FIFO Drill and Blast Jobs

Drill and blast is the start of the mining cycle. Drillers put the holes in, charge-up crews load them with explosives, and the shotfirer fires the shot. On open pits it is a surface crew with blast hole rigs and MMU trucks; underground it is jumbos, production drills and charge-up crews working in the headings. Most of this work is done by specialist contractors who hire FIFO.

What employers ask for

Drillers need the RII drilling units and experience on the rig type. Offsiders can start with a manual licence and an HR licence, and it is a genuine entry point into mining. Charge-up operators need a shotfirer's licence or to be working towards one, plus a dangerous goods driver licence for MMU work. Everyone needs the medical and a police check, and explosives roles involve a security clearance under the state explosives regulations.

Who has listed here

Orica has listed underground charge-up operators for South Australia on an 8/6 roster flying from Adelaide. Orica also advertises shotfirers and MMU operators across WA, NSW and Queensland on its own careers site.

Underground roles of every kind are collected on the underground mining page.