Vacation Work over the 2006/07 Break - Birla Mount Gordon

Over the 2006/2007 Christmas break I was given the opportunity to work at Birla Mount Gordon. I was employed for 3 months as a Metallurgical vacation student. The mine itself is a copper mine located 2 and a 1/2 hours drive north of Mount Isa. I was a bit worried at first, I wasn't really sure what it would be like living in a camp out in the middle of nowhere. After I passed the medical examination in Townsville, I was taken to the site on a fly in fly out roster of 14/7. The camp itself was pretty cool. They had a gym, swimming pool, a TV room, and a pub that opened up twice a day for the night and day shift crews.

Over the first few days I was given site inductions for the surface, and an area specific induction of the process plant and laboratory. After all the inductions were complete, I spent the remainder of my first swing learning as much as I could from the plant operators and the metallurgists that kept the plant running everyday. I learnt a lot from these people, and soon had some friends to hang out with after work.

Over the next few swings I spent my time working on projects/surveys in both the grinding and flotation circuits. These involved working with the metallurgists and operators. I was required to select points in the circuit that would provide the necessary information, collection of samples, analysis of samples in the labs, and full analysis of the circuits in report form. I was worried that I wouldn't know what to do, but the metallurgists and operators were very patient and answered any questions I had.

I found the work itself extremely interesting, and loved the lifestyle on site. I actually spent my 18th birthday on site, which was very different to how I had originally planned to spend it. Conveniently there was a Chrissie party on that same night, so I still had fun. As well as working on the surface, I was also given an underground tour! It was amazing! Once you get through the portal there's just miles and miles of underground work, I loved it. If you ever get the chance to go underground, definitely worth having a look!

Below are some pictures from underground, the surface, and even camp.