australian fifo suicides

[NZStreetBaller]

So I live in aus and did some mine work for like 3 days Im concrete pumping and they hired us for a bit

While I was out there I was told that alot of the fly in fly out workers commit suicide.

Was just wondering if the aussies on this forum know why??? Im pretty curios about this

Fifo workers get free food and free accommodation and get ATLEAST 150K a year

[poido123]

So I live in aus and did some mine work for like 3 days Im concrete pumping and they hired us for a bit

While I was out there I was told that alot of the fly in fly out workers commit suicide.

Was just wondering if the aussies on this forum know why??? Im pretty curios about this

Fifo workers get free food and free accommodation and get ATLEAST 150K a year


The isolation. The feeling that they are doing their job purely for the money can be depressing, even if the pay is good.

[masonanddixon]

So I live in aus and did some mine work for like 3 days Im concrete pumping and they hired us for a bit

While I was out there I was told that alot of the fly in fly out workers commit suicide.

Was just wondering if the aussies on this forum know why??? Im pretty curios about this

Fifo workers get free food and free accommodation and get ATLEAST 150K a year

They probably realize they are pieces of human filth being paid to literally destroy the country.

[Wavves]

My father lives in WA and does a week on a week off.

Everything he has told me about it, sounds like it is shit. Sure, the money is great but yeah...

[outbreak]

I know a guy who worked in the mining industry up the top end and I think it was something like 10 days in a mine then 5 days flown back home. He said there wasn't any job stability and the conditions for the 10 days in the mine were horrible. Guess it's different for people being bought on for set contracts and projects but he was permanent staff until they had to cut back. It sounded like every 10 days you know your going in to a shit situation, not the same at all but it sounded like the effect soldiers had during world war 1 and 2 where they would be rotated one week in the trenches then one week at the back of the line and soldiers would just spend the week at the back of the line worried sick about the next week coming. I know it's totally different but it sounded like the same kind of effect

[NZStreetBaller]

They probably realize they are pieces of human filth being paid to literally destroy the country.

destroy??? they sign a treaty at the start that clearly states that once the operation is over they must return the land to its original state they had 500million dollar tanks that clean the water and stuff where i was working. plus the wealth of australia is built mostly on the mining industry.

[NZStreetBaller]

The isolation. The feeling that they are doing their job purely for the money can be depressing, even if the pay is good.

yeah i did only like two days and i already missed my fams and sht. the isolation factor was my guess as well. i mean the work is actually really easy because the of the **** safety rules in the mine. you basically arent allowed to work that hard like your not allowed to run or rush because they believe that causes accidents so i worked really slow and deliberately which just felt ridiculous

The pay is great obviously and the food. oooh man the food it was fcking beautiful at that mine. (ranger mine jabiru) my room had a toilet and a shower and foxtel. but despite having all those luxuries I kind of said to myself man I'd never do this. Id rather see my family everyday for 35buk an hour concrete pumping then being isolated for 55 buck an hour driving a truck or something.

[Balla_Status]

They probably realize they are pieces of human filth being paid to literally destroy the country.

You're being a bit of a ****wit. Stop using energy powered by fossil fuels if you have an issue.

FIFO is a dream schedule. I'd take it any day over an office job. I should be the one causing suicide. I've gone out to the field for 2-3 weeks straight and then having to come back to the city and perform office duties. An occasional weekday off here and there and weekends off of course (only when I'm working in the city).

I could live on the gold coast or sunny coast for two weeks straight. It'd be a dream.

So much shit I can do on two weeks off in Australia. Go to Asia. Go to Fiji. Go to Sydney. Go to Melbourne. Road trip down from Cairns to Brisbane. Take an outback trip in the NT. Go to ****ing New Zealand. Go to Japan. ****ing christ...

O&G is easy...12 hour days (including driving) while someone does you laundry and cooks you food and you get at least 8 hours of sleep a night if you don't **** off watching TV. I read books. I love working in the field in Australia...it's so much more civilized than America.

[masonanddixon]

destroy??? they sign a treaty at the start that clearly states that once the operation is over they must return the land to its original state they had 500million dollar tanks that clean the water and stuff where i was working. plus the wealth of australia is built mostly on the mining industry.

It's far more complicated than that. It's pretty obvious what shit like fracking does to the environment. Mining is basically a short term investment that ruins the country in the long term. This is what people like Ball Status don't understand. The same shit going down in the Kimberleys. Mining is nice if you're fairly low IQ and don't really understand the implications of the actions, but it's essentially a raping of the earth. Also, they shouldn't be making any more than $20-25 per hr. I am a doctor here and it's absolutely disgusting that a miner can be allowed to make more money than myself.

