Uranium miners operate uranium ore extraction equipment. They work under the supervision of engineers who oversee both the mining and processing of the ore in preparation for transport. Long hours in arduous conditions are common in this job, which necessitates a high level of physical fitness. Many uranium miners have years of experience, and some have received formal training in mining and related fields in order to work efficiently and safely. Supervisors and team leaders may be able to work with advanced qualifications.
Geologists conduct surveys and inspections to find potential mine sites. They figure out how much uranium is in the ground, whether it’s worth extracting, and what techniques are needed to get at it. Uranium is typically mined in an open pit method, which necessitates the systematic movement of heavy equipment through a deposit to extract the ore. Supervisors direct uranium miners, who decide where they should work on any given day.
Miners typically use heavy machinery to open up pits, extract ore, and transport it to processing plants. Because uranium ore typically contains a number of impurities, shipping it unprocessed would be impractical. As a result, uranium mines could be linked to milling plants that purify the ore before loading it for further processing. Uranium miners can be involved in this process at any stage, from obtaining the valuable ore to processing it for uranium and other useful components.
Radiation concerns may force uranium miners to use and wear special protective gear to protect themselves and the general public while they work. Respirators, which protect the airways from harmful dust, and heavy garments, which limit injuries from falling rock and other materials, are examples of this. Because mines can be extremely noisy environments with decibel levels high enough to cause hearing loss, hearing protection may be required.
Uranium miners work with safety engineers to ensure that their working conditions are as safe as possible. Following specific protocols for handling mining activity, wearing appropriate gear, and setting up anonymous reporting to allow miners to report safety problems without fear of retaliation are all examples of ways to improve safety. Individual miners can serve as team supervisors and safety inspectors, as well as union stewards who represent their coworkers when grievances are filed with the union.