Lavorare in una miniera in Australia: la storia di Ersilia, un’italiana vera

An extreme experience at the extremes of the world . Extreme physically, climatically, professionally, and socially. An incredible test of physical and mental endurance that Ersilia agreed to undergo. Why? For money, of course. Lots of money. But also (and above all!) to prove to herself that she’s strong and ready to do anything to achieve her dreams.

Entering a mine in Australia is like entering another world , a microcosm within the cosmos. In a mining camp, everything is designed to give the impression of being inside a city within a city: there’s almost everything a worker could need for their physical and mental well-being; everything is designed to generate a sense of normality. But here, everything is there except normality. Of course, upon entering the mine, you’ll find many amenities: a gym , a golf course, a tennis court, a soccer field ; in short, everything a worker can enjoy in the little free time they have after work.

Otherwise, nothing is normal, starting with the temperature. There are mornings in the Pilbara Desert, where our Ersilia is on assignment, when the temperature at 7 a.m. is already approaching 40°C, rising to over 50°C during the hottest hours of the day. Can you imagine what it’s like to work in the desert at 50°C?

It’s no coincidence that the mining camp here is called the ” Furnace “; precisely because upon arrival, the sensation is that of being immersed in an oven ; the temperatures are so high that workers are constantly hydrated to avoid collapse or other problems. Ersilia herself, who is particularly concerned about her physical appearance as well as the well-being of her skin, describes on her Instagram profile how hard it is to live in a container where the air conditioning is always on day and night, and it feels like sleeping on a plane.

Her skin feels tight, constantly drying out, the pain increases, as does her psychological distress. Outside, it’s an oven, inside, a thermally and perpetually artificial space. So Ersilia takes refuge in her virtual world, the only anchor of normalcy that still ties her to her old life. From her official Instagram profile, “la tigrata,” she communicates with her followers through videos and live streams; she asks for advice on how to moisturize her skin, which commercial cream to choose from the few available in the desert, and how to apply it to avoid running dry. Ersilia talks in her free time, asking for advice she most likely doesn’t need, yet she continues to do so to maintain her connection with normalcy, in that virtual world that for now remains the only real link to her old life.

But how does a mining site in Australia work?

Generally, the site is divided into two parts: on one side the dormitory ; on the other the drilling field .

Not all mine workers access the drilling field; there are many roles within the field: electricians, excavators, cleaners, and department heads. In short, most workers remain in the citadel area at all times, far from the field and all the noise it can generate. As mentioned, life within the field is well-organized; there’s truly something for everyone.

1. First of all, all workers are provided with a room/container , permanently air-conditioned and equipped with a private bathroom. The room is generally cleaned once a week by cleaners provided directly by the company;
2. As mentioned, the site is designed to make workers’ lives as comfortable as possible. There’s a gym, basketball/soccer/tennis courts, and everything else that can help ensure everyone’s well-being.
3. There’s also a well-stocked lunch room . It’s usually located next to the kitchen, and workers can find all sorts of food and fruit; the kitchen staff also pay particular attention to satisfying the needs of each individual worker.
4. There’s also a shop . Yes, you can go shopping in the camp. Sure, there aren’t luxury boutiques, but you can find everything you need for personal hygiene and well-being (like moisturizer for our Ersilia). They also sell alcohol; but be careful. The rules in the camp are strict; every morning, workers are tested for alcohol, and if someone’s blood alcohol levels are too high, they’re sent straight home.

But let’s get to our Ersilia and entrust her with the story of this experience.

We tell you his story, which is the common story of those who decide to go to work in a mine in Australia.

To tell you Ersilia’s story, we decided to do so by relying directly on her words, through a remote interview (she is currently still in Australia), in which she lays bare her project.

Ersilia, why a mine? Why Australia?

Australia is a choice that comes from afar. I arrived here ten years ago on a temporary invitation, and after countless jobs, I managed to become a resident, and then a citizen. I currently hold dual citizenship, both Italian and Australian. I chose Australia because, in 2013, and still today, Australia is a land of opportunity. It’s a destination for immigrants seeking change.

Why did I choose to work in a mine? I lived in Australia for nine years and took an 18-month break in Europe. Afterward, I returned to Australia to reconnect with the country, and by pure chance, I sent three applications to the major mining companies. Currently, mining is the highest-paying industry, so my choice was driven by purely economic factors. Working in a mine requires enormous sacrifice; it involves working in a remote part of Australia, in the desert—in my case, the Pilbara Desert—to achieve financial goals that wouldn’t be possible so quickly in the city. Obviously, the sacrifice required corresponds to the salary, which is certainly above average. So why mine? For the money.

What is life like in the mine?

Life in the mine is a very unique one, with inflexible hours. Work shifts are 12 hours a day, and the shifts, meaning you’re available on the mine site for two weeks on and one week off. So, I’m a “fly in, fly out” worker; I fly to the Pilbara desert for two weeks and then fly back to Perth. Life is quite restrictive, working from 4:00 AM to 4:00 PM, or alternatively from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM. That’s 12 hours with a one-hour break; the village has a gym, pool, and cafeteria, but ultimately, there’s very little time to dedicate to extracurricular activities. The rest of the time is spent sleeping; the miners sleep, as do everyone else working in the mining village. It’s recommended to sleep at least 7-8 hours because, considering the extreme weather conditions, the level of fatigue is unimaginable and highly detrimental to the human body. The mine is no place for humans; humans, who, as always, force nature, have taken over a geographical area for purely economic reasons. But humans shouldn’t be there.

What work do you do specifically?

I don’t work at the mine site, but in the village, in the camp. I was employed as an all-rounder, with various tasks related to camp maintenance. Currently, I’m in administration, so I welcome and check in the miners who live in the camp. I handle logistics when the miners arrive and need to be settled in the doungas, which are the corrugated iron houses where the miners live for the duration of their shift. Obviously, the accommodations, plus everything related to the accommodation. My role, in short, is a utility role, supporting life in the village.

How much do you work, how much do you sleep, how much do you drink?

Life in the mine is structured and monotonous. Everyone works 12 hours a day, nonstop; there’s no time for socializing; fatigue is intense; the miners and their support staff are exhausted after 12 hours, so there’s only work, work, work.

I work 12 hours a day, every day, for 14 consecutive days, including Saturdays and Sundays. I sleep an average of 7-8 hours a night, and I’m very fortunate because, having a very regular routine and being a healthy person, I also sleep well. I also drink 5 liters of water; living conditions in the mine aren’t exactly standard; the temperature in the summer is a constant 46 degrees Celsius, so hydration is essential; there’s a risk of dehydration and all the related problems that—in extreme cases—can even lead to death. I eat regularly three meals a day in the canteen, light meals, and maximum hydration.

Was this radical choice really necessary?

This radical choice wasn’t necessary; it’s a choice I made consciously. It’s not necessary to go to work in the mine in 2024; for me, it’s a tremendous opportunity for financial growth after spending a year and a half in Italy. I embraced this experience as an opportunity, even knowing the risks I was facing. In any case, working in the mine brings not only financial growth but also tremendous personal growth. I’m grateful right now to be living in the desert, to find myself in certain extreme situations because they test my strength, my perseverance, my will to succeed.

When do you think you’ll be back?

I hope as soon as possible. I’m deeply attached to my homeland, Irpinia. I love all of Italy; my lifestyle is completely European, Italian, and it can never be otherwise despite this temporary change in my life. I can’t predict when, but it will certainly happen, and I hope it happens soon.