Profession surface mine plant operator

Surface mine plant operators control heavy-duty equipment such as excavators and dump trucks, often involving a high level of spatial awareness, to excavate, load and transport ore, raw mineral including sand, stone and clay and overburden at quarries and surface mines.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional
• Realistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Excavation techniques

  The methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.

• Impact of geological factors on mining operations

  Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.

• Mechanics

  Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

Skills

• Make independent operating decisions

  Make immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best for a particular situation.

• Operate mining tools

  Operate and maintain a wide range of hand-held and powered mining tools and equipment.

• Communicate mine equipment information

  Communicate transparently and efficiently with mine production management and machine operators. Pass on any relevant information such as outages, efficiency and productivity of the equipment.

• Conduct inter-shift communication

  Communicate relevant information about the conditions in the workplace, progress, events, and potential problems to the workers in the next shift.

• Inspect heavy surface mining equipment

  Inspect heavy-duty surface mining machinery and equipment. Identify and report defects and abnormalities.

• React to events in time-critical environments

  Monitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.

• Troubleshoot

  Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

• Deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances

  Strive to achieve objectives despite the pressures arising from unexpected factors outside of your control.

• Perform minor repairs to equipment

  Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.

• Address problems critically

  Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB