Diamond Drilling in Australia: Where are the Drillings Jobs?
Diamond drilling is a critical method in the mining industry, allowing companies to extract precise core samples from deep underground.
By using diamond-tipped drill bits, mining companies can efficiently assess the quality and viability of mineral deposits. Australia, with its vast reserves of gold, copper, iron ore and nickel, relies heavily on diamond drilling to sustain its mining operations.
This article explores the techniques and applications of diamond drilling in Australia and highlights career opportunities, including jobs at industry leaders like Barminco.
What is Diamond Drilling?
Diamond drilling involves using a rotating drill bit, embedded with industrial-grade diamonds, to bore through hard rock. The process results in a cylindrical core sample that geologists use to analyse the underlying rock structure and mineral content.
The primary advantage of diamond drilling is its ability to retrieve intact core samples, which offer invaluable geological insights compared to other drilling methods like reverse circulation (RC) drilling.
Diamond drilling is highly precise, making it the preferred method for deep drilling projects, particularly in regions where understanding the rock formations is essential for determining the economic feasibility of a mining project.
Diamond Drilling Techniques
Surface Diamond Drilling
Used for exploration projects, surface diamond drilling helps mining companies explore mineral deposits from the surface. Rigs can drill to depths exceeding 1,000 meters. Surface drilling is especially prominent in regions like the Pilbara (Western Australia) for iron ore exploration and Mount Isa (Queensland) for copper and zinc.
Underground Diamond Drilling
Deployed in active mines, underground diamond drilling is crucial for further exploration and resource definition. It helps miners map out ore bodies and plan extraction strategies. Underground drilling is commonly used in established mining operations such as Telfer Mine (Western Australia) for gold and Olympic Dam (South Australia) for copper, uranium, and gold.
Applications of Diamond Drilling in Australia
Australia’s rich mineral landscape makes diamond drilling an essential tool in the following areas:
Mineral Exploration
Diamond drilling is widely used in mineral-rich regions like the Goldfields of Western Australia and Roxby Downs (South Australia). This method allows mining companies to gather detailed data on mineral deposits, providing a clear picture of the ore’s quality, size, and accessibility.
Mining Operations
Active mine sites such as Kalgoorlie Super Pit (Western Australia) and Cadia Valley (New South Wales) rely on diamond drilling to expand their operations and extract minerals efficiently. Underground diamond drilling ensures that companies can continue mining deeper into their deposits while maintaining safety and productivity.
Geotechnical and Infrastructure Projects
Beyond mining, diamond drilling is used for assessing geological stability in large construction projects. This helps ensure that the ground is suitable for infrastructure development, such as tunnels, roads and bridges.
Major Diamond Drilling Projects in Australia
Several prominent mining sites in Australia use diamond drilling to uncover and assess valuable mineral resources:
Boddington Gold Mine (Western Australia)
One of the largest gold mines in Australia, Boddington uses diamond drilling to explore deep ore bodies and increase gold production.
Prominent Hill (South Australia)
Operated by OZ Minerals, this site is known for its copper and gold reserves. Diamond drilling plays a crucial role in expanding the mine’s potential.
Fosterville Mine (Victoria)
A high-grade, low-cost underground gold mine, Fosterville heavily relies on diamond drilling to maintain and grow its production output.
Career Opportunities in Diamond Drilling
Australia’s booming mining sector offers a wide range of career opportunities for individuals interested in diamond drilling. Companies such as Barminco, a global leader in underground mining services, offer excellent career prospects across various drilling and support roles. From exploration to production, the demand for skilled workers is strong, particularly in remote mining regions like the Pilbara, Kalgoorlie and Mount Isa.
Common Job Roles in Diamond Drilling
Diamond Driller
Drillers operate the machinery that extracts core samples from the earth. They are responsible for setting up drilling rigs, monitoring drilling conditions, and ensuring that operations are safe and efficient.
Driller’s Offsider
This is an entry-level role that provides hands-on experience and training. Drillers Offsiders assist with equipment setup, sample collection, and routine maintenance tasks. Many drilling companies, including Barminco, offer training programs that allow offsiders to progress to more advanced roles over time.
Geologist
Geologists work closely with diamond drillers, analyzing core samples to assess the quality and structure of mineral deposits. Geologists are essential in both exploration projects and established mines like Telfer and Cadia Valley, where precise geological data is crucial for planning mining operations.
Field Supervisor
Field supervisors oversee the diamond drilling operations on-site, ensuring everything runs smoothly. They are responsible for crew management, safety compliance, and operational efficiency. Supervisors are often found working at large mine sites like Boddington and Mount Isa.
Maintenance Technician
Drilling rigs are complex machines, and maintenance technicians ensure that they are kept in optimal working condition. Their expertise is crucial to avoid downtime and maintain productivity in high-demand mining operations.
Qualifications and Skills Required
To work in the diamond drilling industry, several qualifications are necessary:
- Construction White Card: This is mandatory for anyone working on mine and construction sites.
- Certifications in Drilling Operations: Courses such as Certificate II or III in Drilling Operations provide essential skills for those looking to become drillers or offsiders.
- High-Risk Work Licenses: Operators of heavy machinery require licenses specific to their state.
- Safety Training: Safety is paramount in mining, so certifications in first aid, WHS and mine safety inductions are essential.
Careers with Barminco
Barminco is one of the world’s largest underground mining services companies and a leader in diamond drilling. With operations across major Australian mining regions such as Kalgoorlie, the Pilbara and Mount Isa, Barminco offers a range of positions from entry-level offsider roles to more advanced positions like driller, geologist and field supervisor.
Barminco’s career pathways provide ongoing training and development, making them an ideal employer for those looking to start or advance their career in mining. For those interested in exploration drilling, Barminco also offers positions at international sites, providing global experience in addition to Australian projects.
Where to Find Drilling Jobs
The demand for skilled workers in diamond drilling is strong across Australia’s mining regions. Here’s where to find job opportunities:
- Barminco: As a leading provider of mining services, Barminco frequently hires for diamond drilling roles. Check out their openings on their careers page.
- Mining Companies: Major operators like Rio Tinto, BHP, and Newcrest Mining offer roles in diamond drilling as part of their exploration and mining projects.
- Job Boards: Websites like SEEK, Indeed and industry-specific boards such as Mining People International list the latest diamond drilling jobs across Australia.
Conclusion
Diamond drilling is essential to Australia’s thriving mining industry, providing the data and precision needed for mineral exploration and extraction. From surface to underground drilling, the method is used in top mining regions such as Kalgoorlie, Mount Isa and Olympic Dam, where rich mineral resources lie deep underground.
For those pursuing a career in mining, diamond drilling offers a variety of exciting and rewarding roles. Whether starting out as a driller’s offsider or advancing to a drilling supervisor, companies like Barminco provide structured career paths and training opportunities.
With the strong demand for skilled workers and the opportunity to work in some of the world’s most significant mining sites, a career in diamond drilling can offer both professional growth and adventure.