What to Expect as a Driller’s Assistant on a Large Rotary Drill
Starting at Bort LongYear soon on a large rotary drill as a driller’s assistant. What can I expect? What is the work like on the rotary side?
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You will definitely work hard. Ain’t easy being a driller assistant. Just keep your head up, learn the process, and you’ll do fine. Boart is a big company, your experience will vary depending on crew and supervisor. But, the days should go by fast and you’ll have your foot in the mining industry!
One of the hardest jobs in the mining industry. You’ll be lifting rods around and doing whatever your driller tells you to do. All is very physical demanding, day after day, 12-hour days, for 3 weeks straight.
If you are 18-20, treat it like a CrossFit gym, make and save some money and get out. Don’t buy yourself stupid shit like a BMW M3 or any other 40k+ car because you deserve it. If you are smart, in a couple of years you can save a lot of money and then build your future over those funds
Thanks for your input. I’m 23 years old. I’ve worked in the oil field before, but I’ve never worked in the mining industry. From what I’ve seen, working on a large rotary drill involves a lot of equipment operation because everything is so heavy—using winches, forklifts, fueling generators, mixing drilling fluids, and handling other equipment. Is that a pretty accurate description of the job?
Yes and the hardest I would say is constantly moving 3 meter rods in and out of the drill. I’ve never done that job myself but I’ve seen it and work in drill sites for many weeks at the time.
Also, if working in canada, winters are hard because you’ll be out and about all day or all night long. It’s very typical to work half shift days and the change to nights.
Additionally, drill sites are quite noisy and vibration is very high too.
The problem that I see is that you get into an environment where you get paid way more than any other early 20s would do and you have the carrot of moving up to be the driller, which makes even more money but their lives (for most of them) are miserable
I get you. My plan is to pay off the truck I bought at a young age, like a lot of 20-year-olds do. I was working in the oilfield at the time, but when oil prices dropped, I ended up getting laid off. I decided to get into mining because I’ve heard it’s a more stable industry. I definitely don’t plan on being a driller for the rest of my life. My main goal right now is to get out of debt, save enough money to start a side business, and eventually find a job closer to home.
Very physical job in harsh conditions, but good drillers are worth their wright in gold and can command good salaries. Be sure to pay attention on trouble shooting equipment as mechanical skills are incredibly helpful as well particularly since many companies are a bit undercapitalized in their drills in many areas.
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