Surface Mine Plant Operator Drivers & Mobile Plant Operators
SaveWhat Does a Surface Mine Plant Operator Do?
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.
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Impact Of Geological Factors On Mining Operations
Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.
These are common skills for this role, based on a European framework. Requirements vary between jobs, including in the UK. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box - use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Surface Mine Plant Operator
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialImpact Of Geological Factors On Mining Operations knowledge
Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.
Recommended Books
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EssentialExcavation Techniques knowledge
The methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialMechanics knowledge
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.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAddress Problems Critically skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConduct Inter-shift Communication skill
Communicate relevant information about the conditions in the workplace, progress, events, and potential problems to the workers in the next shift.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDeal With Pressure From Unexpected Circumstances skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMake Independent Operating Decisions skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Minor Repairs To Equipment skill
Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialReact To Events In Time-critical Environments skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTroubleshoot skill
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCommunicate Mine Equipment Information skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInspect Heavy Surface Mining Equipment skill
Inspect heavy-duty surface mining machinery and equipment. Identify and report defects and abnormalities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Mining Tools skill
Operate and maintain a wide range of hand-held and powered mining tools and equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 11 displayed)
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OptionalDrive Vehicles skill
Be able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Compliance With Safety Legislation skill
Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Excavator skill
Operate excavators used to dig materials from the surface and load them onto dump trucks.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Bucket Wheel Excavator skill
Operate a bucket wheel excavator, a giant piece of mining machinery that uses a wheel or a chain equipped with buckets to scrape away material from the surface, then load …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Bulldozer skill
Operate a tracked or wheeled bulldozer, a powerful piece of machinery equipped with a shovel-like blade used to move earth, rubble or other material over the ground.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Dragline skill
Use large dragline excavators to remove overburden above coal, lignite, and other minerals. Drag a bucket attached to a line over the surface to collect material and remove it.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Dump Truck skill
Operate articulated or rigid dump trucks used in mining operations for moving overburden or minerals. Apply strong spatial awareness in manipulating these large vehicles.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Front Loader skill
Operate a front loader, a vehicle equipped with a bucket used in mining for performing a wide range of small, quick operations where employing more specialised equipment would not be …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Shotcreter skill
Operate a shotcreter, a mechanised shotcrete spraying system used for ground support applications. Pneumatically project concrete at high velocity through a hose to cover a surface or fill holes for …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Spreader skill
Operate spreaders, used in mining to spread removed overburden over a dump area in an efficient and orderly manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Tractor skill
Operate a tractor, a heavy vehicle designed to deliver high torque at low speeds.
Course recommendations coming soon.