811 Mining and Mineral Processing Plant Operators

Miners and quarriers operate plant, machinery and hand tools to extract rocks, mineral ores and other deposits from underground and surface mines and quarries. Tasks include - (a) positioning, operating and monitoring the performance of a variety of underground and surface mining equipment including continuous mining, cutting and channelling plant; (b) setting up and operating drilling equipment in underground and surface mines and quarries; (c) operating machinery and using hand or power tools to remove loosened rock, ore, coal and other deposits; (d) preparing, fitting and installing supports in underground workings including rock bolts; (e) operating machinery to open new shafts, drives, air vents and rises; (f) operating auxiliary plant such as pumps to expel air, water and mud; (g) performing minor maintenance and repairs and lubricating and cleaning plant, machines and tools; (h) completing records detailing operations completed during shifts; (i) collecting mineral samples for laboratory analysis. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Bogger operator - Continuous miner operator - Dragline operator (mining) - Driller (mining) - Jumbo operator - Miner - Mining plant operator - Quarrier - Roof bolter (mining) Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Mining supervisor - 3121 - Blaster - 7542 - Shotfirer - 7542 - Driller (oil or gas well) - 8113 - Mining labourer - 9311 - Quarry labourer - 9311.

Mineral and stone processing plant operators monitor and operate machinery and equipment for processing rocks, minerals and stone to recover refined products for immediate use or further processing. Tasks include - (a) setting up and operating stationary plant and machinery which grind, crush, cut, saw and slice rocks, minerals and stones according to the specifications for the job; (b) positioning blocks and slabs of stone onto machines for sawing, cutting and further working; (c) monitoring and maintaining the flow of unprocessed rocks, minerals and stones from conveyors into machines; (d) operating washing, separating, leaching, precipitating, filtering, extracting and combining equipment to remove waste material and recover minerals; (e) combining mineral ores with solvents to facilitate further processing; (f) separating metal and mineral concentrates from ore and alluvial deposits by thickening, flotation, gravity separation, filtration, or magnetic and electrostatic separation; (g) observing meters, gauges and control panels, adjusting valves and controls to ensure the safe and efficient operation of equipment, detecting malfunctions and assisting with plant and machinery maintenance and repair; (h) examining processed materials visually or with hands to ensure compliance with established standards and job specifications, and collecting samples for testing in laboratories; (i) recording information about processing completed during shifts, such as quantities, types and dimensions of materials produced; (j) sorting, stacking and moving processed minerals and stone for packaging, further processing or shipping. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Coal washer - Crusher operator (mineral or stone processing) - Flotation worker (mineral processing) - Gold precipitator - Machine operator (stone cutting or processing) - Milling machine operator (minerals) Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Stone cutter (hand or hand-powered tools) - 7113 - Stonemason - 7113 - Stone polisher (hand or hand-powered tools) - 7113 - Stone splitter (hand or hand-powered tools) - 7113 - Machine operator (cast stone production) - 8114 - Stone polishing machine operator - 8114.

Well drillers and borers and related workers position, assemble and operate drilling machinery and related equipment to sink wells, extract rock samples, liquids and gases, or for a variety of other purposes. Tasks include - (a) dismantling, moving and assembling drilling rigs and auxiliary equipment; (b) assembling and dismantling pipes, casings and drill heads, and replacing dysfunctional equipment; (c) operating controls to lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells, regulate pressure in the well and control the speed of tools; (d) preparing drilling fluid and checking the operation of pumps to ensure adequate circulation of fluid in drill pipes and wells; (e) monitoring gauges and other indicators, listening to equipment to detect malfunctions and unusual well conditions, and determining the need to change drilling or equipment; (f) maintaining, adjusting, repairing and cleaning drilling rigs, hoisting and other machinery; (g) maintaining records of drilling and servicing operations; (h) operating machines and tools to extract dust, cuttings and lost and broken drilling equipment from holes and wells; (i) closing and sealing wells no longer in use; (j) supervising and train crew members. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Bore sinker - Boring equipment operator - Derrickman - Derrick operator - Developmental driller - Directional driller - Driller (oil or gas well) - Drilling plant operator - Drilling rig operator - Power-tong operator - Toolpusher - Tourpusher Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Blaster - 7542 - Miner - 8111 - Quarrier - 8111.

Cement, stone and other mineral products machine operators monitor and operate machines for manufacturing and finishing precast concrete, bitumen and stone products, and making cast stone for building purposes. Tasks include - (a) operating extrusion, moulding, mixing, pumping, compacting, grinding and cutting machinery to manufacture and finish precast concrete and stone products; (b) operating plant to produce cement, lime and clinker, including loading and unloading ingredients and operating continuous feed equipment such as pumps and conveyors; (c) operating plant and machines which weigh and mix sand, gravel, cement, water and other ingredients to make concrete; (d) operating plant and machinery which assemble and fill moulds with concrete and artificial stone mixtures, remove castings from moulds and finish surfaces of precast products; (e) cutting, grinding, drilling, sandblasting and polishing concrete products and stone blocks, slabs and products to the specifications for the job; (f) checking production plans and specifications to determine and select materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings and adjustments for extrusion, moulding, mixing and compacting machines; (g) monitoring plant and machines during operation by observing instruments such as temperature and pressure gauges, adjusting controls and reporting malfunctions as necessary; (h) collecting and examining samples of mixtures and finished products for conformity with specifications and adjusting machine settings accordingly; (i) checking and maintaining production records, including information about quantities, dimensions and types of materials and goods produced; (j) arranging and assisting with plant and machinery maintenance and repair. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Cast-concrete products machine operator - Cast-stone products machine operator - Concrete finishing machine opeerator - Concrete production machine operator - Industrial diamond polishing machine operator - Stone polishing machine operator Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Stone polisher (hand or hand-powered tools) - 7113 - Stone processing machine operator - 8112 - Kiln operator (brick, pottery or tiles)- 8181 - Extruding clay press operator - 8181 Note Examples of products produced by operators of plant and machines in this unit group include: mixed concrete for use in civil engineering and construction projects, flagstones, concrete bricks and tiles, fencing posts, moulded pipe sections and trench liners, concrete railway sleepers, walling and partition slabs, building components, cable conduits, fume and dust extraction conduits, abrasive wheels and outdoor furniture.