working conditions
Mining engineers may work in offices, laboratories or on mine sites. Depending on the type of mine, those working on-site may work outside in most weather conditions, or underground in cramped, enclosed spaces.
Mining engineers work in mines all over Western Australia, from the mineral sands mines in Bunbury and the South West, coal mining in Collie, gold mining in Boddington and the Goldfields, to iron ore mining in the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions. Often they must be prepared to live on site away from home or work on a fly-in, fly-out basis, which involves working on site for a period of time and then returning home for a break. Many mine engineers work for large, global companies and may be required to travel overseas for work.