Overview
Driller
Driller's Assistant
Mine Manager
Mining Support Worker
Shotfirer or Blaster
Related Jobs or Working
with these Jobs
Overview
- Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers
Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers assemble, position
and operate drilling rigs and mining plant, and detonate explosives to
extract materials from the earth and demolish structures.
ANZSCO ID: 7122
Duties and tasks
- dismantling, moving and reassembling drilling rigs and accessory
plant
- taking samples of ore, liquids and gases and packaging them
- performing minor maintenance and repairs, and lubricating and
cleaning plant
- recording performance details and information obtained from wells,
and keeping logs detailing operations
- operating surface and underground mining plant
- undertaking development work such as opening up new shafts, drives,
air vents, rises and crib rooms
- positioning explosives in bore holes and priming explosives using
detonators and explosive cartridges
- connecting wires, fuses and detonating cords to explosive cartridges
and detonators, and detonating explosives
- monitoring operation of plant and ensuring safety of other workers
on mining sites and during drilling operations
- operating auxiliary plant such as pumps to expel air, water and mud
Education & training requirements
You can work as a Driller, Miner or Shot Firer without formal
qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A Vocational
Education and Training (VET) course in a relevant mining field might be
helpful.
Miners operate equipment to excavate, load and
transport coal, ore, mineral sand and rock, either underground or in
open-cut mines.
Miners
operate heavy machinery and equipment to excavate, extract and transport
ore, coal, rock and other minerals from mines in regional and sometimes
remotes areas. They drill and blast into rock to create tunnels deep
underground or, in the case of open-cut mines, remove top soil and cut into
the earth with bulldozers, drills and explosives. They ensure the mine site
is safe by installing reinforcing, lighting, cabling, pumps and, where
appropriate, air vents.
ANZSCO ID: 712212
Specialisations include: Bogger Operator, Coal Cutter,
Dragline Operator, Opal Miner, Underground Truck Operator
Knowledge, skills and attributes
-
enjoy practical and manual activities
-
aptitude for mechanical equipment operation
-
able to tolerate physically demanding work,
including shiftwork
-
willing to work in accordance with occupational
health and safety rules
-
meet age restrictions, if applicable.
Duties and Tasks
Miners may perform the following tasks:
-
cut drives into the ore body using
specialist equipment
-
extract coal or ore by drilling, blasting or
excavating
-
load ore into mine cars, trucks or conveyors for
transport to the stockpile or mine surface
-
undertake development work such as opening
up new shafts, drives, air vents, rises and crib rooms
-
support the walls and roofs in underground mines
with rock bolts and erect wooden or steel props, pillars and arches
-
install lighting, pumps, cabling and other
equipment to service the mine
-
monitor the operation of plants and ensure the
safety of other workers on mining sites and during drilling operations
-
operate auxiliary plants (such as pumps) to expel
air, water and mud.
Working conditions
Mines are often located in remote areas. Miners and
plant operators may have to work in dusty, hot and noisy conditions.
Many workers are employed at mine sites on a fly-in,
fly-out basis, usually flying from a base location to the mine site, where
they work for a number of weeks and then return to the base location.
Although they work as part of a team, miners
generally work without direct supervision. Miners tend to
work long hours in potentially dangerous conditions. Their work environments
can be cramped, noisy, dirty and dark, though they may work inside
air-conditioned vehicles such as bulldozers. As more mining processes become
automated, miners are increasingly working in control rooms where they
control and monitor mining machinery, which often results in a safer and
more comfortable environment.
Mining operations around Australia have a zero
tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol.
Tools and technologies
Miners use large earthmoving equipment, drilling machinery, boggers
(scooping machines), explosives and specialised rock-cutting equipment to
excavate and extract minerals and rock. Sometimes these machines are used
manually, while others are highly automated and controlled by miner-operated
computers. These workers also use large trucks to transport materials out of
the mine. Since the environment can be hazardous, all miners must wear
protective uniforms that are bright, reflective and cover most of their
skin. They also wear and use other personal protective equipment (PPE)
including, steel-capped boots, hard hats, goggles, gloves, masks, earmuffs
and portable torches.
Education and training/entrance requirements
You can
work as a Miner without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful.
Training is available through VET (Vocational Education and Training). A
course in small mining operations, underground metalliferous mining,
underground coal operations or surface extraction operations might be
helpful.
|