Mine to Market March-April 2012 - Mount Isa Mines

Shaun Byrnes’storyOur People“As apprentices we allhave something uniqueto bring to the table, andthis diversity means myworkmates are alwayschallenging me to thinkdifferently – that’s thebest thing about workingat Xstrata.”This year, 34-year-old Shaun Byrnescourageously embarked on a newcareer adventure. Driven by hislove of machines and passion fortinkering with “big boys toys” Mount IsaGolf Clubs’s former Head Greenkeeperenlisted in Xstrata Mount Isa Minesapprenticeship program. For this matureagediesel fitting apprentice, shifting gearsis turning out to be quite the career move.“Starting again from the beginningwhen you’re in your 30’s can be prettyscary, but where else do you get anopportunity to jump on the mining boombandwagon and get paid to receive aqualification that will serve you for life. I’mgrabbing this opportunity with both handsand not letting go!”I’m the kind of person that loves theoutdoors and doing something thatchallenges me every day. The miningindustry appealed to me because it’salways changing, and to succeed in thisindustry you have to be able to thinkcreatively to find simple solutions tocomplex problems. Plus, the size andscope of the machines are beyondanything a diesel fitter would encounter inany other industry!I worked with a lot of machinerythrough my job at the golf club, so I knewthe basics of engine mechanics and howto use different types of manual tools. It’sgoing to be awesome working on the fleetof mega-machines we have, especiallydown in the Black Star Pit. I’m dying toget my hands dirty working on one ofour 200 tonne CAT dump truck engines.I’ve even heard talk of a Leibherr R9800excavator floating around one of Xstrata’slocal operations; two 1,492 kilowatt, 2000horse power V16 engines moving over 800tonnes of metal. That’s my idea of heaven.When I finish I want to start out in theworkshops doing rebuilds, and then I’dlove to experience working underground.It doesn’t matter how old you are, howmuch experience you have or whetheryou’re a man or a woman. As apprenticeswe all have something unique to bringto the table, and this diversity means myworkmates are always challenging me tothink differently – that’s the best thinkabout working at Xstrata.”22mine to market