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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.

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A look at the work

  • Handle high voltage sources and hang electrical cables.
  • Drive loaded shuttle cars to ramps and move controls to discharge loads into mine cars or onto conveyors.
  • Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.
  • Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.
  • Control conveyors that run the entire length of shuttle cars to distribute loads as loading progresses.
  • Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.
  • Examine roadway and clear obstructions from the path of travel.
  • Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.

A selection of source-listed tasks; duties vary by role and employer.

Interests involved in this work

These source scores describe occupational work activities. They are separate from your personal test results.

Hands-on

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

7.0 / 7

Investigative

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

2.2 / 7

Creative

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

1.0 / 7

Helping people

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

1.0 / 7

Enterprising

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

1.0 / 7

Organizing

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

3.7 / 7

Skills to explore

Source-reported importance on a 1–5 scale. Try a course, project or conversation to learn what these skills involve.

Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

2022-08

3.4 / 5

Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

2022-08

3.3 / 5

Troubleshooting

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

2022-08

3.1 / 5

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

2022-08

3.0 / 5

Equipment Maintenance

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

2022-08

3.0 / 5

Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

2022-08

3.0 / 5

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

2022-08

3.0 / 5

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

2022-08

3.0 / 5

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

2022-08

2.9 / 5

Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

2022-08

2.9 / 5

Plan a small next step

Talk to someone doing this work, look for a supervised activity, and explore the subjects that interest you. Admission, licensing and current program requirements should be confirmed with the relevant institutions.

Source preparation category: Job Zone 2 of 5 · 2026-02. This category describes typical preparation, not your eligibility.

Source & methodology

O*NET-SOC code 47-5044.00 · Database 31.0 · Retrieved Oct 14, 2026. Dates on individual observations describe their source periods.

How interest exploration matching works →

Data: O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0. StudyIndex normalizes the presentation and adds exploration features; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions.