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Continuous Mining Machine Operators

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, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.

What you’d do

  • Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.
  • Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.
  • Check the stability of roof and rib support systems before mining face areas.
  • Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.
  • Drive machines into position at working faces.
  • Move controls to start and regulate movement of conveyors and to start and position drill cutters or torches.
  • Reposition machines to make additional holes or cuts.
  • Determine locations, boundaries, and depths of holes or channels to be cut.

Skills that matter

  • Operation and Control
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Critical Thinking
  • Troubleshooting
  • Judgment and Decision Making

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Continuous Miner Operator (CMO)
  • Continuous Mining Machine Operator
  • Continuous Mining Operator (CMO)
  • Miner Operator
  • Bore Miner Operator
  • Continuous Miner

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