Life As a Continuous Mining Machine Operator
Job Description & Duties 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 or into shuttle cars in a continuous operation.
Continuous Mining Machine Operator Responsibilities
- Guide and assist crews laying track and resetting supports and blocking.
- Drive machines into position at working faces.
- Check the stability of roof and rib support systems before mining face areas.
- Scrape or wash conveyors, using belt scrapers or belt washers, to minimize dust production.
- Apply new technologies developed to minimize the environmental impact of coal mining.
- Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Continuous Mining Machine Operator?
Below is a list of the skills most Continuous Mining Machine Operators say are important on the job.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Types of Continuous Mining Machine Operator
- Material Equipment Operator
- Crusher Plant Operator
- Excavator Operator
- Continuous Mining Machine Contract Miner
- Miner
What Kind of Continuous Mining Machine Operator Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 12,300 jobs in the United States for Continuous Mining Machine Operator. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Continuous Mining Machine Operator. The BLS estimates 1,400 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Continuous Mining Machine Operator are Texas, Missouri, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Georgia, Kentucky, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Continuous Mining Machine Operator Average Salary
Continuous Mining Machine Operators make between $36,310 and $74,800 a year.
Continuous Mining Machine Operators who work in Wyoming, Alaska, or Montana, make the highest salaries.
How much do Continuous Mining Machine Operators make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $69,080 |
| Arizona | $47,920 |
| Arkansas | $39,670 |
| California | $47,490 |
| Colorado | $60,910 |
| Florida | $49,980 |
| Georgia | $45,830 |
| Idaho | $60,040 |
| Illinois | $59,040 |
| Indiana | $54,610 |
| Iowa | $41,030 |
| Kentucky | $50,180 |
| Maryland | $37,870 |
| Michigan | $42,850 |
| Missouri | $44,670 |
| Montana | $70,310 |
| Nevada | $62,290 |
| New Mexico | $61,400 |
| New York | $45,740 |
| North Carolina | $47,330 |
| Oklahoma | $34,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,500 |
| South Carolina | $50,090 |
| South Dakota | $41,110 |
| Texas | $36,900 |
| Virginia | $47,030 |
| Washington | $46,810 |
| West Virginia | $54,660 |
| Wisconsin | $45,450 |
| Wyoming | $78,210 |
What Tools & Technology do Continuous Mining Machine Operators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Continuous Mining Machine Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Word processing software
- Minitab
How do I Become a Continuous Mining Machine Operator?
What education is needed to be a Continuous Mining Machine Operator?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Continuous Mining Machine Operator?
Where Continuous Mining Machine Operators Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Continuous Mining Machine Operators employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Continuous Mining Machine Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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