Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Construction & Extraction
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-5044
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Automated systems software, Bucket belt conveyors, Cable drawn scrapers, Cap lamps, Channel lock pliers, Claw hammers, Cleaning scrapers, Conveyor belt systems

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
• Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
• Continuous Mining Machine Operators
• Hoist and Winch Operators
• Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
• Crane and Tower Operators
• Pile Driver Operators

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.