Underground Mining Training Facility the Key to Success
Local mining services company Mastermyne is continuing to provide unique training opportunities for people wanting to get into the underground mining industry, through their specialised training facility Myne Start.
Since the facility was officially opened in October last year, 30 graduates have successfully completed the course and have now gained full time employment with Mastermyne at sites including Moranbah North, Kestrel, Crinum, Oaky No.1 and Oaky North coal mines.
Participants undergo four weeks of specialised underground training in situations that have been set up to replicate underground working conditions. With a focus on instilling a safety culture in trainees, course activities include completing tasks using the actual underground mining equipment they go on to use when on site.
Mastermyne Managing Director, Tony Caruso said the Myne Start complex allows inexperienced underground miners (‘cleanskins’) the opportunity to complete in-depth practical based training to put them on a path to full time work in the mining industry.
“The Myne Start centre is a step in the right direction to addressing the problem of an increase in demand for labour in the mining sector. Our graduates have a far greater understanding of working safely in the underground environment as a result of this training which reduces the risk and makes them more productive sooner.”
A number of Myne Start course graduates have already earned ‘white hat’ status, which means they have progressed to the status where they are able to work unaccompanied.
With the fourth course currently in progress, there are a total of 10 courses planned for 2011. The next two courses are booked out however places are still available in courses scheduled for later this year.
