Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Kye Henderson and I am an Electrician.
When did you start in the mining industry and what was your first job?
After relocating from Townsville, I started in the mining industry about four years ago, working at Dyno Nobels Explosive plant located in Moranbah where I finished the last 2 years of my apprenticeship. This job included scheduled and preventative maintenance on the infrastructure around site and provided housing.
How different is your job now to what you wanted to be when you were a kid?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a chippy. So, I guess I’ve always wanted to be in the trade industry. But I would say the jobs are very different.
What does a usual day at work entail?
A usual day at work for me is completing preventative maintenance, and statuary checks over electrical apparatus to minimise problems throughout the Goonyella Wash plant. These steps include repairing damaged items and troubleshooting Electrical and Instrumentation circuits.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job would have to be the crew that I work along side with and the variety of different situations and jobs in general that I’m allocated too.
The worst thing?
The worst thing would be the long hours in the heat and having wet boots most days.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest challenge would be relocating from Townsville to Moranbah, leaving my friends and family behind.
What’s something about your job that would surprise people to know?
How much planning is actually required to complete most electrical work.
What’s your best advice for people entering the industry?
The mining industry can be daunting and challenging at times, but in brace the culture and opportunities provided.
The mining industry gets more than its fair share of criticism. What is your view of our industry and the impact it has?
I think mining is great it provides so many great opportunities job wise and socially in the surrounding community. Without it there would be people and families without jobs.
