Mining
Mining and geological engineers find, extract, and prepare coal, metals, and minerals for use by
manufacturing industries and utilities. They design open pit and underground mines, often using
computers; supervise the construction of mine shafts and tunnels in underground operations; and
devise methods for transporting minerals to processing plants. Mining engineers are responsible
for the safe, economical, and environmentally sound operation of mines. Some mining engineers work
with geologists and metallurgical engineers to locate and appraise new ore deposits. Others develop
new mining equipment or direct mineral processing operations to separate minerals from the dirt, rock,
and other materials with which they are mixed. Mining engineers frequently specialize in the mining of
one mineral or metal, such as coal or gold. With increased emphasis on protecting the environment, many
mining engineers work to solve problems related to land reclamation and water and air pollution.
The following are other trades or specialties that maybe involved in mining.
Continuous mining machine operators operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand form the face and load it onto conveyors or into shuttle cars in a continuous operation.
Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials. May perform specialized handling, storage, and accounting procedures. Includes seismograph shooters. Excludes earth drillers, except oil and gas who may also work with explosives.
Earth drillers, except oil and gas operate a variety of drills—such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic—to tap subsurface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. May use explosives. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators lay, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines. Includes ballast cleaning machine operators and railroad bed tamping machine operators.
Mine cutting and channeling machine operators operate machinery--such as longwall shears, plows, and cutting machines--to cut or channel along the face or seams of coal mines, stone quarries, or other mining surfaces to facilitate blasting, separating, or removing minerals or materials from mines or from the earth's surface. Includes shale planers.
Rock splitters, quarry separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammer and wedges.
Roof bolters, mining operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas set up or operate a variety of drills to remove petroleum products from the earth and to find and remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.
Roustabouts, oil and gas assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.
Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stick pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. May also perform similar services in mining exploration operations. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
Helpers—electricians help electricians by performing duties of lesser skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Source: http://stats.bls.gov/home.htm