[Balla_Status]

It's far more complicated than that. It's pretty obvious what shit like fracking does to the environment. Mining is basically a short term investment that ruins the country in the long term. This is what people like Ball Status don't understand. The same shit going down in the Kimberleys. Mining is nice if you're fairly low IQ and don't really understand the implications of the actions, but it's essentially a raping of the earth. Also, they shouldn't be making any more than $20-25 per hr. I am a doctor here and it's absolutely disgusting that a miner can be allowed to make more money than myself.

You're absolutely full of yourself buddy. Energy runs everything. Come off your pedestal. That last sentence really showed your true colors.

If its so obvious then why can you never explain exactly what fracking is? You're just listening to propaganda and continue to be ignorant and uneducated.

[outbreak]

That's a slight exaggeration. If you're working underground as a driller, then sure, it is very hard and taxing. However most of the jobs on the mines these days are for truck drivers, electricians, receptionists, admin etc. These jobs are no harder than the ones you get in the big cities, the only difference being the 12 hour shifts and the isolation. But on the other hand the salary you make for these simple jobs can be over $120 000 a year (on a 1 and 1 roster). If you do a 4 and 1 roster then you can make over $200 000 a year. Take into consideration that when they're up on these mines they are also given free accommodation and food and isn't really that bad. Youre basically wasting no money on expences for at least half a year if youre on a 1 on 1 roster.

Im not sure what your friend means by "there was no job stability". That doesnt make any sense. All mining companies have contracts with the government, the land owners, and their staff. You usually sign up with a company for a particular project which usually lasts at least 3 months (If not years). Only way you can really lose a job is if you're incompetent and don't follow the strict safety regulations. There are however people who have contracts with recruitment agencies instead of the actual mining companies. They're usually laborers who are sent out to jobs called "shutdowns". Shutdowns are when the project is near completion, and they need workers to clean up the site. These jobs usually last like 2 weeks or so and are not guaranteed.

The accommodation is also fairly good. Most sites have their own bars, gyms, swimming pools etc. The only sites that are "dry" (ie. Alcohol free) are usually on the oil rigs in the middle of the ocean. There are also many educated people who are on the mines these days as well. Engineers especially. Im planning on using my degree to get a job up there at the turn of the year. Im hoping for a 2 and 1 roster with a nice office.

This isnt the Californian goldrush of the 1850s. Things have changed alot.

He is a geologist and used to go to newly cut areas to work out if it's worth doing anything there. He had his own place and with the stability he said a lot of people were living contract to contract after moving their permanently like he had. He said people were being let go constantly and replaced by other constantly. There was no alcohol allowed while in a working period. Pay was very good though.

[masonanddixon]

You're absolutely full of yourself buddy. Energy runs everything. Come off your pedestal. That last sentence really showed your true colors.

If its so obvious then why can you never explain exactly what fracking is? You're just listening to propaganda and continue to be ignorant and uneducated.

Everyone knows what fracking is. The used chemicals (namely benzene) to release the natural resources that are toxic to the environment and destroy the land. There's evidence is places like West Virigina after what happens when fracking is allowed.

And whats wrong with the second sentence? Most miners have a double digit IQ and in every other country are paid minimum wage or close to it, and deservedly so. They have no business making 6 figures and being up homes and property they don't deserve. As soon as Campbell Newman gets his ass kicked out of power forever, the Greens/next party in power will tax the hell out of the mining industry and none of you clowns will make anything, which is how it should be,

[Balla_Status]

Everyone knows what fracking is. The used chemicals (namely benzene) to release the natural resources that are toxic to the environment and destroy the land. There's evidence is places like West Virigina after what happens when fracking is allowed.

And whats wrong with the second sentence? Most miners have a double digit IQ and in every other country are paid minimum wage or close to it, and deservedly so. They have no business making 6 figures and being up homes and property they don't deserve. As soon as Campbell Newman gets his ass kicked out of power forever, the Greens/next party in power will tax the hell out of the mining industry and none of you clowns will make anything, which is how it should be,

Yet time and time again I am asked what it's about and have to dispel myths and rumors put out by uneducated media outlets. Regular citizens read these uneducated and slanted media reports (like you) and continue to believe the myths and rumors.

You say you know what fracking is yet you really have no idea and cannot adequately explain it after being repeatedly asked to do so on this site. What happened in West Virginia?

I'm not in the mining industry. The fact that you continue to lump industries together lets me know that you don't know what you're talking about.

It's disconcerting that a supposed doctor can be this obtuse.

Feel free to stop using any power or vehicles that are powered by fossil fuels at anytime.

