Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Underground Operator

💰 $ - $

🎯 Role Definition

An Underground Operator is a skilled heavy-equipment and site operations professional responsible for safely operating, monitoring, and maintaining underground mining equipment and infrastructure to achieve production targets while preserving a safe working environment. This role delivers consistent ore production through operation of LHDs, haul trucks, drill rigs, roof bolters and related equipment, performs pre-shift inspections, enforces ground control and ventilation protocols, and documents work to meet regulatory and company standards (MSHA/NIOSH/SHE where applicable). The ideal candidate combines technical competence with a strong safety mindset, clear communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in shift-based, team-driven environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Surface Equipment Operator transitioning to underground operations after site-specific training and certification.
  • General Labourer or Utility Person with site induction and underground ticketing.
  • Apprentice or Graduate Technician completing on-the-job training and supervisory mentoring.

Advancement To:

  • Shift Supervisor / Underground Foreman overseeing multiple crews and coordinating production.
  • Production Coordinator or Mine Operations Coordinator managing short-term planning and KPIs.
  • Mining Technician Lead or Trainer responsible for operator development and competency programs.
  • Specialist roles such as Drill & Blast Technician, Ground Control Specialist, or Equipment Maintenance Lead.

Lateral Moves:

  • Maintenance Technician (mechanical or electrical) focusing on heavy equipment repair.
  • Surface Mining Operator or Haulage Coordinator.
  • Safety Representative / SHE Advisor after additional safety certifications.

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate underground mobile equipment (LHD/load‑haul‑dump machines, underground haul trucks, small articulated dumpers) and stationary units safely and productively to move ore and waste in accordance with mine plans, production schedules, and equipment operating procedures.
  • Perform pre-shift and post-shift inspections of assigned equipment, identify defects or safety issues, complete detailed defect reports, and coordinate with maintenance to ensure timely repairs and return to service.
  • Execute underground development and production tasks (drift forming, ribs and face cleaning, stope preparation) following engineering designs, ground control plans and with strict adherence to quality and safety specifications.
  • Install and maintain ground support systems (roof bolts, cable bolts, mesh, shotcrete) and execute scaling or loose rock removal to control hazards and preserve stable working surfaces for crews and equipment.
  • Operate and support drill rigs (longhole, Jumbo, or small development drills) to carry out drilling patterns used for production or development, ensuring accuracy, penetration rates and adherence to drilling safety procedures.
  • Work with drilling, blasting and shotfiring teams: prepare drill patterns, assist with pre-blast checks, implement barricading/evacuation procedures, and comply with explosive handling regulations under qualified supervision.
  • Monitor ventilation systems and gas detectors, identify elevated gas readings or poor airflow, escalate and remediate ventilation issues by adjusting controls, reporting to ventilation engineers, and implementing mitigation steps to meet regulatory thresholds.
  • Conduct regular gas, water and dust monitoring and maintain detailed logs; initiate immediate isolation procedures if unsafe conditions are detected and liaise with supervisors for corrective action.
  • Load, secure and transport ore to ROM pads or underground crushers using safe loading techniques, optimal machine positioning and communication protocols to maximize cycle times and minimize spillage and equipment wear.
  • Follow established traffic management plans for underground haulage, including right-of-way rules, speed limits, spotter usage, and radio communications to prevent collisions and bottlenecks.
  • Carry out routine maintenance tasks such as greasing, fluid checks, minor adjustments and cleaning to preserve equipment availability, and assist maintenance teams with scheduled preventive maintenance and in-shift repairs.
  • Apply confined space entry procedures, lockout-tagout (LOTO) and permit-to-work systems for all restricted tasks, ensuring all clearances and safety checks are completed before work proceeds.
  • Participate in pre-start safety talks, daily hazard assessments, and toolbox meetings; contribute practical insights and near-miss observations to continuous safety improvement initiatives.
  • Maintain accurate production and equipment records in paper or electronic logbooks, update shift handovers with clear notes on outstanding maintenance, anomalies and production variances for continuity between crews.
  • Respond promptly and effectively to underground emergencies (fires, entrapments, equipment failures) as a trained member of the site’s emergency response team, including first aid, evacuation support and rescue duties as required.
  • Collaborate with geotechnical, mining engineering and supervision teams by reporting ground conditions, face behavior and geology observations that affect mine designs, stope sequencing and risk mitigation.
  • Support grade control activities by sampling, marking ore/waste boundaries, and performing basic assays or coordinating with sampling technicians to maintain ore quality and optimize mill feed.
  • Operate ventilation controls, doors and regulators to maintain target airflow to active headings; document changes and report any abnormal system behavior to ventilation engineers.
  • Use underground communications systems (UHF/VHF radios, leaky feeder systems) and surface-to-underground links correctly for clear, auditable communication and safe coordination of mobile plant movements.
  • Implement environmental controls for spills, runoff and waste management underground by following containment and reporting procedures to protect groundwater and surface environments.
  • Adhere strictly to all legislative and company safety systems (MSHA/NIOSH, regulatory reporting, site SOPs), participate in inspections and audits, and ensure that corrective actions are completed in a timely manner.

Secondary Functions

  • Mentor and onboard junior operators and trainees, delivering hands-on training, competency sign-offs and feedback to build a high-performing and compliant crew.
  • Provide input to short-term production plans and daily task allocations by sharing field observations about ground conditions, equipment limitations and likely production constraints.
  • Assist maintenance and engineering teams during breakdowns by providing operational history, supporting fault replication and facilitating rapid troubleshooting to reduce downtime.
  • Participate in incident investigations and root-cause analyses by contributing firsthand accounts, timeline details and improvement suggestions to prevent recurrence.
  • Recommend continuous improvement ideas for process optimization, equipment utilization and fuel efficiency, and support pilot trials or new equipment trials as a subject matter expert.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Certified operation of underground LHD/load‑haul‑dump machines with demonstrated ability to manage loading cycles, bucket management and bank/face positioning for efficient production.
  • Experience operating underground drilling equipment (longhole, Jumbo, or development drills) including drill setup, pattern execution and basic bit selection.
  • Proficiency with roof bolting and ground support installation techniques (roof bolt installation, torque control, cable bolts, mesh and shotcrete application oversight).
  • Strong knowledge of underground ventilation principles, use of multi-gas detectors, and ability to act on readings (CO, CH4, O2, NOx) to maintain safe working atmospheres.
  • Competence with underground haulage rules, traffic management, reversing systems, proximity detection systems and hauling ergonomics to minimize collision risk.
  • Mechanical troubleshooting skills for common equipment faults, conducting pre-shift equipment inspections and completing defect reports that enable timely maintenance response.
  • Familiarity with permit-to-work systems, LOTO procedures, confined space entry protocols and regulatory compliance (site-specific standards, MSHA/NIOSH where applicable).
  • Experience with basic mining software and reporting tools (electronic logbooks, production trackers, fleet management/telemetry systems or site SCADA interfaces).
  • Skilled in emergency response procedures, mine rescue basics and first aid/CPR with ability to perform under high-stress, time-critical conditions.
  • Knowledge of drilling and blasting coordination and safety, including pre-blast checks, blast exclusion zones and safe re-entry protocols (shotfirer duties only if certified).
  • Ability to perform grade control sampling, record geological observations and follow chain-of-custody procedures for ore/waste delineation.
  • Hands-on capability to complete routine maintenance tasks (fluid top-ups, lubrication, filter changes) and support mechanics during complex repairs.

Soft Skills

  • Safety-first mindset with the ability to influence peers, stop unsafe work and promote a positive, proactive safety culture underground.
  • Strong verbal and radio communication skills to provide clear, concise instructions and effective handovers between shifts and teams.
  • Situational awareness and sound decision-making under pressure, balancing production demands with safety and compliance obligations.
  • Collaborative team player who builds trust with supervisors, maintenance crews and contractors to deliver shared production targets.
  • Attention to detail in inspections, logbook entries and compliance tasks to support traceability and regulatory reporting.
  • Adaptability and resilience to perform reliably in shift work, variable conditions and remote underground environments.
  • Problem-solving orientation with practical judgement to prioritize tasks, escalate issues appropriately and support continuous improvement.
  • Time management and organizational skills to meet shift targets, maintain equipment readiness and complete required documentation.
  • Coaching and mentoring ability to develop junior staff and contribute to competency-based training programs.
  • Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams across site operations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED; demonstrated competency in heavy equipment operation and completion of site induction and underground ticketing programs.

Preferred Education:

  • Trade certificate or diploma in Heavy Equipment Operation, Mining Technology, Mechanical or Electrical trades.
  • Site-specific underground operator certificates, accredited training in roof bolting, drilling or blasting (where applicable), and recognized safety certifications (First Aid, Confined Space, Breathing Apparatus).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mining Engineering Technology
  • Heavy Equipment Operation / Diesel Mechanics
  • Mechanical or Electrical Trades
  • Geotechnical or Geological Technician programs

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on underground experience; 0–2 years acceptable for trainee/apprentice roles with strong site training.

Preferred: 3+ years of underground mining experience operating LHDs, development drills or bolters, experience with underground haulage and demonstrated familiarity with ventilation and ground control practices. Previous shift work, emergency response participation, and documented competency sign-offs for core equipment are highly desirable.

Explore More Careers