Mine manager

Mine managers control, direct, plan and coordinate mining production activities. They have statutory responsibility for safety and are also responsible for environmental impact. They oversee the acquisition, installation, maintenance and storage of mining plant and equipment. They lead and manage according to the organisation’s code of conduct.

The following job titles also refer to mine manager:

plant manager
mining operations manager
facility manager
operations manager
mine engineer
mining engineer
mine operations manager
site manager
resident manager
mine supervisor
quarry manager

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as mine manager. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Mine manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to mine manager.

mine health and safety engineer
quarry manager
mine production manager
mine mechanical engineer
mineral processing engineer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of mine manager. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of mine manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of mine manager.

Impact of geological factors on mining operations: Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.
Mine safety legislation: The laws, regulations and codes of practice relevant to safety in mining operations.
Mining engineering: Fields of engineering relevant to mining operations. Principles, techniques, procedures and equipment used in the extraction of minerals.
Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.

These skills are necessary for the role of mine manager.

Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
Develop health and safety strategies in mining: Develop strategies and procedures to manage health and safety in mining. Make sure procedures conform with national law as a minimum.
Forecast organisational risks: Analyse the operations and actions of a company in order to assess their repercussions, possible risks for the company, and to develop suitable strategies to address these.
Manage mining plant equipment: Oversee the acquisition, installation, maintenance and storage of mining plant equipment.
Ensure compliance with safety legislation: Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.
Interface with anti-mining lobbyists: Communicate with anti-mining lobby in relation to the development of a potential mineral deposit.
Optimise financial performance: Direct and coordinate the organisation’s financial operations and budget activities, in order to optimise financial performance.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Manage emergency procedures: React quickly in case of emergency and set planned emergency procedures in motion.
Oversee mine planning activities: Direct, control and examine mine planning and surveying staff and activities.
Communicate on minerals issues: Communicate on minerals issues with contractors, politicians and public officials.
Ensure mining records are maintained: Ensure production, environmental and technical reporting and recording requirements are met, in order to analyse productivity and to comply with statutory requirements.
Deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances: Strive to achieve objectives despite the pressures arising from unexpected factors outside of your control.
Manage commercial risks: Analyse and evaluate commercial risks and develop suitable strategies to resolve these risks.
Communicate on the environmental impact of mining: Prepare talks, lectures, consultations with stakeholders and public hearings on environmental issues related to mining.
Identify process improvements: Identify possible improvements to operational and financial performance.
Supervise staff: Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
Monitor mine production: Oversee mining production rates in order to estimate operational effectiveness.
Evaluate mine development projects: Evaluate mining methods and procedures, including waste management, life-of-mine plans, production timelines and funds expenditures.
Show social competences: Ability to interact effectively with other people.
Address problems critically: 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 of tackling the situation.
Assess operating cost: Estimate the operating cost in terms of manpower, consumables and maintenance.
Present reports: Display results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.
Think proactively: Take initiatives to come up with improvements.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of mine manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Electrical engineering: Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
Economics: Economic principles and practices, financial and commodity markets, banking and the analysis of financial data.
Geology: Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.
Mechanical engineering: Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
Health and safety hazards underground: The rules and risks affecting health and safety when working underground. 
Chemistry: The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of mine manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Investigate mine accidents: Conduct investigation of mining accidents; identify unsafe working conditions and develop measures for improvement.
Apply transportation management concepts: Apply transport industry management concepts in order to improve transportation processes, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve schedule preparation.
Maintain relationships with stakeholders: Communicate on mineral issues with contractors, politicians and public officials. Promote trust and integrity in order to protect the company’s assets and financial position.
Prepare technical reports: Prepare technical reports that describe results and processes of scientific or technical research, or assess its progress. These reports help researchers to keep up to date with recent findings.
Train mine engineers: Coach junior and graduate mining engineers.

1322 – Mining managers

 

 

---

 

 

References

1. Mine manager – ESCO