The Mining "Boom"
"WA's mining and resources sector has a seemingly insatiable hunger for workers and will require an additional 42,000 people by 2015. And with $96 billion worth of mining & resource projects planned in WA, young workers are confident of long careers ahead of them in the industry" (The Australian, 04/04/08)
For the last few years, the international thirst for Australian minerals and commodities has grown incredibly, pouring many billions of dollars into the national economy. This has given rise to what is now known as the Australian mining "boom".
Demand, emanating primarily from China and India, has driven up the prices of commodoties, motivating mining companies to either expand existing mines or to engage in further "exploration" of Australian soil. This is something which has remained constant even in the face of the recent global economic turmoil. Indeed, as noted recently in The Australian on 21/11/08, "the medium to long-term growth of China and India remains as positive as before ... this Western world-driven financial crisis." The article went on to report a deal between Fortescue Metals and a Chinese Steel mill to increase an existing contract by 2 million tonnes of iron ore. This massive increase in production is just one small fraction of the mining "boom" that has created many mining jobs in Australia.
And the "boom" has only just begun!
In July 2008, The Minerals Council of Australia delivered a discussion paper which predicted "significantly increased demand for labour in the mining sector leading up to 2020". The Council also predicted that the "mining sector will need to employ 86,000 more workers" in addition to the number of workers presently in the mines to achieve the increased demand. Given that many people go the mines for a short period (many just want to save a deposit for a house, for example), this means that many hundreds of thousands of people will be required to work in the Australian mines over the next decade and into the future in order to fill vacancies created by departures and new positions.
This statement was confirmed by the West Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry when it said, in November 2007, that WA alone would need over 400,000 workers in the next decade!
It is, therefore, a plain fact that many thousands of people will be required to work in the Australian mines now, and in the years ahead. These people will earn great money and can look forward to serious financial prosperity into the future. Many of these people will fill unskilled jobs. Many will be international travellers. In truth, nearly anyone can get a job in the mines and can earn great coin whilst they're are there.
Why don't you get involved?
Start by purchasing The Aussie Mining Employment Guide. It will tell you what you need to know; who you need to contact, and the best places to work with a minimum of cost and effort.
It is a fantastic investment in your future!