Loading / Moving Machine Operator / Underground Mining

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Coal Hauler Operator; Equipment Operator; Load Haul Dump Operator (LHD Operator); Loader Operator; Loading Machine Operator; Miner Operator; Production Miner; Ram Car Operator; Shuttle Car Operator; Underground Miner

Tasks

• Handle high voltage sources and hang electrical cables.
• Drive loaded shuttle cars to ramps and move controls to discharge loads into mine cars or onto conveyors.
• Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.
• Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.
• Control conveyors that run the entire length of shuttle cars to distribute loads as loading progresses.
• Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.
• Examine roadway and clear obstructions from the path of travel.
• Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.
• Operate levers to move conveyor booms or shovels so that mine contents such as coal, rock, and ore can be placed into cars or onto conveyors.
• Clean, fuel, service, and perform safety checks on all equipment, and repair and replace parts as necessary.
• Clean hoppers, and clean spillage from tracks, walks, driveways, and conveyor decking.
• Oil, lubricate, and adjust conveyors, crushers, and other equipment, using hand tools and lubricating equipment.
• Monitor loading processes to ensure that materials are loaded according to specifications.
• Measure, weigh, or verify levels of rock, gravel, or other excavated material to prevent equipment overloads.
• Replace hydraulic hoses, headlight bulbs, and gathering-arm teeth.

Knowledge

• Mechanical
• Education and Training

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Control Precision
• Multilimb Coordination
• Reaction Time
• Problem Sensitivity
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Rate Control
• Near Vision
• Perceptual Speed
• Selective Attention
• Time Sharing
• Trunk Strength
• Depth Perception
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Visualization
• Extent Flexibility
• Far Vision
• Auditory Attention
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity