Mining assistant

Mining assistants perform routine duties in mining and quarrying operations. They assist the miners with maintaining equipment, with laying pipes, cables and tunnels, and with removing waste.

The duties of a mining assistant typically include, but are not limited to:

• Erecting and dismantling scaffolding at a construction site on the mine
• Collecting waste material
• Helping with the laying of pipes and cables
• Doing bricklaying
• Transporting materials and equipment to and from the workplace
• Loading and unloading crates
• Installing, maintaining and dispatching mechanical and electrical machinery under the supervision of trained operators
• Maintaining the premises and gardens of the mine

Like miners, assistant miners are sometimes exposed to demanding working conditions. In deep level underground mining, certain areas of the mine can be humid, cold or hot. The breaking of rock and moving of ore is a noisy operation. Underground workers may be required to work in excavations in which working and environmental conditions range from one extreme to the other.

Miners may specialise according to the type of mine they work in, such as a gold mine, iron mine, platinum mine, asbestos mine, diamond mine or coal mine.

Mining assistants are employed mainly by mining industries, in an underground environment.

No formal educational credential is required to work as a mining assistant. Basic knowledge of numeracy and literacy is required. On-the-job training is usually provided by the employer.

Mining assistants should be in good health, and not afraid of being in dark or enclosed areas.

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.

Mining assistant is a Skill level 1 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to mining assistant.

vending machine operator
drainage worker
street sweeper
rail layer
road marker

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

surface miner
underground miner
mining equipment mechanic
mining electrician
surface mine plant operator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of mining assistant.

• Excavation techniques: The methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.

These skills are necessary for the role of mining assistant.

• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Maintain records of mining operations: Maintain records of mine production and development performance, including performance of machinery.
• Dispose of non-hazardous waste: Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures.
• Clean waste materials from machines: Clean waste materials from machine using the adequate equipment or appliances as to ensure smooth operations, avoid accidents, and maintain clean working place.
• Handle mining plant waste: Make sure mining plant waste is disposed of safely, efficiently, and in an environmentally sound manner.
• 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.
• Perform minor repairs to equipment: Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.
• Conduct inter-shift communication: Communicate relevant information about the conditions in the workplace, progress, events, and potential problems to the workers in the next shift.

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

• Impact of geological factors on mining operations: Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.
• Geology: Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.
• Health and safety hazards underground: The rules and risks affecting health and safety when working underground. 
• Mechanical mine machinery manuals: Comprehend manufacturers’ manuals for the installation and operation of mining machinery. Understand schematic drawings.
• Mechanics: 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.

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

• Drive vehicles: Be able to drive vehicles; have the appropriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.
• Operate mining tools: Operate and maintain a wide range of hand-held and powered mining tools and equipment.
• Lay pipe installation: Install the system of pipes used to transport a fluid, be it a liquid or a gas, from one point to another and connect it to the fuel and water supply lines, air ducts, and other components.
• Operate front loader: 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 efficient.
• Operate tunneling machine: Operate a tunneling machine, a machine with a large rotating steel drum equipped with tungsten carbide teeth that cut material in order to drive underground tunnels or development roadways. Operate the cutting drum and the continuous motion of the machine either remotely or seated on top.
• Maintain mine machinery: Inspect and conduct planned maintenance of mining equipment. Execute routine repairs and replace damaged components. Analyse test results and interpret machine error messages. Undertake maintenance activities such as cleaning and lubricating components.
• Communicate mine equipment information: 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.
• Operate hydraulic pumps: Operate hydraulic pumping systems.
• Report mine machinery repairs: Record repair and maintenance tasks executed on mine machinery.
• Operate drilling equipment: Operate a range of drilling equipment, pneumatic as well as electrical and mechanical. Tend drilling equipment, monitor and operate it, according to regulations. Safely and efficiently drill holes using the correct equipment, settings, and drill bits.
• Operate a range of underground mining equipment: Operate underground mining equipment, such as ventilation and transport systems.

9311 – Mining and quarrying labourers

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References

1. ESCO
2. Jobs, occupations and careers – Miner and Mining Assistant – Go Study
3. Featured image: Photo by Amir Arabshahi on Unsplash