The isolated nature of South Australia’s mines often requires workers to adopt a fly in, fly out (FIFO) lifestyle, with all its challenges and changes from the traditional ‘9 to 5’ work life. Although a lot has been said about the impact a FIFO career may have on families and the societies in which the mines operate, these workers embrace the change and believe it to be a positive lifestyle choice.
Design Engineer at Cooper Basin
Shift Coordinator at Jacinth-Ambrosia
Sean O’Sullivan, a geologist at IMX Resources Cairn Hill mine, admits that FIFO lifestyle isn’t for everyone and compares it to metropolitan shift workers, but with more benefits.
‘It’s really not that different to shift work. Most shift workers come home and sit in front of the TV after work, but with FIFO it allows you to come back home after your stint, spend time with family and friends, and completely leave work for a week,’ he said.
‘It does take time to adjust to the lifestyle, but you’ll know pretty quickly if it’s not for you.’
Mr O’Sullivan, who has worked for IMX Resources for two years, discovered his love for geology whilst studying at Bachelor of Science at the University of Adelaide. Finishing his undergraduate studies in 2009, Mr O’Sullivan then went on to complete his honours on the Mt Woods geological structure, the inlier that hosts IMX’s Cairn Hill iron-ore–copper–gold mine and OZ Minerals Prominent Hill copper-gold mine.
He then ran into IMX Resources workers whilst on a university field trip and applied for the geologist job with two months to go of his studies.
Working an eight days on, six days off roster, Mr O’Sullivan says the FIFO lifestyle allows him to spend more time with family and friends, camping or playing sport, but also allows him the ‘unique’ benefits of becoming involved in the community of Coober Pedy when away for work.
IMX Resources has maintained a strong and continuous presence in the Coober Pedy region since 2000, building a village within the township to ensure that the benefits from the Cairn Hill mine are shared with the local community.
‘Living in town allows us to go for a drink after work or participate in quiz nights at the Italian club, go to the opal festivals or train at the gym at the local footy club,’ he said.
'The housing facilities are great. I have my own dugout (underground home) rented by the company and it’s definitely a unique lifestyle compared to living at a traditional mining site.'
‘We are basically living down the road from places that people come from all across the world to see.’
The Cairn Hill mine employs about 120 people on site – including three geologists - with IMX Resources offering FIFO workers and their families a generous living allowance if they relocate to Coober Pedy.
Design engineer at Cooper Basin
Truck drivers, geologists, engineers and mechanics: it is becoming more and more common for these roles – traditionally filled by men - to be filled by women within the resources industry.
A recent Resources and Engineering Skills Alliance report found that women accounted for 27 per cent of the South Australian mining labour workforce in 2011.
But there is still a need for more women to be promoted to senior management positions, according to Lorrienne Lyte, a facilities design engineer for Beach Energy.
Ms Lyte, who is currently working a FIFO roster at South Australia’s Cooper Basin, says that although there has been an increase in women in the industry since she started out eight years ago, there is a severe shortage of women in the 'top jobs'.
‘I would like to see this change, because although women can get employed in the industry quite easily now, there’s not much room for promotions,' she said.
Although a FIFO lifestyle - where workers usually work 12 hour days in harsh conditions - may put some women off a career in the resources industry, the lifestyle suits Ms Lyte who enjoys travel and working in a different environment.
‘I actually prefer working on site because even though I am on the only girl here at the moment, everyone is accepting and it’s fine,’ she said.
‘Energy is a vital service to communities, so I like that aspect of my work.’
Ms Lyte also believes there is a more accepting attitude to women on sites than in an office environment because the work is more reliant on skills.
‘I find it easier than working in an office environment because I find having the skills to do this sort of job overshadows any pre-conceived ideas about women that can be more prevalent in an office environment.’
Ms Lyte encourages other women to consider a career in the energy sector, offering the following advice:
‘Just be confident with what you can do and ask for opportunities.’
Shift coordinater at Jacinth-Ambrosia
From a contractor involved in setting up the mine camp, to a potential mine manager, Ceduna resident Brett Miller has been provided tremendous opportunities by the Iluka Resources Jacinth-Ambrosia operation.
Mr Miller, who currently works as a shift coordinator at the largest mineral sands operation in South Australia, has been given ‘so many opportunities’ from the mine – even before operations began.
His previous accreditation in carpentry/joinery provided an opportunity to work in the construction phase as a project manager in 2008, overseeing the instillation of services and accommodation units for the mine site.
After construction, the opportunity arose to work for the company on a FIFO roster in 2009. Mr Miller currently works eight days or seven nights followed by six days off.
‘It was a career I wanted to pursue and I knew what was involved with the lifestyle,’ he said.
Mr Miller describes Iluka Resources as a ‘family-orientated operation’ which continually supports his adaptation to a FIFO lifestyle.
With a young family and a supportive partner, the support of the company and closeness of the mine to his hometown of Ceduna helped with his decision to maintain his employment with Iluka.
Mr Miller believes the company is ‘very supportive’ of the local community, with the majority of the Jacinth-Ambrosia workforce recently completing two full days of volunteer work at local community events in Ceduna, Streaky Bay and surrounding districts.
The local communities and surrounding areas continually benefit in terms of employment opportunities and support for local community events.
Mr Miller, who was previously employed as a community development employment program manager, has assisted local, Indigenous participants peruse career paths via on-the-job and skills training, which included ongoing mentoring support.
Mr Miller is looking to study a certificate in mine management next year while working as a shift coordinator, and he believes opportunities within the company are there if you wish to peruse them.
Around 80 to 100 people currently work at Jacinth-Ambrosia, with the company committed to maximising education and employment opportunities through on-the-job and skills training.
Iluka Resources have set an aspirational target of at least 20 per cent Indigenous employment at the Jacinth-Ambrosia mine and it is currently on track to achieve this.