Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators
Operate machinery such as longwall shears, plows, and cutting machines to cut or channel along the face or seams of coal mines, stone quarries, or other mining surfaces to facilitate blasting, separating, or removing minerals or materials from mines or from the Earth's surface. Includes shale planers.
- Overview
- Tasks
- Skills
Median Annual Wage: $50,260
Education: High school diploma or equivalent (60%); Less than high school diploma (27%); Some college, no degree (7%)
Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)
Related Job Titles: Miner Operator; Coal Miner; Underground Miner; Longwall Shearer Operator; Shear Operator; Bore Miner Operator; Shearer Operator; Underground Heavy Equipment Operator
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators.
- Reposition machines and move controls to make additional holes or cuts.
- Cut entries between rooms and haulage ways.
- Observe indicator lights and gauges, and listen to machine operation to detect binding or stoppage of tools or other equipment problems.
- Replace worn or broken tools and machine bits and parts, using wrenches, pry bars, and other hand tools, and lubricate machines, using grease guns.
- Press buttons to activate conveyor belts, and push or pull chain handles to regulate conveyor movement so that material can be moved or loaded into dinkey cars or dump trucks.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
- Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators.
