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Production Manager (Mining)

ManagersUsually a bachelor degree or higher, or long experience

What the work is

Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates the production activities of a mining operation, including physical and human resources.

Would you enjoy the work?

These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.

  • Plans and develops strategies for the production activities of a mining operation, and organises and coordinates the allocation of physical and human resources
  • Directs and controls the implementation of production plans and schedules
  • Monitors and evaluates the performance of mining production activities
  • Develops and implements quality control measures for mining production, and ensures compliance with safety and environmental regulations
  • May oversee short-term mine design activities

Try it

A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a fictional hard-rock quarry that supplies gravel and sand to road and building projects. They are fictional.

The kind of days you could have

Good days

  • A shift ends with every target met, the plant running smoothly and everyone going home safe
  • You find a better way to schedule the trucks and the queue at the weighbridge disappears
  • A crew who were sceptical about a new plan tell you it was a good idea

Hard days

  • Plant breakdown on a day with a big delivery booked
  • Dust, noise and early starts that wear down good people over time
  • Balancing what a customer needs this week with what the equipment can take

Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.

Work a mission

Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.

Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 132233, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.