western Australia and Queensland were
retrenched today after the principals of the construction jobs exercised contractual rights they
claimed on the projects.

Mr Mark Mentha of KordaMentha Restructuring said he hoped some of the employees may be able
to get work with the new contractors. Forge employees would receive their entitlements from the
sale of Forge assets and the Federal Government scheme that guaranteed basic entitlements.

He said: “There is no money to pay employees and no work to perform. We are working closely
with the administrators Ferrier Hodgson to do whatever we can to help the employees at this
dreadful time for them and their families. We will be bringing the employees back to their home
town and helping them apply for their entitlements.”

KordaMentha Restructuring was appointed Receivers and Managers of the ASX-listed engineering,
procurement and construction company on Tuesday, following the Company’s decision to appoint
Ferrier Hodgson as Voluntary Administrators.

Mr Mentha emphasised that Forge’s international businesses in South Africa, Asia and the US
would operate business as usual pending a sale of those businesses. These operations come
under the Taggart and Webb Groups.

The Australian operations had to be assessed on a project-by-project basis. “Today’s moves by
some of the owners of the projects forced our hand because there is no cash to carry employees,”
he said. Employees were notified of the redundancies at meetings this afternoon.

The appointment of Administrators and Receivers follows the company reporting significant cost
over-runs and profit downgrades in power construction contracts. Mr Mentha said against a
backdrop of material movements in cash flow and EBITDA projections, the Company’s financiers
did everything possible to give the Company time to find a solution to repair its balance sheet.

Forge previously employed 1753 staff in Australia, mostly in the construction division, with a further
814 overseas.

All employees and creditors should contact the voluntary administrator at forgegroup@fh.com.au or
(08) 9214 1485 for further information.


KordaMentha media enquiries: Michael Smith 0411 055 306
Ferrier Hodgson media enquiries: Michael Cave 0409 647 910

I lost a big chunk of cash on shares, but it was a gamble for me and I knew the risks.

Feel very sorry for people who are at the arse end of this deal :(

[DanWA]

Not good at all for everyone involved and affected, The good workers will be able to get onto another project pretty easily i hope

[scary]

Got the letter to creditors today in the mail from Ferrier Hodgson.

Not sure if there is any point going to the creditors meeting as the list of big ones will be huge!

[EVOVIIIMR]

Mining is having a very hard time in W.A and overseas at them moment ... Underground mining even worse off.. 12 years in the game seeing shit go up and down.. It is sad to see so many ppl lose there jobs

[butters]

was at newman airport on wednesday night. Airport full of people from forge, looked like they were all paying themselves to get home, 5 planes on the runway instead of the usual 2, names being called out once they had seats. So sad seeing all of the guys saying goodbye to each other. What a fucked up situation.

[Pierced69]

The guys ARE paying for their own tickets home :( and is very quiet time in mining at the moment. I got laid off after 9 years at the one site ( So anyone know of a longhole driller job going) but going off industry gossip its all supposed to be picking up in the next 6 -12 mths, we will see

[Bomber]

RIP.

[-Luke-]

Very sad. RIP.

[evoeata]

We got told last night at the meeting about the death of a bogger op

From what we've been told he was watering down a heading and the brow collapsed right up to where he was

RIP

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-16/mine-death/5263096?pfm=ms

U at norsey mate? Thought they got shutdown again? I was there a couple of years ago when theines department came in and shut us down. Heard atlas copco came and got all their machines back.

[Frenchy]

It's been up and running for over a year Matt, my old boy works there.
They have been laying off a lot of staff tho over the past 3-6months

[VS50WA]

my mate is at yarnima power station with forge , spoke with him this morning he said , kiefer that was doing all the lagging and sheeting are packing up and leaving , stork radiography who do all the weld xrays they have packed up and left already , there is a crane company there that has all the 400T cranes , apparently the guy is owed 800k and if he pulls out aswell everything will come to a halt.
I was also at yarnima power station mark the guy that owns the crane company Assess Orr is owed heaps of money! His father is also on site as Worley Parsons Project Manager. The 400T crane is actually Forges and as are most of the cranes on site. Apart from 2 25t frannas and a 50t crane from Boddington hire.

Was devistated to here this was off work as my wife gave birth to my first child last tuesday. So am pretty much just waiting for a call from one of the 27 job applications i have made in the last few days.

