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Skilled Trades

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

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.

Median salary

$68,860

Typical range

$48k – $83k

Job outlook

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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Typical progression

  1. Junior Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

    Entry / Junior

    $48,310

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

    Established

    $68,860

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

    Senior

    $75,880

Key skills

A typical day

  • 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.

Fields of study

Any field

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