Machine operator, mineral processing

Mineral and stone processing plant operators operate and monitor machines and equipment for processing rock, minerals and stone to obtain refined products for immediate use or further processing.

• adjusting and operating stationary machines and equipment for cutting, crushing and grinding rock, minerals and stone according to the specifications for the operation;
• placing blocks and slabs of stone on machines for cutting, sawing and further processing;
• monitoring and maintaining the flow of unprocessed rock, minerals and stone on conveyors feeding the machines;
• operating equipment for washing, filtering, settling, screening, sorting, extracting, mixing, removing waste materials and recovering minerals;
• combining mineral ores with solvents to facilitate further processing;
• separating metal and mineral concentrates from ores and alluvial deposits by thickening, flotation, gravity concentration, filtration and/or magnetic and electrostatic separation;
• monitoring gauges and control panels, adjusting valves and control buttons to ensure safe and efficient equipment operation, detecting faults, and assisting in the maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment;
• visually or manually examining processed materials to ensure conformity with established standards and specifications, and taking samples for laboratory analysis;
• recording information on processing carried out during the shift, such as quantities, types and sizes of materials produced;
• sorting, stacking and moving processed minerals and stone for packing, further processing or transport.
• Examples of occupations in this unit group:
• Machine operator, ore processing
• Machine operator, flotation plants and equipment
• Machine operator, non-metallic mineral beneficiation plants and equipment
• Machine operator, ore beneficiation plants and equipment
• Operator, rock-cutting machine
• Operator, mill in beneficiation plant