excavation techniques
The methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.
Surface mine plant operators control heavy-duty equipment such as excavators and dump trucks, often involving a high level of spatial awareness, to excavate, load and transport ore, raw mineral including sand, stone and clay and overburden at quarries and surface mines.
Competences and skills
24 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 3 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
2 competencesimpact of geological factors on mining operations
Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.
Cross-sector
1 competencemechanics
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.
Essential skills and competences 10 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
5 competencescommunicate 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.
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.
deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances
Strive to achieve objectives despite the pressures arising from unexpected factors outside of your control.
inspect heavy surface mining equipment
Inspect heavy-duty surface mining machinery and equipment. Identify and report defects and abnormalities.
operate mining tools
Operate and maintain a wide range of hand-held and powered mining tools and equipment.
Cross-sector
5 competencesaddress 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.
make independent operating decisions
Make immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best for a particular situation.
perform minor repairs to equipment
Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.
react to events in time-critical environments
Monitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.
troubleshoot
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Optional skills and competences 11 competences
Occupation specific
3 competencesoperate dragline
Use large dragline excavators to remove overburden above coal, lignite, and other minerals. Drag a bucket attached to a line over the surface to collect material and remove it.
operate dump truck
Operate articulated or rigid dump trucks used in mining operations for moving overburden or minerals. Apply strong spatial awareness in manipulating these large vehicles.
- Scope note
- Dump truck operators may work with large trucks as used in surface mining or some very large self-supporting underground mines, or smaller trucks used for other applications.
operate spreader
Operate spreaders, used in mining to spread removed overburden over a dump area in an efficient and orderly manner.
- Scope note
- Spreader operators work closely with bucket wheel excavator operators to efficiently remove overburden from the mining site and dump it.
Sector-specific
6 competencesdrive agricultural machines
Drive tractors, forklifts and other vehicles to transport crops as well as to deliver high torque at low speeds. Move equipment in fields and around buildings, making the appropriate adjustments and maneuvers.
operate bucket wheel excavator
Operate a bucket wheel excavator, a giant piece of mining machinery that uses a wheel or a chain equipped with buckets to scrape away material from the surface, then load it onto a conveyor belt.
operate bulldozer
Operate a tracked or wheeled bulldozer, a powerful piece of machinery equipped with a shovel-like blade used to move earth, rubble or other material over the ground.
- Scope note
- Bulldozer operators Bulldozer operators . may work with large bulldozer as used in surface mining, or smaller bulldozers used for precision work, as in construction projects.
operate excavator
Operate excavators used to dig materials from the surface and load them onto dump trucks.
- Scope note
- Types of excavators used in mining include hydraulic and electric powered equipment.
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 shotcreter
Operate a shotcreter, a mechanised shotcrete spraying system used for ground support applications. Pneumatically project concrete at high velocity through a hose to cover a surface or fill holes for a variety of purposes.
Cross-sector
2 competencesdrive vehicles
Be able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.
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.