Quarry manager

Description

Quarry managers plan, oversee and coordinate quarry operations. They coordinate extraction, processing and transportation and ensure these processes run smoothly and according to health and safety standards. Quarry managers ensure the successful running of the quarry and implement company strategies and guidelines.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to quarry manager:

quarrying engineer
quarry operations manager
quarry engineer
quarrying industry manager
quarry operations engineer
quarry managers
quarry management expert

Minimum qualifications

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

ISCO skill level

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.

Quarry manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Quarry manager career path

Similar occupations

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

mine manager
mine health and safety engineer
mine planning engineer
mine production manager
mineral processing engineer

Long term prospects

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

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

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

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of quarry manager.

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.
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.
Maintain plans of a mining site: Prepare and maintain surface and underground plans and blueprints of a mining site; carry out surveys and perform risk assessment of potential mining sites.
Optimise financial performance: Direct and coordinate the organisation’s financial operations and budget activities, in order to optimise financial performance.
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.
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.
Inspect mine safety conditions: Inspect mining areas to ensure safe working conditions and equipment.
Monitor mine costs: Monitor total costs of mining activities, projects and required equipment; pursue maximum operational cost efficiency.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

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

Business management principles: Principles governing business management methods such as strategy planning, methods of efficient production, people and resources coordination.
Business analysis: The research field which addresses the identification of business needs and problems and the determination of the solutions that would mitigate or prevent the smooth functioning of a business. Business analysis comprises IT solutions, market challenges, policy development and strategic matters.
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.

Optional skills and competences

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

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.
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.
Investigate mine accidents: Conduct investigation of mining accidents; identify unsafe working conditions and develop measures for improvement.
Train employees in mine safety: Organise mine safety training sessions for workers, supervisors and management.
Liaise with geology professionals: Establish relationships with commercial managers, geologists and petroleum engineers.
Abide by business ethical code of conducts: Conform and follow the ethical code of conducts promoted by companies and businesses at large. Ensure that operations and activities do comply with the code of conduct and ethical operations the supply chain throughout.
Apply transportation management concepts: Apply transport industry management concepts in order to improve transportation processes, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve schedule preparation.
Show social competences: Ability to interact effectively with other people.
Adhere to organisational guidelines: Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
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.
Train mine engineers: Coach junior and graduate mining engineers.
Advise on geology for mineral extraction: Provide advice of the impact of geological factors on the development of mineral production. Take into account factors such as cost, safety, and characteristics of deposits.

ISCO group and title

1322 – Mining managers

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Quarry manager – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022