Careers in Quarrying
Quarrying is an exciting and diverse industry to be involved in. Whether your interest is in geology, computer technology, heavy machinery or even explosives, the industry has established a range of courses and qualifications to help you build a challenging and fulfilling career.Below you will find a list of some of the roles available within our industry. If you would like to find out more about any of these options we recommend you contact Career Point, on 0800 222 733, or visit http://www.kiwicareers.govt.nz/. These services have been designed to help those seeking more information on a wide range of career paths.
- SITE MANAGERS
- EXPLOSIVE EXPERTS
- ADMINISTRATORS
- ENGINEERS
- FITTER / WELDERS
- GEOLOGISTS
- HEALTH & SAFETY ADVISORS
- IT SPECIALISTS
- MACHINERY OPERATORS
- MECHANICS
- PUBLIC RELATIONS EXPERTS
- QUALITY CONTROL OFFICERS
- SALES CONSULTANTS
SITE MANAGERS
Site Managers are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the entire quarry. Site managers are certified and fall into either of the two categories below -
A Grade Quarry Managers (Certificate of Competency Issued By OSH) - are responsible for the overall management of quarry (surface operations) with staff greater than 5 people. They are responsible for quarry planning, aggregate production, quarry operations and management, as well as site rehabilitation and health & safety issues. They may also undertake blasting operations including blast planning & layout.
B Grade Quarry Managers (Certificate of Competency Issued By OSH) - are responsible for the overall management of quarry (surface operations) with staff less than 5 people. They are responsible for quarry planning, aggregate production, quarry operations and management, as well as site rehabilitation and health & safety issues. They may also undertake blasting operations including blast planning & layout. This is generally for smaller operations than an A Grade manager.
MACHINERY OPERATORS
A quarry operation is a production line with every operator being an essential link in the chain. Below is a list of the main machinery operation roles that are vital to keeping a quarry running smoothly.
Driller:
The driller is the first step in the operation. The machines used are complex and the job is critical to down stream operations. Holes must be clean, in the right place, to the right depth and in the right direction to provide accurate and safe blasting with good fragmentation of the rock pile.
Shot firer:
The shot firer has the job of marking out, loading and firing the shots. They are responsible for the safe use of the explosives and to provide optimum fragmentation of the rock.
Digger Operator:
Digger operator is responsible for the area of the rock pile being worked at any one time. The operator must ensure trucks are loaded quickly and efficiently. They are also responsible for quality of the material being loaded and safety of the area for themselves and anyone entering the area.
Dump Truck Operator:
The dump truck is required to deliver rock from the quarry face to the crushing plant. This job often requires a high level of driving skill and is a critical link in the production chain.
Crusher operator:
This job varies from operation to operation and often involves the operation and maintenance of a large amount of plant including crushers, screens and conveyors. All these items need to be continuously monitored and fine-tuned to ensure a quality product is produced.
Bin Truck Driver:
The bin truck is required in many operations for taking material from the plant to the stockpile. This is often a key role with stockpiles often used to blend materials to ensure specifications are met.
Loader Operator:
The loader operator controls the stockpile and in many operations is responsible for maintaining a constant feed to the plant. This job requires a good knowledge of the products and their applications, as this is the public face of any operation.
Like more information?
Ph: CareerPoint, 0800 222 733, or visit www.kiwicareers.govt.nz