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Description
Operate haul trucks, loaders, dozers, graders, scrapers, and excavators at surface mines to move overburden and ore and maintain roads, ramps, and dumps.
Job tasks Attributes
  • • Operate controls to dig, push, load, spread, grade, and haul material.
  • • Perform pre-start inspections and set up equipment; check fluids, tires/tracks, and blades/buckets.
  • • Follow dispatch, radio, and hand signals, grade stakes, and GPS guidance to meet specifications.
  • • Review mine plans, dig plans, and equipment capabilities to work safely and efficiently.
  • • Build and maintain haul roads, ramps, berms, pads, and dumps to grade and slope requirements.
  • • Backfill, reclaim, rip, compact, or break rock or frozen ground as required.
  • • Fuel, grease, and perform basic adjustments; replace cutting edges or bucket teeth; report defects.
  • • Move ore and waste to crushers, stockpiles, or dumps and manage dump placement and compaction.
  • • Measure and verify elevations, bench heights, and slopes using lasers or GPS.
  • • Receive and follow written and oral instructions on material movement and pit sequencing.
  • • Adjust dig angles, cut depths, and blade/bucket positions for varying material and bench conditions.
  • • Travel equipment safely to and from work areas; maintain separation and right-of-way rules.
  • • Perform manual cleanup or spotting as needed; shovel, hand-pack, or flag to finish areas.
  • • Direct and coordinate ground crews and truck spotting to ensure safe loading and dumping.
  • • Create and maintain drainage, sumps, and access ramps; assist with pit dewatering as needed.
  • • Respond to changing conditions such as slides, mud, ice, or dust; perform pit cleaning and housekeeping.
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Source
Tasks & skills: O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge). Learn more
Sources & Standards: This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
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