A miner is someone who works with tools and machinery to extract minerals and other materials from the ground. You must first decide what type of mining you want to do if you want to become a miner. For example, you might want to work as a coal miner and use industry-specific machinery, or you might want to work as an explosives expert in a variety of mining settings. A commercial driver’s license with the appropriate endorsements to operate heavy machinery can also be used to become a miner.
While a high school diploma or even post-secondary training at a college may be required to work as a miner in certain capacities, other mining jobs may require a high school diploma or even post-secondary training at a college. In most countries, you must be at least 18 years old to work as a miner. After graduating from high school, you can either apply to work as an entry-level laborer for a mining company, or you can get mining-specific training to help you get a better-paying job in the industry.
Consider carefully what types of mining operations you want to focus on if you decide to get job training before applying for a position. Some people specialize in mine management, while others specialize in explosives, while still others specialize in equipment operation, safety, equipment installation, or machine maintenance. Each area of expertise will necessitate unique training tailored to the job. This training can be obtained through school or by working as an entry-level laborer for a mining company and learning the skills through on-the-job training.
You can also become a miner by working for a mining company and completing an apprenticeship program where you will learn more specific skills. You will work with a more experienced miner who has specific experience with a specific type of mining operation during your apprenticeship. You can learn the skills you need to succeed by working as an apprentice under an equipment operator, a demolition specialist, or even a manager. Apprenticeships can last anywhere from one to five years, depending on the complexity of the field in which you’re learning, and you’ll almost certainly need to earn specific certifications or licenses during that time.