Mine production manager

Mine production managers coordinate and implement short and medium term mine production schedules and plans, such as drilling, blasting, ore and mineral extraction, and waste management.

The following job titles also refer to mine production manager:

quarry production manager
coordinator of mine production
mining engineer
quarry production engineer
mine supervisor
mining operations manager
resident manager
mine operations manager
mine production engineer

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as mine production 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 production manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

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

mine health and safety engineer
mine ventilation engineer
mine mechanical engineer
mine planning engineer
mine manager

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of mine production 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 production manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of mine production 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 production 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.
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.
Manage heavy equipment: Supervise the operation of heavy-duty equipment. Compute the availability of the equipment. Schedule maintenance periods.
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.
Deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances: Strive to achieve objectives despite the pressures arising from unexpected factors outside of your control.
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.
Use mine planning software: Use specialised software to plan, design and model for mining operations.
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.
Deputise for the mine manager: Deputising for the mine manager in case of absence.
Plan medium to long term objectives: Schedule long term objectives and immediate to short term objectives through effective medium-term planning and reconciliation processes.
Present reports: Display results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.
Monitor mine costs: Monitor total costs of mining activities, projects and required equipment; pursue maximum operational cost efficiency.
Report on production results: Report on production to the hierarchy. Mention a specified set of parameters, such as amount produced and timing, and any issues or unexpected occurrences.
Think proactively: Take initiatives to come up with improvements.
Manage medium term objectives: Monitor medium term schedules with budget estimations and reconciliation on a quarterly basis.
Advise on mine equipment: Provide advice on mining and equipment for mineral treatment; communicate and collaborate with engineering experts.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of mine production 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.
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. 

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

Design plant waste procedures: Participate in mine tailings and waste dump design and management, as per geotechnical, operational and statutory requirements.
Investigate mine accidents: Conduct investigation of mining accidents; identify unsafe working conditions and develop measures for improvement.
Communicate on minerals issues: Communicate on minerals issues with contractors, politicians and public officials.
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

 

 

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References

1. Mine production manager – ESCO