What's Your FIFO Status? Mining Companies Need Experienced Expats
Posted by Jane Aquien on Wed, Jan 25, 2012 @ 11:41 AM
Mining projects in countries where experienced skilled workers and mining professionals are hard to find necessitate relocation of expat mining workers. Experienced expats who work in the mining industry living abroad are very attractive candidates to mining companies, particularly companies with projects in remote locations. Candidates willing to live on site for extended periods of time will opt for a fly-in/ fly-out (FIFO) schedule.
Working in a FIFO position is a lifestyle choice not suitable to everyone, but those who choose to go this route rarely regret it. Negotiating an attractive package to relocate is but one of the advantages to expat life. Mining projects in remote, off the beaten path locations bring with them adventure, discovery and immersion into the different cultures of the world. Though mining jobs in some countries carry certain risks, the opportunity for travel and to meet extraordinary people out-way the risks involved for many.
FIFO jobs are most attractive to single professionals who can readily accept to be relocated from site to site for remote area operations. The big advantage to FIFO status is the extended time off. While the weeks on site are demanding with long hours and few breaks expats enjoy extended leave with family, friends, or using the time to travel.
FIFO Rosters
Depending on mining companies, rosters can range from 6 weeks on/ 3 weeks off to as much as 12 weeks on/ 3 weeks off. Considering workdays are typically longer than 12 hours and time spent away from creature comforts of home can be long and arduous, expat miners are a special breed of person. Companies that recognize the sacrifice being made by mining professionals who work on FIFO status will frequently offer a business class upgrade to expats flying for 8 or more hours.
Coping abilities must be carefully considered when negotiating a roster that suits your lifestyle. Some mining companies will negotiate living arrangement and FIFO rosters to allow for extended periods at a mine site or shorter stays. Shift work can also be negotiable with some flexibility in day and night shifts.
FIFO Living Conditions
Mining companies invest heavily to provide suitable living conditions to expat miners who might otherwise overlook an opportunity in favor of more comfortable living arrangements. Accommodations with television, a gymnasium, Internet connection and possibly a swimming pool or a movie theater for recreation and relaxation are but some of the perks an expat miner might look for when considering a job in a remote location.
At some sites, rooms are shared- it's yours during your roster and occupied by a colleague when you fly out. Other sites might offer small apartments or even detached housing. Meals are provided and there is usually a small shop where you can buy personal necessities. Alcohol restrictions are often in place out of respect for local culture, however mining companies will regularly request exceptions for expats where drinking will be confined to specific locations on site and/ or to specified hours.
Improved telecommunications and air transport schedules have gone a long way to make FIFO more attractive to mining professionals globally.
FIFO Jobs Beyond Borders
FIFO opportunities are offered worldwide, some with family accommodations and some specifically for single status workers (or expats who are not dissuaded by leaving their families for extended periods of time). FIFO jobs are frequently offered to specialized mining professionals, qualified engineers and skilled workers with added salary incentives to make FIFO rosters more enticing.
FIFO jobs are prevalent in Africa and Latin America and now constitute a major part of the mining opportunities offered in Australia particularly in the western side of the country.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy reports Western Australia will need to fund 33,000 skilled workers by the end of 2012. As much as 90% of the projects popping up across the state including Gorgon Pluto and BHP Billiton’s Pilbara expansion will be offered on a FIFO basis.
The FIFO workforce in Australia’s mining industry make-up 37.5% of the residential landscape, according to 2005 survey report by the Chamber of Minerals. “Fly-in/fly-out will always be part of the industry considering extremely isolated mining sites and projects with a short life-span” Gallop said.
FIFO Benefits
FIFO provisions give mutual benefits to both mining companies and mine workers. The advantages of working for a FIFO position include:
- Travel and living allowances on top of excellent base salaries.
- Choice and flexibility. Global skills shortage in the industry means mining companies are willing to fly mine workers in from just about any location.
- Career progressions are often smooth and seamless when a mining project ends.
