Mining and Quarrying Supervisors

Nature of work

Individuals in these jobs supervise and coordinate the activities of workers in underground and surface mining operations and quarries. They work for coal, metal and non-metallic mineral mines and quarries.

Job duties

Supervisors in this group:

• Supervise, coordinate, and schedule the activities of workers who extract coal, minerals and ore.
• Use underground conveyances and complete other supporting underground mining, heavy equipment operators, drillers, blasters and other workers in surface mining and quarrying.
• Create ways to meet work schedules and consult with managerial and technical personnel, other departments, and contractors to solve problems and coordinate activities.
• Oversee the safety of the mining or quarrying operations.
• Solve work problems and recommend ways to improve productivity.
• Request materials and supplies.
• Train workers in job duties, safety procedures and company policies.
• Recommend personnel actions like hiring and promotions.
• Prepare production and other reports.

Sample job titles

• blasters foreperson - mining and quarrying
• construction supervisor - underground mining and quarrying
• drilling foreperson - mining and quarrying
• mine supervisor
• production foreperson - mining and quarrying
• quarry supervisor
• shift foreperson - mining and quarrying
• underground mine foreperson

Skills

• You need an aptitude for administrative work and project management. Leadership, supervisory and effective communication skills, both oral and written, is essential. You must be able to work alone and as part of a team. You must be observant, responsible, and able to enforce rules and regulations.

Job requirements

• High school is required.
• A college or university program in mining technology or engineering may be required for some positions in this group.
• Provincial certification as an underground mine supervisor, shift boss, or coal mining supervisor may be required.

Other considerations

• Supervisory personnel usually have significant non-supervisory experience in a related job. Mobility between surface mining, underground mining, coal or metal mining sectors may be limited by differences in production technologies and licensing requirements. There is mobility between employers, especially for supervisors with post-secondary diplomas or degrees.

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