Positions Miners Held

NPR and OVR asked 34 miners in five states what positions they held over the course of their mining careers. Most listed multiple positions.

Position
Description
# of miners who held job
Roof bolter Drill bolts into mine roof to prevent rockfall 27
Continuous miner operator Operates machine that cuts into coal seams 17
Shuttle car operator Shuttles mined coal from coal face to conveyor belts 16
Beltman Operates and maintains conveyor belts 11
Foreman Supervises miners 9
Jack or timber setter Places supports that protect miners from rockfall 5
Driller Drills holes into rock for dynamite 4
Superintendent Senior company official responsible for mine operation 2

Source: NPR, Ohio Valley Resource