Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Underground Machine Operator

🎯 Role Definition

The Underground Machine Operator is responsible for safely and efficiently operating heavy mobile and fixed equipment in underground mine environments (e.g., LHDs, jumbos, roof bolters, longhole drills, shuttle cars, continuous miners). This role prioritizes production targets and strict adherence to mine safety and ground control standards while performing routine equipment checks, basic maintenance, and detailed logging of machine performance. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong situational awareness, mechanical aptitude, certified training (MSHA/industry equivalent), and a commitment to collaborative, safety-first operations in confined, ventilated, and geotechnically complex environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Underground Labourer / Utility Person
Surface Heavy Equipment Operator
Mining Apprenticeship / Entry-level Driller

Advancement To:

Shift Supervisor / Chargehand
Mine Foreman or Section Boss
Underground Superintendent / Operations Manager
Training Instructor or Equipment Fleet Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Driller / Jumbo Operator
Roof Bolter / Shotcrete Operator
Mechanical Technician / Diesel Mechanic (underground)
Ventilation Technician / Safety Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate underground mobile and fixed mining equipment (LHD/Load-Haul-Dump, jumbo drills, roof bolters, longhole drills, continuous miners, shuttle cars) in accordance with approved procedures, production schedules, and safety plans to meet daily and weekly tonnage targets.
Perform pre-operational and post-operational inspections on assigned machines, documenting serial numbers, fluid levels, wear items, fault codes, and operational irregularities in electronic or paper equipment logs.
Execute routine preventive maintenance tasks such as greasing, filter checks, hydraulic line inspections, battery checks, and minor adjustments to ensure equipment availability and reduce unplanned downtime.
Identify, report, and where authorized, isolate and tag out defective equipment components; coordinate with maintenance teams to expedite repairs and communicate expected downtime to supervision.
Conduct in-stope operations including drilling, bolting, mucking, scaling, and shotcreting while following approved ground control and roof support plans and ensuring compliance with geological and geotechnical guidance.
Follow detailed blasting exclusion and stand-off procedures when operating in proximity to blast areas; confirm clearance and communicate with blasting crews and supervision before re-entry.
Monitor machine health using onboard diagnostics and telematics where available; escalate repeating faults and systematically log trends to support predictive maintenance and spare parts forecasting.
Use onboard and handheld communications tools (two-way radio, underground mesh systems) to coordinate movements, material handling, and emergency procedures with crew and supervision.
Maintain situational awareness in confined spaces — manage ventilation, dust control, roadway clearance, and water accumulations; apply corrective actions or report to ventilation and ground control teams when hazards are detected.
Execute safe mucking and material handling protocols to load shuttle cars, conveyors, or trucks, optimizing cycle times while preventing spillage, blockages, or overloading.
Set up and use attachment tools (scalers, hydraulic breakers, bucket and forks) safely and correctly; confirm coupling, hydraulic lines, and safety interlocks prior to use.
Perform controlled and documented machine relocation and trailing of services (hoses, cables, power) in accordance with mine travel and traffic management plans.
Assist in establishing temporary services and infrastructure (cable rigs, compressed air lines, ventilation control doors) to support safe equipment operations and production continuity.
Participate in daily pre-shift and post-shift tool-box talks, hazard assessments, and production briefings; actively contribute observations and near-miss reports to improve workplace safety.
Follow environmental, health, and safety regulations including PPE usage, confined space entry protocols, and MSHA/industry-specific requirements; lead by example in promoting a safety culture.
Provide hands-on support during emergency response events (fire, ground fall, entrapment), including executing rescue equipment procedures, evacuation protocols, and equipment shutdown where necessary.
Train and mentor apprentices and new operators on machine operation best practices, safe working techniques, and site-specific procedures; document competency checks and training progress as required.
Collaborate with planning and surveying teams to verify face geometry and drill patterns, ensuring machine positioning and drilling align with grade and design tolerances.
Maintain clean and secure work areas, store tools and equipment properly, and perform housekeeping on machines to reduce fire risk and improve inspection access.
Comply with fatigue management and shift rotation plans, accurately record work hours and machine operation time for payroll, maintenance scheduling, and production reporting.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by providing operator feedback on machine performance, cycle efficiency, ergonomics, and modifications that reduce fuel consumption or improve safety.
Operate and troubleshoot remote-control or tele-remote systems if trained and certified, ensuring adherence to site-specific remote operation procedures and safety interlocks.
Maintain accurate records of material movements, equipment incidents, and production output to enable timely reporting to supervision and mine planning teams.
Enforce and practice sound lockout-tagout procedures when performing mechanical or electrical isolations, and verify isolation with maintenance staff before work begins.
Support environmental management by controlling hydraulic and oil leaks, properly storing hazardous materials, and following spill response protocols.