Times are tough in construction all thanks to the mining tax....

[Damo 69]

Times are tough in construction all thanks to the mining tax....

lol wut

[Bomber]

lol wut
Motion seconded.
lol wut

[Damo 69]

times are tough in construction cos of the fucking hoon sharks

[American Dave]

due to all the extra taxes and red tape associated with building anything beyond a dog house in this country imo

[Denver]

The mining tax netted what. A massive 30 mil. Not bad for the 10 bil it was projected to earn.

[American Dave]

it actually cost more to administer than it ever raised, fail

[Denver]

In reality. Constructions dead because all the projects are finished or finishing. Wheatstone and Roy hill is pretty much all that's happening now.

It's just a fact of the world economy, it's not expanding everything getting produced is meeting demand. When some other country sees a massive production boom like china did you'll see demand rise and people expand again and construction go nuts again.

Till then. There won't be any stupid paying union capitalizing jobs going.

[Uber XR]

Looking to change career paths and head where the money is.

I have a few years warehousing experience and have been told I should look for a store person job.
Not afraid of working the long hours as I did it for two years mostly unpaid over time at the current job so will be a nice change to be paid for it.

Also realise times are tough at the moment but any one know of anything going?

[evoeata]

Think there is a warehouse gig here at argyle. Ill suss it out and let u know

[2LMILK]

Mark
Turn over here at Cloudbreak is quite high
Apply with hays and supply connections.

[Uber XR]

Thanks guys much appreciated

[Miggy]

Saving my penny's and reading a shit load of investment books atm, not sure what's on the horizon after this job is finished. Mining/Construction has always been a volatile industry but what if it doesn't pick back up....

[Damo 69]

I think with the profits being announced (rio $3billion BHP $8billion) they may start to get the wallet out

[DanWA]

Mining & Construction has always been volatile, there is people that live for it though.

Mate of mine has worked at so many places he has lost count, he just loves the frequent change of scenery. 6 years in the mining game was enough for me!

[Alt_F4]

I think with the profits being announced (rio $3billion BHP $8billion) they may start to get the wallet out
Both have increased dividend, but more importantly both stocks are about +5% where they were 3 years ago before the European crisis.

The removal of the MRRT at the EOFY should give the mining sector a strong vote of confidence which should translate to increased share price + dividends, and hopefully new projects too.

[Damo 69]

At the end of the day the management have a responsibility to increase shareholder value year on year or they get the flick

They have to keep expanding to keep the shareholders happy

[Damo 69]

6 years in the mining game was enough for me!

sounds like a complaint

[DanWA]

sounds like a complaint

Luckily since leaving mining i have actually found 1 or 2 decent project managers, all the useless ones seem to be in mining.

[Damo 69]

Luckily since leaving mining i have actually found 1 or 2 decent project managers, all the useless ones seem to be in mining.

i agree

[HotAe92]

I think with the profits being announced (rio $3billion BHP $8billion) they may start to get the wallet out

But that's a problem that is prevelant through many industries and not just mining. Rather than keeping lean workforce numbers that will see through both good times and bad, they employ like buggery when times are good and layoff like buggery when times are bad. There is nothing more corrosive to motovation and productivity than mass layoffs, but they prefer this expensive and often ineffective approach (and lets not forget usually an exorbitant HR department - with head hunters aiming to justify their existance of a daily basis) than the former. Sustainability is a word that just doesn't cross peoples mind, its either boom or bust which is just BS.

[SSICK]

Mining in WA is slow, not everywhere else. My old man has been in the game since i was born (25 years) grew up in Leinster working at Agnew gold mine. He has been offered jobs in Spain, Finland (did 12 months there last year) and North Carolina in the last few months. Get out of the WA bubble and try go abroad, the work is there.

Almost at the point where ill be asking him to get me a job somewhere overseas.

[Damo 69]

Mining in WA is slow, not everywhere else. My old man has been in the game since i was born (25 years) grew up in Leinster working at Agnew gold mine. He has been offered jobs in Spain, Finland (did 12 months there last year) and North Carolina in the last few months. Get out of the WA bubble and try go abroad, the work is there.

Almost at the point where ill be asking him to get me a job somewhere overseas.

funny you said that, the international market has picked up alot lately, applied for several international positions over the weekend