Australia is on the verge of a high-tech mining boom which will create 20,000 jobs – and they’ll be working from an air-conditioned office in the CITY
- Australia is on the verge of a mining boom thanks to ever-evolving technology
- About 20,000 new jobs have been tipped to be created over the next two years
- Roles require staff to be skilled in remote communication and data analytics
Australia is on the verge of a mining boom thanks to evolving technology that will allow workers to avoid getting their hands dirty in future.
Hundreds of workers have already made the move from the pit to working behind a desk in Western Australia – and about 20,000 more positions have been tipped to be created within the next two years as the technology continues to be developed.
The roles require staff to be skilled in remote communication, data analytics, automation, remote operation and artificial intelligence.
Melissa Battaglia (pictured) is one of multiple workers who have made the transition from working in the mines to sitting behind a computer screen

Hundreds of workers have already made the move from the pit (pictured) to working behind a desk in Western Australia and about 20,000 more positions have been tipped to be created within the next two years as the technology continues to be developed
Those new roles will spell an end to working remotely, with workers instead enjoying the luxury of spending their days in an office.
Typically, fly-in, fly out mining staff work two weeks on and one week off, or they can work eight weeks on with six weeks off.
Melissa Battaglia is one of those workers who has made the transition from working in the mines to sitting behind a computer screen.
She told 9News being home every night and sitting in an air-conditioned room were among the perks of the new gig.
‘It’s a bit lifestyle change, but a good one.’
‘The old traditional working in a mine and living remotely, or only being able to do FIFO (Fly In Fly Out), are in the past, Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Chris Salisbury said.

The roles require staff to be skilled in remote communication, data analytics, automation, remote operation and artificial intelligence
‘A lot of it’s got to do with applications of technology, the use of sensors and robotics, but also the data analytics that links around that as well.’
WA has become a world leader in mining technology and Rio Tinto has been working with TAFE to ensure the next wave of miners have the required skills for those future positions.
Mr Salisbury said those courses would become available to employees and the public as they look to export the skills to other parts of the mining industry across the globe.