[masonanddixon]

Re: coal seam gas

Pilliga forest

Tests carried out on soil and water samples from "holding ponds and spill sites" in the Pilliga forest in New South Wales have shown "elevated levels of chloride and barium" and some "were so saline that they could have killed any plants and animals that came into sustained contact with them " and "would kill any animals that depended on it for drinking". There have been reports of kangaroos, frogs, "wallabies, goannas, turtles" dying either from drowning because of inadequate fencing, or from being poisoned by drinking the produced water.[10]

In 2012 Eastern Star Gas was fined for "discharging polluted water containing high levels of salt into Bohena Creek" in the Pilliga Scrub.[11] There were "16 spills or leaks of contaminated water" including "serious spills of saline water into woodland and a creek."[12] One of these spills "killed off large numbers of trees."[10] The site was sold to Santos and in 2011 the NSW EPA "issued a Formal Warning... for a discharge... that contained elevated levels of ammonia."[11] The use of evaporation ponds to store drilling water was banned in NSW in 2011.[10] In 2012 a NSW Legislative Council[13] inquiry criticised the use of open holding ponds, recommending that "the NSW Government ban the open storage of produced water."[10][13]


Or is this all media propaganda?

The problem is not only does this sector destroy the environment, its workers are actually getting paid handsomely for the act. The only reason this is allowed to happen right now is because of the neo-liberal government and Prime Minister, but by the next election all the miners will be out of a job (hopefully).

[NZStreetBaller]

Everyone knows what fracking is. The used chemicals (namely benzene) to release the natural resources that are toxic to the environment and destroy the land. There's evidence is places like West Virigina after what happens when fracking is allowed.

And whats wrong with the second sentence? Most miners have a double digit IQ and in every other country are paid minimum wage or close to it, and deservedly so. They have no business making 6 figures and being up homes and property they don't deserve. As soon as Campbell Newman gets his ass kicked out of power forever, the Greens/next party in power will tax the hell out of the mining industry and none of you clowns will make anything, which is how it should be,


you think that everyone in this world gets paid based on their IQ or hard work or education?? then that tells me that you've been taught the same crap that every kid gets taught in school.....

[masonanddixon]

you think that everyone in this world gets paid based on their IQ or hard work or education?? then that tells me that you've been taught the same crap that every kid gets taught in school.....

It's a temporary phenomenon, the incredible pay they are making. It would be like if somehow janitors starting making 6 figures out of the blue. I know some people go into it because they are smart and want the easy money as a launching pad for a better life, but most of the people involved in it are pure shit.

[NZStreetBaller]

It's a temporary phenomenon, the incredible pay they are making. It would be like if somehow janitors starting making 6 figures out of the blue. I know some people go into it because they are smart and want the easy money as a launching pad for a better life, but most of the people involved in it are pure shit.

Some of the work in the mines isnt complicated no. But the janitor theory is ridiculous.... the mining industry pays alot because of the value of the product..... and its been around for a long time. Australian employees will continue to get paid tones as long as the industry is booming there is no reason why they wouldnt get paid that much.

[masonanddixon]

Some of the work in the mines isnt complicated no. But the janitor theory is ridiculous.... the mining industry pays alot because of the value of the product..... and its been around for a long time. Australian employees will continue to get paid tones as long as the industry is booming there is no reason why they wouldnt get paid that much.

They are only getting paid well now due to the relative shortage of supply and the fact the country is being run by neo-liberals. Once Abott and Newman get kicked out of office, the new government will tax the shit out of the industry and wages will go back down.

In every other country, miners are paid around minimum wage and that should be the case here as well.

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

They are only getting paid well now due to the relative shortage of supply and the fact the country is being run by neo-liberals. Once Abott and Newman get kicked out of office, the new government will tax the shit out of the industry and wages will go back down.

In every other country, miners are paid around minimum wage and that should be the case here as well.
i agree with this logic. factories workers around the world, including the usa, should not be getting paid more than $1.50/hour. :rolleyes:

[NZStreetBaller]

They are only getting paid well now due to the relative shortage of supply and the fact the country is being run by neo-liberals. Once Abott and Newman get kicked out of office, the new government will tax the shit out of the industry and wages will go back down.

In every other country, miners are paid around minimum wage and that should be the case here as well.

