Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators

Mine Cutting or Channeling Machine Operator

Life As a Mine Cutting or Channeling Machine Operator

Example of Mine Cutting or Channeling Machine Operator Job 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.

Daily Life Of a Mine Cutting or Channeling Machine Operator

• Move planer levers to control and adjust the movement of equipment, the speed, height, and depth of cuts, and to rotate swivel cutting booms.
• Signal crew members to adjust the speed of equipment to the rate of installation of roof supports, and to adjust the speed of conveyors to the volume of coal.
• Charge and set off explosives in blasting holes.
• Move controls to start and position drill cutters or torches and advance tools into mines or quarry faces to complete horizontal or vertical cuts.
• Observe indicator lights and gauges, and listen to machine operation to detect binding or stoppage of tools or other equipment problems.
• Signal that machine plow blades are properly positioned, using electronic buzzers or two-way radios.

Things a Mine Cutting or Channeling Machine Operator Should Know How to Do

These are the skills Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators say are the most useful in their careers:

Operation Monitoring
:
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Critical Thinking
:
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

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.

Operation and Control
:
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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.

Other Mine Cutting or Channeling Machine Operator Job Titles

• Underground Heavy Equipment Operator
• Longwall Shearer Operator
• Under Cutter

Are There Job Opportunities for Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators?

There were about 6,100 jobs for Mine Cutting or Channeling Machine Operator in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Mine Cutting or Channeling Machine Operator. The BLS estimates 700 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Mine Cutting or Channeling Machine Operator are Alaska, Missouri, and Texas
. Watch out if you plan on working in Georgia, Illinois, or Virginia
. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators Salary

The salary for Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators ranges between about $28,680 and $74,250 a year.

Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators who work in Wyoming, West Virginia, or Pennsylvania
, make the highest salaries.

Tools & Technologies Used by Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators:

• Microsoft Excel

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