IMO Not really.

There's wind in Karratha/Dampier but it's tidal, rocky and a short season. Most people work FIFO and live in company accomodation with no personal transport to get to the beach and you get 1 day off a week.

Port Hedland's tidal and not very good, Barrow Island (Gorgon) would be good but your not allowed out of the compound.

Plenty of jobs if your qualified/experienced but it's pretty tough working FIFO hours if you're not used to it

The really keen folks live in Exmouth, Geraldton and down south to make the most of their time off work.

I'm looking for a Civil / Structural Engineer for the AECOM Geraldton office.....

A 100 years ago (feels like it, 1977) I worked for Texada Mines (Lake MacLeod) near Carnarvon, I believe they are still operating. From memory the wind blew it's A off all the time, we used to go to Red Bluff & Coral Bay often camping but gave up trying to put a tent up and slept in the Cruiser.

good thread, the papers say there'll be a huge shortage of qualified mining peeps in Oz in the coming years, so I guess basically anyone could start doing some courses etc now and get themselves into a noice new job a bit further down the track. The money could very well be good enough to compensate for reduced windsurfing time in the short term, keeping in mind all the wonderful toys and trips it can buy later...

Hey, I tried panning for gold on a school trip back in grade 4; this valuable experience should put me in good stead, eh?

firiebob said...

A 100 years ago (feels like it, 1977) I worked for Texada Mines (Lake MacLeod) near Carnarvon, I believe they are still operating. From memory the wind blew it's A off all the time, we used to go to Red Bluff & Coral Bay often camping but gave up trying to put a tent up and slept in the Cruiser.

Rio Tinto owns Lake McLeod (Carnavon). Mines salt from the salt lake.

dinsdale said...
The typical FIFO swing is 2 weeks on 1 week off. There are other rosters but 2/1 is the most common.

It's all about 8 and 6 now (nights). FIFO, meh West Perth

westozwind said...

Eneabba mineral sands mine is no more.
Lives in Leeman (on the coast) and worked there from 93-97.
Iluka (company that shut down Eneabba) in Gero is keeping their plants running with feed stock from Victoria and SA.
Okagee is a double edged sword, probably good for the mid west, devastating for Spot X and Corros

have heard of some possible activity at eneaba,my bro has just moved back there