Continuous Mining Machine Operators
SOC Code: 47-5041 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Continuous Mining Machine Operators. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $89,066 | $96,970 | $104,874 | $112,778 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $53,747 | $70,720 | $87,693 | $104,666 |
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $75,754 | $85,342 | $94,952 | $104,541 |
| Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $78,499 | $87,131 | $95,742 | $104,374 |
| Cheyenne, WY | $78,499 | $87,131 | $95,742 | $104,374 |
| Casper, WY | $78,499 | $87,131 | $95,742 | $104,374 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $74,818 | $84,240 | $93,642 | $103,064 |
| Boulder, CO | $56,493 | $69,763 | $83,054 | $96,325 |
| Madison, WI | $82,534 | $86,944 | $91,333 | $95,742 |
| Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $79,934 | $85,155 | $90,355 | $95,576 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.9 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.9 | |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.4 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.2 | |
| Troubleshooting | 3.2 | |
| Repairing | 3.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | |
| Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | 3.9 |
| Production and Processing | 3.7 |
| Law and Government | 3.4 |
| Education and Training | 3.2 |
| English Language | 2.8 |
| Administration and Management | 2.8 |
| Transportation | 2.7 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.7 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 81.3% |
| Some college | 9.6% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 5.1% |
| Less than high school | 4.0% |
Typical Tasks
- Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.
- Determine locations, boundaries, and depths of holes or channels to be cut.
- Reposition machines to make additional holes or cuts.
- Drive machines into position at working faces.
- Move controls to start and regulate movement of conveyors and to start and position drill cutters or torches.
- Observe and listen to equipment operation to detect binding or stoppage of tools or other equipment malfunctions.
- Repair, oil, and adjust machines, and change cutting teeth, using wrenches.
- Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Fleet monitoring system software Hitachi ZXLink Leica Geosystems FMS Minitab Word processing software
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