Secondary Functions

Assist maintenance crews with heavy repairs and parts changeouts as directed, providing operator insight on fault history and operational context for repairs.
Participate in scheduled and ad-hoc equipment reliability meetings, offering operator observations and suggestions to extend mean time between failures (MTBF).
Complete required certification renewals, on-site training modules, and competency assessments; proactively maintain training records and refresher course dates.
Contribute to risk assessments, method statements, and standard operating procedure (SOP) updates with practical operator feedback and incident analysis.
Support inventory control by reporting low-stock spare parts and participating in parts bin audits to minimize equipment downtime.
Help implement digital tools (fleet management, telematics, electronic pre-start apps) and provide input to improve data capture accuracy for operational KPIs.
Backfill adjacent roles on an as-needed basis (e.g., shuttle car operator, utility lead) when trained and competent, to maintain production continuity.
Take part in community and stakeholder awareness programs (site tours, safety days) when requested by management to explain underground operations and safety measures.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified operation of underground LHDs (Load-Haul-Dump), jumbos, roof bolters, longhole and jumbo drills, continuous miners, and shuttle cars — demonstrated safe operational record.
Mechanical troubleshooting: ability to diagnose hydraulic, electrical, and diesel engine faults to identify issues for maintenance teams.
Preventive maintenance skills: greasing, filters, fluid checks, belt adjustments, basic welding/bracket fabrication for minor repairs.
Proficiency with MSHA/industry safety systems, permit-to-work, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and ground control protocols.
Familiarity with telematics and onboard diagnostics systems, fault code interpretation, and basic data logging for machine health analysis.
Competence in rigging and basic hoisting for underground relocation of equipment and attachments in accordance with site rigging standards.
Drilling and bolt installation accuracy: interpreting drill patterns, installation torque requirements, and grout handling for ground control.
Ventilation and environmental awareness: recognize and respond to airflow restrictions, gas detection alarms, and dust suppression needs.
Radio communications, signaling, and underground traffic management adherence to maintain safe machine movements.
Remote operation and automation basics (tele-remote control), where applicable, including safe engagement/disengagement of autonomous modes.

Soft Skills

Strong situational awareness and hazard recognition in dynamic, confined environments.
Clear verbal and written communication with crew, supervision, and maintenance to report issues and coordinate tasks.
Team-oriented mindset with the ability to mentor apprentices and contribute to multi-disciplinary teams.
Problem-solving and decision-making under pressure, especially during equipment failures or safety incidents.
Time management and prioritization to balance production goals with safety and maintenance requirements.
Adaptability to shift work, rotating schedules, and variable underground conditions.
Attention to detail for accurate log entries, pre-start checks, and compliance documentation.
Resilience and emotional composure in emergency and high-stress situations.
Continuous improvement mindset: willingness to identify inefficiencies and propose practical solutions.
Cultural sensitivity and commitment to inclusive, respectful workplace behaviors in diverse crews.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent with documented practical experience in underground operations.

Preferred Education:

Trade certificate, technical diploma, or post-secondary coursework in Mining Technology, Heavy Equipment Operation, Diesel Mechanics, or a related field.
Formal operator training/certification programs (vendor or OEM) for specific equipment types.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mining Technology / Underground Mining
Heavy Equipment Operation
Diesel & Heavy Duty Mechanics
Industrial Trades / Mechanical Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–8+ years operating underground mining equipment; many employers prefer 2–5 years for mid-level operator roles.

Preferred:

Prior underground production experience in hard rock or coal mines with documented safety and production performance.
Valid site certifications such as MSHA Part 46/48 (U.S.) or equivalent jurisdictional mine safety training, First Aid/CPR, and equipment-specific certifications.
Demonstrated record of adherence to ground control, blasting exclusion, and environmental management practices.

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