What You'll Do

  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • Replace hydraulic hoses, headlight bulbs, and gathering-arm teeth.
  • Stop gathering arms when cars are full.
  • Advance machines to gather material and convey it into cars.
  • Signal workers to move loaded cars.

Essential Skills

Operation and Control 3.38/5
Operations Monitoring 3.25/5
Troubleshooting 3.12/5
Active Listening 3.0/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Equipment Maintenance 3.0/5
Reading Comprehension 2.88/5
Monitoring 2.88/5
Social Perceptiveness 2.88/5
Repairing 2.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Self-Control, Concern for Others, Initiative

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Control Precision 3.75/5
Multilimb Coordination 3.38/5
Reaction Time 3.38/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.25/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.25/5
Manual Dexterity 3.25/5
Rate Control 3.25/5
Near Vision 3.25/5

Technologies & Tools

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

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.05/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.01/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 3.74/5)
  • Concern for Others (High importance: 3.73/5)
  • Initiative (High importance: 3.72/5)

Want to see how YOUR work style matches this career?

Take Free 15-Min Assessment →

How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

Similar Careers to Explore

Boilermakers

100.0% similar profile

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

100.0% similar profile

Tire Builders

100.0% similar profile

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

99.9% similar profile

Pile Driver Operators

99.9% similar profile

Pipelayers

99.9% similar profile

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

99.9% similar profile

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

99.9% similar profile

Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Buggy Driver Buggy Man Buggy Operator Buggy Runner Car Dropper Car Dumper Car Pincher Cart Driver Coal Hauler Operator Coke Loader Continuous Miner Operator Equipment Loader Operator Equipment Operator Front End Loader Operator Joy Loader Joy Loading Machine Operator Joy Operator Load Haul Dump Operator (LHD Operator) Loader Loader Operator Loading Machine Operator Machine Loader Mechanical Shovel Operator Mine Shuttle Car Operator Miner Miner Operator Mobile Bridge Conveyor Operator Monitor Car Operator Muck Hauler Muck Operator Mucker Operator Mucking Machine Operator Pit Loader Operator Plant Loader Operator Production Miner Ram Car Operator Shuttle Buggy Operator Shuttle Car Operator Shuttle Driver Shuttle Officer Shuttle Operator Skid Loader Operator Underground Miner Wheel Loader Operator Yard Loader Yard Loader Operator