The Australian hardrock mining industry is one of these unique industry’s where what an individual person does as a miner makes a huge difference to how much money a company makes. Yes, miners work long hours, 12 hours a day often for weeks at a time, but time is only part of what an Australian Hardrock miner gets paid for. It’s their professionalism in the work place that has made Australian miners some of the best paid in the world.
It was Australian companies that first recognised the value of the miner and started to pay them accordingly. Either measured in tons moved per bucket or metres advanced the professional miner is what has made the Australian Hardrock industry both on the surface and underground the envy of the world. So much so that our contracting companies are exporting their methods and people around the world.
Take twin boom Jumbo advancement for example, most drills these days are using a 5m steel to drill the holes, that are then charged and fired with explosives. You never get the whole 5m in advancement, how much you get depends on where you placed the holes and most importantly, how straight those holes are. A good jumbo operator can get up to 4.6m advancement while others may only get 4.1m. The difference can be measured with the average cost of a metre advancement at $5000 a metre and you have one operator getting half a metre more per cut (the term used to describe each advancement) with each operator normally gets 2 cuts per shift over time the difference is often measured in the hundreds of thousands of dollars over the year. Little wonder that people in these jobs often get paid over $1000 a day and their bonus is paid in metres advanced instead of time spent on the job.
The same can be said of the bogger (underground loader), each time the machine goes in and out it takes time and uses fuel. The more you can carry in one bucket means fewer times the machine has to go in and out to move the same amount of rock. If the bucket can carry 10tons but one operator can only put 6 ton of rock in it then it will take almost twice as long to move the same amount of rock that can be moved by someone that can get the whole 10 tons in the bucket. Again the higher skill level can be measured in the hundreds of thousands of dollars over the year.
This is just a couple of examples of how the actions of the employees makes a big difference to how much the company makes per year. These examples are repeated in the Hardrock industry both on the surface and underground. With the skill of the miners making a significant difference for better or worse to the mine operation.
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FAQs
Do underground miners make a lot of money? ›
As of Sep 7, 2024, the average hourly pay for the Underground Mining jobs category in California is $24.11 an hour.
Why do coal miners get paid so much? ›Coal miners are paid more compared to other workers with similar amounts of education because of the disutility associated with their job. It is a hard job involving hard conditions and heavy machinery. Coal workers must then be compensated for working such a job instead of a more comfortable job elsewhere.
Where do miners get paid the most? ›- Bessemer, AL. $28.62 per hour. 5 salaries reported.
- Beckley, WV. $28.49 per hour.
- Morgantown, WV. $28.43 per hour.
- Cameron, WV. $28.11 per hour.
- Charleston, WV. $26.44 per hour.
- Show more nearby cities.
How Much Do Underground Mining Jobs Pay per Year? $43,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $57,500 is the 75th percentile.
What's the highest paid job in the mines? ›- PROJECT DIRECTOR/DRILLING OPERATIONS DIRECTOR. ...
- MINING ENGINEER. ...
- MINE MANAGER. ...
- GEOLOGISTS & GEOSCIENTISTS. ...
- PROJECT MANAGERS AND CONSULTANTS. ...
- METALLURGISTS. ...
- GEOPHYSICISTS. ...
- OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS.
Down in a coal mine, there's no such thing as a "nine to five." Miners usually work shifts, and they can be on for 10 days in a row. Some head down before sunrise and return anywhere from seven to 12 hours later.
What state pays the most for coal miners? ›Top 50 Highest Paying States for Underground Coal Mining Jobs in the U.S. We've identified ten states where the typical salary for an Underground Coal Mining job is above the national average. Topping the list is New Jersey, with Wisconsin and Washington close behind in second and third.
Is underground coal mining a good job? ›A coal miner is a well-paying job that you don't typically need to obtain an advanced degree to perform. If you want to become a coal miner, it can be helpful to understand the physical, educational and professional requirements you may need to get a mining position.
What do coal miners suffer from? ›Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as "black lung disease," occurs when coal dust is inhaled. Over time, continued exposure to the coal dust causes scarring in the lungs, impairing your ability to breathe. Considered an occupational lung disease, it is most common among coal miners.
Is mining unskilled labor? ›Mining laborers must be able to perform physical labor in dangerous conditions and are usually not required to pos- sess a high school diploma. Most skills are learned on the job and are supplemented by a requisite 40 hours of formal safety training.
What do miners do for a living? ›
A miner is a laborer who works at a mining site, extracting coal, metals, oil shale, gemstones, rock salt, or other minerals from underground blocks. Mining sites exist all around the world in resource-rich areas, often in and around mountains.
What state has the most mining jobs? ›West Virginia was the state with the most coal-mining jobs in the United States, with some 12,997 employees in 2022.
How far underground do miners go? ›An underground coal mine can drive 2,500 feet (750 meters) into the Earth and other types even deeper -- uranium mines can reach 6,500 feet, or 2 kilometers. But those depths are extreme; most top (or bottom) out at about 1,000 feet (300 meters) [sources: Times Wire, Illinois Coal Association].
What was the life expectancy of an underground miner? ›What is the average life expectancy of a coal miner? Most coal miners pass away in their 40's and 50's from Black Lung Disease.
What is the largest underground mine in the United States? ›Underground mining has the potential for tunnel collapses and land subsidence (Betournay, 2011). It involves large-scale movements of waste rock and vegetation, similar to open pit mining. Additionally, like most traditional forms of mining, underground mining can release toxic compounds into the air and water.
Is there good money in the mines? ›Indeed, I have made a lot of money working in the mines. Here are my top four reasons why working in the mines here in Australia can be advantageous. High Salaries – The average mining salary in Australia is around $90,000+ per year for entry level positions and $165,000+ per year for experienced workers.