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Mine Cutting & Channeling Machine Operators

Also called: Miner Operator, Longwall Shearer Operator, Shear Operator, Coal Miner

What they do:
Operate machinery such as longwall shears, plows, and cutting machines to cut or channel along the face or seams of coal mines, stone quarries, or other mining surfaces to facilitate blasting, separating, or removing minerals or materials from mines or from the Earth's surface. Includes shale planers.
On the job, you would:
  • Position jacks, timbers, or roof supports, and install casings, in order to prevent cave-ins.
  • Reposition machines and move controls in order to make additional holes or cuts.
  • Cut entries between rooms and haulage-ways.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • mechanical
Safety and Government
  • public safety and security

Skills

Basic Skills
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Controlled Movement
  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
Hand and Finger Use
  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands
Hearing and Speech
  • tell the difference between sounds
  • recognize spoken words
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Self Control
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Persistence

Technology

Examples of the technology used in this career will be available soon.

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma or
some high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$49,090
per year, on average
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs

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See more details at O*NET OnLine about mine cutting and channeling machine operators.