My friend joined BHP billiton as a fresh graduate and he is getting 3.6+...with benefits 21 days of leaves and paternity leaves of at least 16 weeks ( meaning if his wife has a baby, he get 16 weeks of leaves too ). I am keen to join the mining industry too

Too many people want to join the financial industry. E.g Banks. I think mining industry pay just as gd as them, if not better.