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.
This is a specialization of
Extraction WorkersCareer Overview Video
AI Impact Assessment
AI Resilience Score
Score 3/6: low AI task exposure, declining job demand means AI will assist but humans remain essential
How we calculated this:
2% of tasks can be accelerated by AI
-22% projected (2024-2034)
EPOCH score: 13/25
Key Responsibilities
- 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.
- Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.
- Examine roadway and clear obstructions from the path of travel.
- Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.
- Operate levers to move conveyor booms or shovels so that mine contents such as coal, rock, and ore can be placed into cars or onto conveyors.
- Clean, fuel, service, and perform safety checks on all equipment, and repair and replace parts as necessary.
Education & Training
Typical Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Time to Job Ready
0-1 years
Based on Job Zone 2. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.
Technology Skills
Key Abilities
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Find jobs and training programs for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining- Median salary: $64K/year
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Compensation Details
Based on 5,160 employed workers
Also Known As
Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
O*NET Code: 47-5044.00