Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

What Does a Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Do?

Operate underground loading or moving machine to load or move coal, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors. Equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Handle high voltage sources and hang electrical cables.
• 2Drive loaded shuttle cars to ramps and move controls to discharge loads into mine cars or onto conveyors.
• 3Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.
• 4Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.
• 5Control conveyors that run the entire length of shuttle cars to distribute loads as loading progresses.
• 6Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.
• 7Examine roadway and clear obstructions from the path of travel.
• 8Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.

Required Skills

• Automated systems software
• Inventory management systems
• Maintenance management software
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Windows
• Mine maintenance software
• Work time accounting software

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining Salary