Hi Waz65
Yeah i realise that its definately experience with being an op, but it might be easier to get a start if the qualifications are not allowing them to get into the maintenance or managment. I haven't seen many ops that weren't extremely experienced so i dunno how you'd go getting a start, but its like that in every role in the mines. Its just an option that not many people think about, everyone just thinks about driving trucks. Being an op isn't that easy either, you gotta know the process back to front, gotta know all about reagents, flotation, milling and chemistry. I didn't mean to make it sound simple, its just that there is no ticket or trade for it, but i think that might be changing ion the future.

I am a maintenance supervisor overseas running a gold plant and i can't even get a job back home on the tools, its 95% who you know. I have been very lucky. Persistence does pay off. Alot of people can't handle it, or the wife/gf can't handle it. I am not married, no kids and have had alot of relationship trouble because of it.

8-6 or 7-7 is a great roster, more time with the kids and for projects. I too am trying to pay off my rural property.
All the best with it all