The emotion your displaying here is jealousy..... if you truely rely on a government to make changes to suit you or bring some kind of fairness to the country then you are no better then those people who expect more money on welfare

[Balla_Status]

Re: coal seam gas

Pilliga forest

Tests carried out on soil and water samples from "holding ponds and spill sites" in the Pilliga forest in New South Wales have shown "elevated levels of chloride and barium" and some "were so saline that they could have killed any plants and animals that came into sustained contact with them " and "would kill any animals that depended on it for drinking". There have been reports of kangaroos, frogs, "wallabies, goannas, turtles" dying either from drowning because of inadequate fencing, or from being poisoned by drinking the produced water.[10]

In 2012 Eastern Star Gas was fined for "discharging polluted water containing high levels of salt into Bohena Creek" in the Pilliga Scrub.[11] There were "16 spills or leaks of contaminated water" including "serious spills of saline water into woodland and a creek."[12] One of these spills "killed off large numbers of trees."[10] The site was sold to Santos and in 2011 the NSW EPA "issued a Formal Warning... for a discharge... that contained elevated levels of ammonia."[11] The use of evaporation ponds to store drilling water was banned in NSW in 2011.[10] In 2012 a NSW Legislative Council[13] inquiry criticised the use of open holding ponds, recommending that "the NSW Government ban the open storage of produced water."[10][13]


Or is this all media propaganda?

The problem is not only does this sector destroy the environment, its workers are actually getting paid handsomely for the act. The only reason this is allowed to happen right now is because of the neo-liberal government and Prime Minister, but by the next election all the miners will be out of a job (hopefully).

No source as usual. And none of what you posted has anything to do with fracking. Try again.

And again, you are thick as or you simply just don't read. COAL SEAM GAS =/= MINING.

[Balla_Status]

The emotion your displaying here is jealousy..... if you truely rely on a government to make changes to suit you or bring some kind of fairness to the country then you are no better then those people who expect more money on welfare

He's jealous as **** and enjoys the comforts of living in a fossil fuel world.

[masonanddixon]

The emotion your displaying here is jealousy..... if you truely rely on a government to make changes to suit you or bring some kind of fairness to the country then you are no better then those people who expect more money on welfare

No it's more that i think the industry should be taxed to hell and the money used for environmental improvements, such as the Reef. Instead the current government is increasingly taxing honest hard working citizens and skimming us on public resources and social resources while the mining clowns have free power to do anything they want with no consequences.

But of course I am not comfortable with the wages they earn here. Why the hell should someone who drives a truck or digs into the earth deserve 6 figures? It's a joke.

[masonanddixon]

Glad to see more people stepping up!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-30/former-wallabies-captain-pocock-arrested-at-coal-mine-protest/5929024

Former Wallabies captain David Pocock arrested at NSW coal mine protest in Leard State Forest

Former Wallabies captain David Pocock was arrested on Sunday after he chained himself to a digger with other activists in a protest against a coal mine being opened in a forest in northern New South Wales.

The Zimbabwe-born 26-year-old - sidelined for the last two years by knee injuries - was among seven local farmers and environmental campaigners in the blockade at the Maules Creek coal mine in the Leard State Forest, near Narrabri.

The ACT Brumbies player was arrested along with a local farmer, the protesters' Leard Forest Alliance said in a statement.

New South Wales Police confirmed the arrest of two men at the mine site where seven protesters locked themselves to an excavator after gaining access late on Saturday.

Pocock said as a young Australian he hoped his involvement in the protest sent a message about the need to move away from reliance on fossil fuels.

"I believe it's time for direct action on climate change, standing together as ordinary Australians to take control of our shared future," he said.

He was also concerned about the impact on local residents.

"This mine is about so much more than climate change," he said.

"This is something that's beginning to impact the community and will have far greater impacts in the future in terms of the water table, the health implications of living next to a coal mine.

"I would be doing this regardless of what career I had.

"It is part of being a human being and taking on the challenges we face as a society. It is about giving back and getting the conversation going."
Site has been target of protests for months

Land clearing recently resumed at the site operated by Whitehaven Coal.

In October, the company was granted approval by the NSW Planning Department to clear land at the site for two-and-a-half months each year under a new Biodiversity Management Plan.

Whitehaven had voluntarily suspended land clearing for several months while the matter was resolved.

The company wants to send its first train of coal from the Maules Creek project to the Port of Newcastle in March next year.

The site has been the target of protests for months. In May, two people were arrested and there was another protest in June.

There was also a protest in Sydney in June which attracted about 200 farmers and environmentalists.

Activists want an inquiry into how the mine won approval from state and national governments.

Mine owners have accused protesters of illegal activity in trying to prevent their workers from going about their lawful activity.

Whitehaven Coal, which is on track to become Australia's biggest independent coal producer in 2015, said its Maules Creek project involved one of the largest coal deposits in Australia and could continue operating for up to 30 years.

The coal miner said it was looking to speed up construction of the Maules Creek coal project so it can start exporting early next year and bolster revenue in the wake of depressed coal prices.

It estimated the construction phase was worth $670 million and said it was one of the most significant investments underway in regional New South Wales.

The company also said when operating at full capacity the mine was expected to employ about 450 people.

ABC/Reuters