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What Do Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator Do?
Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator Definition Operate underground loading machine to load coal, ore, or rock into shuttle or mine car or onto conveyors. Loading equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.
Life As an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator
- Oil, lubricate, and adjust conveyors, crushers, and other equipment, using hand tools and lubricating equipment.
- Replace hydraulic hoses, headlight bulbs, and gathering-arm teeth.
- Observe and record car numbers, carriers, customers, tonnages, and grades and conditions of material.
- Signal workers to move loaded cars.
- Inspect boarding and locking of open-top box cars and wedging of side-drop and hopper cars to prevent loss of material in transit.
- Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.
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Things an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator Jobs
- Machine Loader
- Load Haul Dump Operator (LHD Operator)
- Skid Loader Operator
- Mucker Operator
- Mechanical Shovel Operator
Is There Going to be Demand for Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators?
In the United States, there were 2,600 jobs for Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator. There will be an estimated 300 positions for Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator per year.
The states with the most job growth for Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator are Idaho, Missouri, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Alabama, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators Make A Lot Of Money?
Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators make between $32,920 and $69,890 a year.
Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators who work in Pennsylvania, Colorado, or West Virginia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $44,080 |
| Colorado | $59,440 |
| Iowa | $38,480 |
| Kentucky | $40,250 |
| Ohio | $41,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,020 |
| Texas | $39,550 |
| Vermont | $38,830 |
| West Virginia | $56,620 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
- Maintenance management software
How to Become an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator
Individuals working as an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator?
Where Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators Are Employed
Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those who work as an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.