Across the Strait: Jeffery’s journey to Callide

We sit down with Senior Short-Term Mining Engineer, Jeffery Burain, who talks us through his mining journey so far; from Papua New Guinea to Mt Isa, and finally Biloela.

As a Senior Mining Engineer, Jeffery assists with mining activities across Trap Gully and Dunn Creek, delivering road designs, interim pit designs and dump designs.

Jeffery also plays a hand in ensuring Callide Mine operations are safe, identifying risks and providing strategic and technical support to optimise operational efficiencies on-site.

Jeffery’s interest in the mining industry began in his hometown of Arawa in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, in Papua New Guinea.

“Growing up in a mining town, with my dad who was a civil engineer, and got converted to a mining engineer, it inspired me to pursue mine engineering,” he said.

After working for Porgera Joint Venture and Ok Tedi in Papua New Guinea earlier in his career, Jeffery relocated to Mount Isa in 2006 with his family.

“I was in Mount Isa until 2007 and then I moved to Western Australia and was there until 2020,” he said.

During the COVID-19 era, Jeffery and his family decided to make the move back to Queensland and chose the small town of Biloela.

“I was originally working at Dawson and living in Biloela, so I heard a lot about Batchfire and its involvement in the community,” Jeffery said.

“So, when a job opportunity arose, I decided to apply and then I started at Batchfire in August 2023. Callide is only 15 km from home and the people I work and interact with are great, which makes it a very positive environment for work.”

Jeffery works in the Technical Services department based from the Callide Admin building and says that his job still excites him.

“My favourite part of the job is working with our tech services team and production team, by contributing and discussing ideas to provide solutions to operational issues,” he said.

“It makes work interesting and when you find a solution to an issue, or achieve what you have planned or designed, it gives everyone involved great satisfaction.”

Beyond his role at Batchfire, Jeffery loves to spend time with his family and enjoys getting to spend the holidays with them.

“I’ve never worked in a mine that closes on Christmas day before I moved to Biloela,” he said.

“I hope this never stops. It’s great for people who work here at Batchfire to spend time with their families on Christmas, which helps them reset and go again in the new year. It is a very inclusive community here at Batchfire and it’s one of the best working environments I have ever been in.”

To find out more about Batchfire you can connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or contact us here.