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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 9311

Mining assistant

A mining assistant is a person who carries out the routine tasks of mining and quarrying operations, helping miners with equipment maintenance, with laying pipes and cables, with tunnel work, and with removing waste.

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Rate 5 of the 10 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

troubleshoot

dispose of non-hazardous waste

clean waste materials from machines

handle mining plant waste

address problems critically

About mining assistant

The assistant works alongside miners: carrying and positioning materials, laying and extending pipe and cable runs as a working face advances, supporting tunnel work, and clearing machines of debris so they can keep running. The assistant also carries out minor repairs to equipment on the spot and helps keep it in working order.

The assistant also handles mine waste, the material that is not ore but still has to be moved and stored.

The assistant knows excavation techniques and solves problems in confined, dark and noisy conditions. Critical problem solving matters, for example when an assistant notices that something is not as it was on the last shift. Relevant information is passed on at handover, so that the next crew knows what is happening at the face. Ergonomic working methods matter in a job of lifting and carrying. Formal requirements, including underground training and medical fitness, are set by national mining rules.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (10)

excavation techniquesexcavation techniquesThe methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.maintain records of mining operationsmaintain records of mining operationsMaintain records of mine production and development performance, including performance of machinery.dispose of non-hazardous wastedispose of non-hazardous wasteDispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures except for waste incineration.clean waste materials from machinesclean waste materials from machinesClean waste materials from machine using the adequate equipment or appliances as to ensure smooth operations, avoid accidents, and maintain clean working place.handle mining plant wastehandle mining plant wasteMake sure mining plant waste is disposed of safely, efficiently, and in an environmentally sound manner.address problems criticallyaddress problems criticallyIdentify 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 a...perform minor repairs to equipmentperform minor repairs to equipmentConduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.conduct inter-shift communicationconduct inter-shift communicationCommunicate relevant information about the conditions in the workplace, progress, events, and potential problems to the workers in the next shift.
Optional (16) — show
impact of geological factors on mining operationsimpact of geological factors on mining operationsBe aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.geologygeologySolid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.health and safety hazards undergroundhealth and safety hazards undergroundThe rules and risks affecting health and safety when working underground.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.drive vehiclesdrive vehiclesBe able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.operate mining toolsoperate mining toolsOperate and maintain a wide range of hand-held and powered mining tools and equipment.lay pipe installationlay pipe installationInstall the system of pipes used to transport a fluid, be it a liquid or a gas, from one point to another and connect it to the fuel and water supply lines, air ducts, and other components.operate front loaderoperate front loaderOperate 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 tunnelling machineoperate tunnelling machineOperate a tunnelling machine, a machine with a large rotating steel drum equipped with tungsten carbide teeth that cut material in order to drive underground tunnels or development roadways. Operate t...maintain mine machinerymaintain mine machineryInspect and conduct planned maintenance of mining equipment. Execute routine repairs and replace damaged components. Analyse test results and interpret machine error messages. Undertake maintenance ac...communicate mine equipment informationcommunicate mine equipment informationCommunicate transparently and efficiently with mine production management and machine operators. Pass on any relevant information such as outages, efficiency and productivity of the equipment.operate hydraulic pumpsoperate hydraulic pumpsOperate hydraulic pumping systems.report mine machinery repairsreport mine machinery repairsRecord repair and maintenance tasks executed on mine machinery.operate drilling equipmentoperate drilling equipmentOperate a range of drilling equipment, pneumatic as well as electrical and mechanical. Tend drilling equipment, monitor and operate it, according to regulations. Safely and efficiently drill holes usi...interpret mechanical mine machinery manualsinterpret mechanical mine machinery manualsComprehend manufacturers' manuals for the installation and operation of mining machinery. Understand schematic drawings.operate a range of underground mining equipmentoperate a range of underground mining equipmentOperate underground mining equipment, such as ventilation and transport systems.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

surface mine plant operator5 shared essential skillssurface miner5 shared essential skillsmine safety officer4 shared essential skillsunderground heavy equipment operator4 shared essential skillsunderground miner4 shared essential skillsdesalination technician3 shared essential skillsdewatering technician3 shared essential skillsenvironmental mining engineer3 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a mining assistant do?

Mining assistants perform routine duties in mining and quarrying operations. They assist the miners with maintaining equipment, with laying pipes, cables and tunnels, and with removing wast.

What skills does a mining assistant need?

A mining assistant needs 10 essential skills, including excavation techniques, work ergonomically, troubleshoot, maintain records of mining operations, dispose of non-hazardous waste.

Will AI replace mining assistant jobs?

The AI disruption score for mining assistant is 26/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: maintain records of mining operations, report mine machinery repairs, communicate mine equipment information. Most resilient: lay pipe installation, work ergonomically, dispose of non-hazardous waste.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupLabourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport
Essential Skills10

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