Occupation · SOC 47-5044
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Operate underground loading or moving machine to load or move coal, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors. Equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.
Median wage
$68,860
$48,310–$82,900
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
6,130
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
5 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringTroubleshootingSpeakingEquipment MaintenanceCritical ThinkingCoordinationActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionMonitoringRepairingComplex Problem SolvingEquipment SelectionTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingService OrientationQuality Control AnalysisNegotiationLearning StrategiesActive LearningWritingMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesOperations AnalysisSystems AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesSystems EvaluationInstallationTechnology DesignScienceProgramming
Knowledge areas
MechanicalEducation and TrainingLaw and GovernmentEnglish LanguageProduction and ProcessingPublic Safety and SecurityTransportationAdministration and ManagementEngineering and TechnologyDesignMathematicsPhysicsGeographyBuilding and ConstructionPsychologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesMedicine and DentistryChemistryTelecommunicationsTherapy and CounselingCustomer and Personal ServiceComputers and ElectronicsEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaAdministrativeSales and MarketingSociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguagePhilosophy and TheologyBiologyFood ProductionHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Automated systems softwareInventory management systemsMaintenance management softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMine maintenance softwareWork time accounting software
Representative tasks
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsTraining and Teaching OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsDeveloping and Building TeamsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersProcessing InformationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeThinking CreativelyGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesAnalyzing Data or InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentPerforming Administrative ActivitiesSelling or Influencing OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationStaffing Organizational UnitsWorking with Computers
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Shuttle car controls — identify and operate under direct supervisor guidance on a designated underground haulage route.Electrical cable hazards — recognize and report using basic safety awareness protocols in an active mine entry.Rubber safety gloves — select and don correctly before moving trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions on a mine floor.Hand signals and grade stakes — observe and interpret with crew assistance when positioning loading equipment at the working face.Roadway obstructions — identify and flag for removal before driving a machine through an underground travel way.Conveyor belt controls — engage and monitor under supervision to distribute material loads during routine shuttle car loading cycles.Crowbar techniques — assist in prying loose roof material into machine paths under the direct instruction of an experienced operator.Pre-shift equipment checks — complete using a provided checklist before operating a loading or moving machine at an underground mining site.High-voltage cable locations — recognize and avoid contact with, following posted safety procedures in a mine entry.Basic machine controls — practice coordinating hand and foot inputs to maneuver a shuttle car on a level underground roadway under close oversight.
developing
Loaded shuttle cars — drive independently to mine ramps and operate discharge controls to unload material into mine cars or onto conveyors with minimal supervision.Trailing electrical cables — move clear of equipment travel paths using rubber safety gloves, applying standard cable-handling procedures in active mine sections.Conveyor length distribution — control conveyor speed and direction along the full length of a shuttle car to balance loads evenly as material accumulates during routine operations.Blasted material faces — drive loading machines into piles with consistent control precision, adjusting approach angle to optimize scoop capacity in familiar underground conditions.Roof scaling operations — use a crowbar to pry and relocate loose roof material ahead of machine travel routes without direct instruction in established work areas.Hand signals and grade markings — interpret and respond to accurately while multitasking machine operation in a moderately congested underground environment.High-voltage sources — handle and re-hang electrical cables safely following mine electrical procedures, with awareness of live-circuit hazards in underground entries.Equipment malfunctions — identify common mechanical faults through operational monitoring and report findings clearly to maintenance personnel during a shift.Underground roadway conditions — examine and clear obstructions from travel paths independently before and during machine operation to maintain safe haulage flow.Shift production logs — record machine operating hours and load counts using time accounting or inventory software at the end of each underground shift.
proficient
Full-cycle shuttle car operations — perform autonomously across loading, haulage, and discharge phases, adapting to changing roadway and face conditions throughout an underground mining shift.Non-routine electrical cable situations — troubleshoot and safely re-route high-voltage cables around equipment or roof falls without supervisor intervention in active mine sections.Complex load distribution — regulate conveyor speed and timing across varying material densities and volumes to prevent overloading while maximizing throughput on a continuous basis.Difficult terrain navigation — maneuver loading machines through tight entries, grades, and turns with precise multilimb coordination, minimizing equipment contact with rib and roof.Roof hazard assessment — independently scale and clear loose material from machine travel zones, making real-time judgments about safe entry into blasted areas.Equipment malfunctions — diagnose and perform field-level troubleshooting on shuttle cars and conveyors, applying mechanical knowledge to restore operations and limit downtime.Crew communication — convey operational status, hazard observations, and equipment issues clearly and concisely to shift supervisors and co-workers in high-noise underground environments.Safety compliance monitoring — observe and correct unsafe cable-handling or machine-operating practices by co-workers using site safety standards and personal authority as a senior operator.Preventive maintenance tasks — carry out scheduled lubrication, inspection, and minor repairs on loading and moving machines in accordance with manufacturer and mine maintenance schedules.Operational data entry — accurately log production metrics, machine hours, and incident observations in industrial control or time accounting software to support shift reporting requirements.
advanced
Underground machine operations program — lead the development and continuous improvement of operating procedures for loading and moving equipment across an entire mine section or operation.Operator training and mentorship — design and deliver structured on-the-job training for new and developing operators, building their machine control, cable-handling, and safety competencies.High-voltage electrical safety standards — establish and enforce site-specific procedures for cable handling and electrical hazard management, ensuring compliance across all operating crews.Production efficiency strategy — analyze haulage cycle times, conveyor distribution patterns, and loading face layouts to recommend operational changes that increase throughput and reduce equipment wear.Equipment maintenance culture — champion a preventive maintenance program across the department, coordinating with mechanics and operators to reduce unplanned machine downtime in underground sections.Cross-functional hazard communication — collaborate with mine engineering, safety, and supervision teams to identify, evaluate, and communicate roadway and roof hazard risks before they affect operations.Incident investigation leadership — lead root-cause analyses of equipment-related incidents or near-misses, developing corrective action plans and presenting findings to mine management.Workforce scheduling and coordination — plan and allocate operator assignments across shifts and work zones, balancing skill levels and production demands to sustain safe haulage operations.Technology adoption — evaluate and guide the implementation of industrial control software and monitoring tools for shuttle car and conveyor operations, supporting crew adoption and compliance.Organizational safety culture — model and reinforce dependability, integrity, and cautiousness at the leadership level, setting the behavioral standard for all underground machine operators across the site.
Also known as
46 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Buggy DriverBuggy ManBuggy OperatorBuggy RunnerCar DropperCar DumperCar PincherCart DriverCoal Hauler OperatorCoke LoaderContinuous Miner OperatorEquipment Loader OperatorEquipment OperatorFront End Loader OperatorJoy LoaderJoy Loading Machine OperatorJoy OperatorLoad Haul Dump Operator (LHD Operator)LoaderLoader OperatorLoading Machine OperatorMachine LoaderMechanical Shovel OperatorMine Shuttle Car OperatorMinerMiner OperatorMobile Bridge Conveyor OperatorMonitor Car OperatorMuck HaulerMuck OperatorMucker OperatorMucking Machine OperatorPit Loader OperatorPlant Loader OperatorProduction MinerRam Car OperatorShuttle Buggy OperatorShuttle Car OperatorShuttle DriverShuttle Officer