Continuous Mining Machine Operators
SOC: 47-5041.00

Description:

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 or into shuttle cars in a continuous operation.

National Salary Information:

Hourly Statistics:

Annual Statistics:

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 wage data.

Employment Projections:

Employment (2014):
12,300 employed

Projected (2024):
11,600 employed

Projected growth (2014-2024)


Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 2014-2024 employment projections external site. "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2014-2024). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Alternate Titles:

  • Concrete Crusher Loader Operator
  • Continuous Miner Operator (CMO)
  • Continuous Mining Machine Coal Miner
  • Continuous Mining Machine Company Miner
  • Continuous Mining Machine Contract Miner
  • Continuous Mining Machine Lode Miner
  • Continuous Mining Machine Operator
  • Crusher Loader Equipment Operator
  • Crusher Loader Operator
  • Crusher Operator
  • Crusher Plant Operator
  • Dozer Operator
  • Excavator Operator
  • Forklift Operator
  • Forklift Wheel Loader
  • Front End Wheel Loader Operator
  • Heavy Equipment Operator
  • Loader Operator
  • Logging Shovel Operator
  • Longwall Foreman
  • Miner
  • Miner Operator
  • Quarry Plant Crusher Operator
  • Self-Propelled Mining Machine Operator
  • Shovel Log Loader Operator
  • Shovel Operator
  • Wheel Loader Operator

    • Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed

    Experience:

    Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.

    Education:

    Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.

    Job Training:

    Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.

    Required Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Mathematics
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Coordination
  • Persuasion
  • Negotiation
  • Instructing
  • Service Orientation
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Operations Analysis
  • Equipment Selection
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting
  • Repairing
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Systems Analysis
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Time Management
  • Management of Personnel Resources

    • Knowledge Used:

  • Administration and Management
  • Clerical
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Production and Processing
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Psychology
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Geography
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • History and Archeology
  • Philosophy and Theology
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Law and Government
  • Telecommunications
  • Communications and Media
  • Transportation

    • Tasks:

  • Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.
  • Determine locations, boundaries, and depths of holes or channels to be cut.
  • Reposition machines to make additional holes or cuts.
  • 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.
  • Observe and listen to equipment operation to detect binding or stoppage of tools or other equipment malfunctions.
  • Repair, oil, and adjust machines, and change cutting teeth, using wrenches.
  • Move levers to raise and lower hydraulic safety bars supporting roofs above machines until other workers complete framing.
  • Install casings to prevent cave-ins.
  • Guide and assist crews laying track and resetting supports and blocking.
  • Apply new technologies developed to minimize the environmental impact of coal mining.
  • Scrape or wash conveyors, using belt scrapers or belt washers, to minimize dust production.

    • Tools & Technology:

  • 15/16 wrenches
  • Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Belt conveyor systems
  • Boom roof bolters
  • Channel lock pliers
  • Continuous miners
  • Continuous mining machine remote controls
  • Grease fittings
  • Grease guns
  • Hammer drills
  • Hydraulic jacks
  • Long handle shovels
  • Measuring tapes
  • Methane monitors
  • Miner's helmets
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Protective ear muffs
  • Safety gloves
  • Safety goggles
  • Self-contained breathing apparatus
  • Shuttle cars
  • Sledgehammers
  • Straight screwdrivers
  • Tracked bulldozers
  • Ventilation systems
  • Fleet monitoring system software
  • Hitachi ZXLink
  • Leica Geosystems FMS

    • construction and extraction

    industry stats

    SOC: 47-0000

    Total Employed: 5,477,820

    Average Annual Salary: $47,580