Meet the Underground Shiftboss

Andrew Knight is Underground Training’s Lead Resident Underground Shiftboss and has held a WA Underground Shift Supervisors Certificate of Competency since 2007. His competency qualification transitioned in March 2026 to the updated DEMIRS statutory legislation requirements, including the required WHS risk management units in order to maintain his statutory compliance. As one of the original architects behind the Introduction to Underground Mining course series, he has been part of Underground Training since its beginning in 2009, bringing decades of hands‑on underground mining experience to the organisation.

Industry Problem Identified

Through years of managing and training crews, Andrew and several Western Australian Underground Shift Supervisors recognised a consistent issue across the industry: new starters were entering underground mining without a clear understanding of the environment, the work systems, or the expectations placed on them.

This lack of preparedness often led to:

• unrealistic perceptions of underground mining
• difficulty learning both the machinery and the broader mining cycle
• safety risks caused by limited situational awareness
• extremely high turnover rates in entry‑level roles

Andrew believed that if new starters could gain a realistic, detailed understanding of underground mining before arriving on site, they would be far more likely to succeed.

Course Development

With this goal, Andrew helped develop the Introduction to Underground Mining course series — first delivered face‑to‑face in 2013 and later transitioned to a fully online program in 2018. These courses give new starters a “warts‑and‑all” view of underground mining, covering the mining cycle, job expectations, safety systems, and the realities of life underground.

Mining employers across Australia have since used these courses to identify stronger candidates and reduce onboarding challenges.

Career Background

Andrew began his underground mining career in 1994 at age 20. His entry into the industry was unconventional — a chance meeting in a Sydney bar led to an opportunity in Kalgoorlie. He drove across the country, started as a Nipper with Byrnecut at Ora Banda, and never looked back.

Over his 30 years in the industry, Andrew has worked for major underground mining contractors and owners, including:

• Barminco (two stints)
• Byrnecut (two stints)
• Clough
• HWE (Henry Walker Eltin)
• MinePro
• Central Norseman Gold
• Barrick

Underground Roles Held

Andrew’s career has included a full progression through production mining roles:

• Underground Nipper
• Airleg Trainee
• Truck Operator
• Service Crew
• Charge‑Up Crew
• Bogger Operator
• Tele‑Remote Bogger Operator
• Single‑Boom Jumbo Operator
• Underground Shift Supervisor

Media Presence

Across his career, Andrew has also become a recognised voice in the industry, regularly interviewed by newspapers, radio stations, and mining publications. His insights into new‑starter training, industry trends, and underground career pathways have been featured in:

• The West Australian Newspaper (Feb 2026)
• Australian Mining Review (June 2024)
• Triple M Darling Downs (Radio Interview)
• Radio 4RO 990AM (Radio Interview)
• 6PR 882 with Oliver Peterson (multiple interviews)

These interviews highlight Andrew’s commitment to educating new starters and improving industry understanding — reinforcing his role as one of Australia’s most experienced and accessible underground mining mentors.

Why Andrew’s Experience Matters

This depth of practical, real‑world experience allows Andrew to provide new starters with genuine insight into what underground mining involves — not just the tasks, but the culture, expectations, and safety mindset required to thrive.

His knowledge forms the backbone of Underground Training’s course content and continues to guide the organisation’s mission: to prepare new starters for underground mining with clarity, confidence, and realistic expectations.