Ore and minerals mined from deep within the Earth’s crust are used every day to manufacture steel, cement, glass, and more. Mining operations workers use machines and equipment to extract these materials in often challenging and potentially risky conditions. Continuous mining machines are self-propelled behemoths that rip coal, ores, rock, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors or into shuttle cars. Mine cutting and channeling machines cut or channel along the face or seams of coal mines and stone quarries to enable materials to be removed from the Earth's surface. Operators ensure these machines run smoothly, stay within safe operating guidelines, and that mining areas are stable and ventilated. They make adjustments to optimize machine operations, and repair equipment as needed. Earth drillers operate a variety of drills to tap water and salt deposits under the Earth’s surface, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. Earth drillers and mine cutting machine operators usually need a high school diploma, while continuous mining machine operator positions typically have no specific education requirements.
What they do:
Operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.
On the job, you would:
Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.
Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
Check the stability of roof and rib support systems before mining face areas.
Engineering and Technology
mechanical
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Safety and Government
law and government
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Controlled Movement
quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
Hand and Finger Use
keep your arm or hand steady
hold or move items with your hands
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
do two or more things at the same time
Hearing and Speech
tell the difference between sounds
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
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