WELLBEING
IS MINING FOR ME?
There are many important aspects of your life, and even some small ones you won’t want to overlook, when considering work in the mining and resources industry
Mining is a big, beautiful, and brilliantly inspiring world. There are so many highs and lows, new discoveries and learning opportunities, rarely found anywhere else. It is also an industry full of unique challenges, which can affect your life in unexpected ways, if you’ve not taken the time to research, and do the personal groundwork first.
We’re not going to sugar-coat it - this work isn’t for everybody.
Imagine feeling inspired, quitting your job and landing a coveted role… only to find out after you begin that for one reason or another - and there are many - it’s just not for you. And that’s totally okay.
We’ll help you do the groundwork so you can best prepare, minimise the chances of disappointment, and make the right move for you!
Relationships
Large and looming physical distance between you and your loved ones, let alone for extended periods of time, is guaranteed to affect your relationships in varying ways. Making a decision to work away should include the consultation of significant individuals in your life such as a serious partner, or at the very least, considering how they may feel about this change. Family or household dynamics could also change drastically, and making the best of this is up to you. One of the most dangerous mistakes can be underestimating how your relationships will be affected. You will need to involve the important people in your life, and discuss how you are going to manage any changes/effects.
Social life
Over time, there will be countless events large and small which will pass by your calendar, from casual sundowners and mates’ birthdays, to major celebrations and holiday plans (unless you invite everyone to Bali on your R&R?). Negotiating rosters upfront is possible, but you can only plan so far ahead and you’re eventually guaranteed to miss out on some things. Because of the nature of unusual rosters, having leave approved is not always guaranteed, so you will need to think carefully about how you will prioritise work and personal time. Jono will have another birthday next year, but your sister’s highschool graduation is an important one.
Dating
Calling all single pringles! You know how meeting new people is difficult as it is? When you have limited time off at home, trying to catch up with friends, family, social events AND take time to relax is exhausting - and on top of all that, making time to meet your swipe rights? You’ll have to line up your limited availability with Bumble beau, and quality time is important in the early days of a relationship. It would be devo not getting to experience those butterflies as much as possible!
Sports, hobbies & pets
Being part of a team and enjoying hobbies often requires consistent and ongoing engagement, such as sports teams or clubs with weekly meet ups, gardening and plants relying on you to stay alive, developing creative skills such as painting, or maintaining a language class. Our furry family members need love and attention too, so whether you have a pet already or are thinking of one in the future, pets are a huge commitment which will be affected by working away.
Skin, hair and nails
Long days spent labouring in hot/cold extremes, while battling dirt, dust and wind, plus the occasional electrical storm will not do your skin, hair and nails any favours. Expensive hair extensions, fake nails and tattoos exposed to the elements will suffer. Even if you’re not too worried about your physical appearance, it is still so important to take care.
Exercise & nutrition
Ensuring you first understand what your personal health plan looks like, will assist in adapting this to a completely new lifestyle. Access to gym equipment, running tracks or swimming pools is very hit and miss, and will vary greatly from site to site. Some may offer classes, personal trainers or health advisors - others may have no support whatsoever. Consider how you will adapt your exercise regime to a life at camp, after a 12+ hour day of work. Food options and meal times will be strictly limited, and as such nutrition is one of the most contentious topics of all. This will all come down to personal preference, gratitude and flexibility, but it is difficult to prepare or adapt until you know what you have to work with.
Mental health
Really, we don’t meant to scare anybody away, but the reality is that this work is not easy, for so many reasons. Working in isolation, harsh conditions and new environments can take an unexpected toll on your mental health, even with the strongest of mindsets. There are numerous support resources available, but it is always beneficial to have a mental health plan to prevent and minimise any threats where possible. Make sure that you know which resources are available and how to access them for when you may need them. Taking care of you is number one!
Everything else
If you’ve a phobia of bugs, snakes, isolation, heights, confined space, loud noises, air travel, being trapped underground, or just about anything else… It’s time to do some deep reflection, brush up on your fly kung fu skills, or get ready for exposure therapy. It’s not one thing, but sometimes many things that add up, which can make this line of work difficult. Sometimes you may even experience unexpected challenges you could never have even anticipated.
Once you have taken time to reflect on the above, make sure you have a plan on how you are going to address each.
TOP 3 QUESTIONS
AM I READY FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY?
Am I able to put safety first and keep my mind on the job 100%?
The most important thing to know before setting foot on a mine site, is that it is a serious industry with dangerous work.
You will need to be mature, switched on and willing to learn. You are responsible for your safety and the safety of everyone around you. If you can’t keep your mind on the job, follow instructions and take your time, then a mine site is not the place for you.
An unequivocal “yes” to this question is the #1 requirement for you being successful in landing - and keeping - a job in the mining and resources industry, no matter how many other boxes you may tick.
Have I done everything I can to ensure I am making an informed decision?
Relevant advice to any major decision we make in life. Make sure that you are well informed, have done your research, listened to the experts, are open to critical thinking, and most importantly - ready to make the change. Have you done everything you can to get yourself off to the best start?
There’s no need to go in blind. There are so many resources available, all you need to do is the research, and we can even help with the rest - that’s what we’re here for!
What does my plan look like for personal and professional success?
Now you’ve done the ground work, let’s work on a plan. You won’t be getting very far running in, arms flailing, hoping for the best. Just stop, breathe, and know there is a way forward. Everything will work out.
We have just the solution for you - The Roadmap to Success. Everything you need to guide you on making the best decisions for your long-term success, health and wellbeing.
You know how the saying goes - proper preparation prevents… let’s just say, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Work in the mining and resources industry is not for everybody - and that is okay. Lifestyle factors and knowing your “why” are huge factors in this. Never make big decisions without thinking them through first - important decisions require proper preparation. Be open, honest and willing to make hard decisions. Your safety, health and wellbeing are #1.
