Working underneath the surface

An overview of working conditions for underground miners

Underground mining is a challenging and dangerous profession that requires a high level of skill, experience, and physical fitness. The working conditions for underground miners are harsh and unforgiving, which brings the mining companies and their partners to measure and anticipate every potential risk. This article reveals the different aspects of working underground, from the job itself to its working conditions, and how a mining company can improve them. It also includes an exclusive interview of Vladimir Traskine, Regional Director at Aramine.

A full-skilled job​:

An underground miner is a skilled worker who specializes in extracting minerals, metals, or other valuable resources from underneath the surface. They work in galleries that are located deep underground and are responsible for a variety of tasks, including drilling, blasting, and digging tunnels to follow the vein of an ore or mineral. As part of their daily tasks, miners must know how to operate heavy machineries, such as drill rigs, excavators, mining loaders, and trucks. Thus, they have a complete understanding and mastery of mining techniques and equipment.

Underground miners usually work in shifts that can last a few hours without a break. In many countries, the workers must come on weekends and may be called upon to work in unfriendly weather conditions.