New members are confined to the newbie area until they have a certain number of posts and time on the site. I think it is something like 5 posts and a certain number of hours logged in, can't remember exactly though.
All you need is one post in newbie area and wait 4 hours
Thats the most stupid rule I've ever heard of. Newbies cant answer questions about mining to me.
AND I KNOW CAUSE I AM NEW TO THIS FORUM MYSELF!!