Mine/Quarry Manager Kaiwhakahaere Huke Kōwaro

Mine and quarry managers supervise mine and quarry workers, do safety checks and plan activities in mines and quarries.

Mine and quarry managers may do some or all of the following:

  • plan future production of a quarry or mine
  • oversee quarrying or tunnelling
  • check the quality of rocks or minerals
  • hire and train staff 
  • ensure all relevant laws, regulations and codes of practice are followed, including safety inspections
  • monitor the environmental impact of the mining or quarrying operation
  • oversee budgets, accounts and sales
  • liaise and negotiate with suppliers, contractors, clients, shareholders and corporate managers.

Electrical Superintendent

Electrical superintendents must have a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) or a Bachelor of Engineering Technology – Electrical (Level 7).

Mechanical Superintendent

Mechanical superintendents must have a Bachelor of Engineering – Mechanical (Level 7).

 

Physical Requirements

Mine and quarry managers need to have a good level of fitness and must be strong as they may check and repair heavy equipment.

Mine managers must pass a physical examination every six months.

Mine and quarry managers may also be required to do regular drug and alcohol tests.

Useful Experience

Useful experience for mine and quarry managers includes:

  • mine and quarry work
  • engineering or surveying work
  • supervision or management experience
  • heavy vehicle and earthmoving experience
  • accounting and finance management
  • operating or repairing machinery.

Personal Qualities

Mine and quarry managers need to be:

  • good leaders
  • mature and responsible
  • well-organised
  • safety-conscious and able to remain calm in emergencies
  • skilled at business and management processes
  • excellent communicators.

Skills

Mine and quarry managers need to have knowledge of:

  • different mining or quarrying methods
  • mining and quarrying materials such as coal, rocks and oil
  • how to handle explosives and blasting
  • mechanical skills to diagnose faults and carry out basic repairs
  • health and safety, and environment legislation
  • product quality testing
  • industry training
  • how to operate and maintain machinery
  • new technology and ways to process materials.

Conditions

Mine and quarry managers:

  • often work long hours and usually do shift work, including nights, weekends and being on call
  • work in conditions that may be hazardous, noisy and dirty
  • may work in cramped or confined conditions in underground mines, or varied weather conditions in opencast mines and quarries.

Subject Recommendations

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a mine or quarry manager. However, construction and mechanical technologies, geography, maths and physical education are useful.

Mine/Quarry Managers can earn around $100K-$155K per year.

Pay for mine and quarry managers varies depending on location and how many staff they manage.

  • Quarry managers usually earn between $100,000 and $155,000 a year.
  • Mine managers usually earn between $130,000 and $210,000.

Source: MITO, 2018; and Minex National Health and Safety Council, 2018.

Mine and quarry managers may progress to become members of boards of directors or head office managers.

They can specialise in a number of roles, including:

Electrical Superintendent
Electrical superintendents create plans for the safe use and installation of electrical equipment in a mine or quarry. They monitor electrical workers to ensure work is done safely and legally.
Mechanical Superintendent
Mechanical superintendents create plans for the safe use and installation of machinery in a mine or quarry. They monitor mine and quarry workers to ensure mechanical work is done safely and legally.
Tunnel Manager/Underviewer
Tunnel managers and underviewers are responsible for the health and safety of workers during shifts in underground coal mines. They take charge during emergencies.

Years Of Training

To become a mine or quarry manager you need to have:

  • extensive quarrying or mining experience
  • an Extractives Certificate of Competence from WorkSafe New Zealand.
Mine/Quarry Manager