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Continuous Mining Machine Operator

What You Need to Know About 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.

Daily Life Of a Continuous Mining Machine Operator

  • Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
  • Determine locations, boundaries, and depths of holes or channels to be cut.
  • Move controls to start and regulate movement of conveyors and to start and position drill cutters or torches.
  • Move levers to raise and lower hydraulic safety bars supporting roofs above machines until other workers complete framing.
  • Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.
  • Scrape or wash conveyors, using belt scrapers or belt washers, to minimize dust production.

Qualities of a Continuous Mining Machine Operator

When polled, Continuous Mining Machine Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

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.

  • Self-Propelled Mining Machine Operator
  • Equipment Operator
  • Loader Operator
  • Material Equipment Operator
  • Concrete Crusher Loader Operator

Is There Job Demand for Continuous Mining Machine Operators?

In the United States, there were 12,300 jobs for Continuous Mining Machine Operator in 2016. 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.

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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.

What is the Average Salary of a Continuous Mining Machine Operator

Continuous Mining Machine Operators make between $36,310 and $74,800 a year.

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Continuous Mining Machine Operators who work in Wyoming, Alaska, or Montana, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Continuous Mining Machine Operators in different U.S. states.

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

Tools & Technologies Used by Continuous Mining Machine Operators

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Continuous Mining Machine Operators may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Word processing software
  • Minitab

How do I Become a Continuous Mining Machine Operator?

Education needed to be a Continuous Mining Machine Operator:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Continuous Mining Machine Operators Sector

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Below are examples of industries where Continuous Mining Machine Operators work:

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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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