Surface Miner Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Surface Miner

Best Schools to become a Surface Miner in U.S. 2024

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO

In-State Tuition:$17,520
Out-of-State Tuition:$39,600
Admission Rate:58%
Graduation Rate:82%
Total Enrollment:7,403

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH

In-State Tuition:$15,000
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,000
Admission Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:41%
Total Enrollment:164,091

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, MO

In-State Tuition:$10,389
Out-of-State Tuition:$30,150
Admission Rate:81%
Graduation Rate:62%
Total Enrollment:7,080

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA

In-State Tuition:$12,104
Out-of-State Tuition:$31,754
Admission Rate:57%
Graduation Rate:86%
Total Enrollment:38,170

University of Mississippi

University, MS

In-State Tuition:$9,072
Out-of-State Tuition:$26,292
Admission Rate:97%
Graduation Rate:68%
Total Enrollment:22,300

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL

In-State Tuition:$2,522
Out-of-State Tuition:$14,374
Admission Rate:81%
Graduation Rate:62%
Total Enrollment:29,592
Surface Miner Job Description:
  • Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Surface Miner

Job Duties for Surface Miners

  • Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.

  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.

  • Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.

Technologies and Skills Used by Surface Miners

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Industrial control software

  • Machine control systems
  • Machine monitoring software

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Figuring out how to use new ideas or things
  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Surface Miner

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Surface Miner

FAQs About Becoming a Surface Miner