Underground Shot Firer / Blaster
$180,000 – $260,000
About the role
Underground Shot Firers are the licensed professionals responsible for the safe design, charging and firing of blast patterns in Australia's underground gold, nickel and base metal mines. It is one of the highest paid frontline mining roles in the country because it sits at the sharp end of production — every metre of advance an underground mine achieves comes from a shot fired safely and accurately by someone in this role. A typical shift begins with checking the previous cycle's face, marking up the pattern, drilling the collars, then charging holes with emulsion or ANFO, wiring detonators, clearing the exclusion zone, firing and finally re-entering to inspect. The work demands precision under pressure, strong communication with jumbo operators and shift bosses, and complete respect for the WA Mines Safety and Inspection Act and the site's Principal Hazard Management Plans. Because the role directly controls one of the most severe hazards on a mine, operators pay well above the average trades rate — six figure base salaries plus site allowances, production bonuses and generous FIFO rosters are standard. Experienced Shot Firers who can also run development crews or step up as Underground Supervisors can push earnings well above $250,000. The shortage of ticketed blast crews across the WA Goldfields, Murchison and Agnew regions means genuine mobility: workers can move between BHP Nickel West, Northern Star, Evolution, Gold Fields and Bellevue with strong bargaining power on roster and rate. Career progression from Nipper to Offsider to Shot Firer typically takes 2–4 years, and from Shot Firer to Charge-Up Supervisor another 2–3. The main downsides are the environment (heat, dust, noise, working night shift in an active heading) and the personal responsibility — a Shot Firer signs off every pattern and is legally accountable for the outcome. For the right person — methodical, safety-obsessed and physically capable — it is one of the fastest paths from a Standard 11 induction to a $200,000+ salary in Australia.
Certificates & qualifications required
- Shot Firer's Permit / Blasting Licence (state-issued, e.g. WA DMIRS)
- Standard 11 Generic Mining Induction
- Underground hard rock induction
- Cert II or III in Underground Metalliferous Mining (RII20120 / RII30120)
- Working at Heights, Confined Space, Gas Test Atmospheres
- Current HR licence and manual driver's licence
- First Aid and Low Voltage Rescue
How to get a job in this field
- Start as an Underground Nipper or Offsider on a development crew — no experience required beyond Standard 11 and a good attitude.
- Work under a licensed Shot Firer for 12–24 months and log the required charge-ups toward your permit.
- Complete Cert II/III Underground Metalliferous Mining and the state Shot Firer's course through a registered RTO.
- Apply for and sit your state Shot Firer's Permit assessment (WA DMIRS is the largest issuer).
- Target underground gold and nickel operators — Northern Star, Evolution, Bellevue, BHP Nickel West, Gold Fields.
- Once ticketed, chase shutdown and development-heavy sites for the highest day rates.
