FIFO Processing Plant Jobs

Once the ore leaves the pit it goes through the processing plant: crushing, screening, grinding, flotation or leaching, and out as concentrate or product. The plant runs continuously, so it employs process operators, crushing crews, control room operators and a maintenance team of fitters, boilermakers and electricians, all on FIFO rosters.

What employers ask for

Process operator roles want experience in a mineral processing plant or a similar continuous plant, and the RII processing units. Some sites take people from other process industries, such as food or chemicals, and train them. Control room roles want plant experience plus familiarity with the site's control system. Crushing crews are often run by contractors such as MACA, who hire crusher operators and crushing boilermakers directly. A forklift ticket, confined space and working at heights come up in most listings.

Rosters

Plants run twelve hour shifts on the same rosters as the mine, so 2:1 or 8/6 in WA and 7/7 or 14/7 in Queensland. Plant metallurgists and technical staff sometimes work 8/6 with a mix of site and office time.

Fixed plant maintenance trades are on the fitter page and the boilermaker page.