Down Under Down Under: Day 7/8

Today is Sunday, and for my part, it was the laziest Sunday I have had in a long time. Another day stood down, but this time I literally had nothing to do. So, I did a load of washing, watched a couple movies, and read my book. I did go to the gym for an hour (figured I had to get out of the donga for a little bit). I was getting frustrated with it for a little while, then I worked out that this weekend I have earnt more money sitting on my arse then I would normally make in a week. So then I decided to shut my mouth, lay down, and have a sleep.

All the vehicles waiting for the all clear to go down the portal.

Anyway, as I said, Sunday was pretty cruisey. Monday however, well, that's a completely different story...

10L

Not really, it was still just as cruisey, only this time I was back down the mine, and had others to talk to. I have another week of inductions, it's called New Starter. Basically it gives you a hands on to most basic functions of the mine, everything from driving underground (with 1200km of road and some pretty terrible signage its going to take me far more than a week), to operating certain tools, learning to use some machinery and how to safely enter and work in certain areas. The ground is always moving, so even though an area may have been safe to work in yesterday, today could be a different story. You need to learn how to tell what is good and bad, and how to deal with loose rock etc and make an area safe.

10L

So first up we were issued with some basic gear. Hardhat, safety glasses (both tinted and clear), gumboots, miner's belt and pouches, respirator and a water bottle. A 5L water bottle, and even though we didn't do a lot of physical activity today, and we were in aircon a fair bit, I still got pretty close to drinking all 5L. After that we headed down to 10L where the Safety and Training Room was located. Not a bad little area, right next to the underground workshop and store. My guess is that when I am underground it will be around this area as it's where the trades are mostly located.

My mining gear. Cap lamp, miner's belt and Self Rescue.

As I said, pretty easy day, some basic paperwork this morning, followed by driving around looking at parts of the mine and talking to people. Couldn't get much easier I reckon. It's a nice change from the flat chat days I am used to. Not sure if it will last for long so soaking it up while I can. This afternoon I got a locker issued to me for storing my gear in, and was back to camp by 4. This left plenty of time to go to the gym again, get this typed out and next I'll be off to dinner. Pretty hungry so looking forward to that. Got no real interesting facts today, I did make it to 15L however setting a new "deep" record for myself. 15L is 900m! Can't wait to break that 1km mark. I do however have some pretty cool pictures of down the mine which I hope you enjoy.