Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers

Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers assemble, position and operate drilling rigs and mining plant, and detonate explosives to extract materials from the earth and demolish structures.

What the job involves

• Dismantling, moving and reassembling drilling rigs and accessory plant

• Taking samples of ore, liquids and gases and packaging them

• Performing minor maintenance and repairs, and lubricating and cleaning plant

• Recording performance details and information obtained from wells, and keeping logs detailing operations

• Operating surface and underground mining plant

• Undertaking development work such as opening up new shafts, drives, air vents, rises and crib rooms

• Positioning explosives in bore holes and priming explosives using detonators and explosive cartridges

• Connecting wires, fuses and detonating cords to explosive cartridges and detonators, and detonating explosives

• Monitoring operation of plant and ensuring safety of other workers on mining sites and during drilling operations

• Operating auxiliary plant such as pumps to expel air, water and mud