Visiting Daddy at work means an early start, and an early flight...
...it involves site induction, hard hats and protective clothing...
...and a change from the cold, rainy weather in Perth to endless blue skies and dry desert heat, even in the middle of Winter. Words can't really describe what we experienced today. My husband works in arguably the hottest place in Australia, on a mine site that is overwhelming in the sheer size of its operations.
This is the mine shaft from the Underground operations...it delivers rock from 1.2kms under the ground at a rate of 60 kms per hour, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
They call this "the hole" for obvious reasons :) It's the portal which leads to the underground operations, and each person who enters the hole must "tag on", and "tag off" as they leave...at any given time there are over 100 people down "the hole", and apparently the walls glisten with gold. Imagine that for a moment. Visitors are NOT allowed down there...but oh, how I would love to see it!We also toured the open pit, where a steady stream of trucks made their way up and down the slopes, carting rock to the processing mill.
There had been some recent rain, and you could see the sparkle of gold glistening on the rock faces...it really was amazing.
The view from the top of the mine was something to behold!
See that tiny little speck down in the bottom of the pit? That's one of those trucks carting rock...
...and this is one of those very same trucks with my youngest standing in front. The size! Just one of those tyres cost $40 000....I kid you not.
There had been some recent rain, and you could see the sparkle of gold glistening on the rock faces...it really was amazing.
The view from the top of the mine was something to behold!
See that tiny little speck down in the bottom of the pit? That's one of those trucks carting rock...
...and this is one of those very same trucks with my youngest standing in front. The size! Just one of those tyres cost $40 000....I kid you not. I took photos... hundreds of them. As I look at them tonight I am still in awe...of the vastness of the red dirt...of the sheer size of the equipment...of the amount of gold that is extracted on a daily basis...of the "other life" that my husband leads when he is not with us.To experience, just for a day, what he experiences every day that he is at work, was something I will never forget.
TTFN xxx
P.s. Confession...I now have a touch of gold fever. Next stop...Perth Mint! LOL
6 comments:
wow what an adventure for the weekend.......the size and scale amazes me too.........
Looks like an amazing trip - I am sure the little taste of warmer weather was wonderful, as well as seeing the beautiful landscape and learning more about the mine. Your pictures look stunning - love the contrast of the red dirt against the blue sky.
Btw - I just bought a Cricut:)
Wow Suzi, I love your pics!! I am glad you all had a great day!! OMG $4o ooo for a tyre, WOW!!! I understand why visitors are not allowed down the hole, but gee what a shame you could not see that!!
And thanks for the tip on the bows, very much appreciated !!
Oooh yeah those sites look familiar but we are in NSW and the earth is not quite so red and definatley not as hot at the moment!! Although there is lots of talk in this household at the moment re moving to Perth (which of course I know nothing about)! At least I now know who to call upon if I need help. Great pics, thanks...
Oh...Wow! What an amazing adventure you all went on. Thanks for sharing the pics :)
It looks like you had a great day, your photos are fantastic, you got some great snaps to scrapbook. My how tiny Merryn looks next to that HUGE truck. Did Riley have a good day?
xx
PS guess what Lisa purchased
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