Mine/Quarry Manager
Kaiwhakahaere Huke Kōwaro
Alternative titles for this job
Mine and quarry managers supervise mine and quarry workers, do safety checks and plan activities in mines and quarries.
Pay
Quarry managers usually earn
$100K-$155K per year
Mine managers usually earn
$130K-$210K per year
Source: MITO and Minex, 2018.
Job opportunities
Vocational PathwaysPay
Pay for mine and quarry managers varies depending on location and how many staff they manage.
- Quarry managers usually earn between $100,000 and $155,000 a year.
- Mine managers usually earn between $130,000 and $210,000.
Source: MITO, 2018; and Minex National Health and Safety Council, 2018.
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)
What you will do
Mine and quarry managers may do some or all of the following:
- plan future production of a quarry or mine
- oversee quarrying or tunnelling
- check the quality of rocks or minerals
- hire and train staff
- ensure all relevant laws, regulations and codes of practice are followed, including safety inspections
- monitor the environmental impact of the mining or quarrying operation
- oversee budgets, accounts and sales
- liaise and negotiate with suppliers, contractors, clients, shareholders and corporate managers.
Skills and knowledge
Mine and quarry managers need to have knowledge of:
- different mining or quarrying methods
- mining and quarrying materials such as coal, rocks and oil
- how to handle explosives and blasting
- mechanical skills to diagnose faults and carry out basic repairs
- health and safety, and environment legislation
- product quality testing
- industry training
- how to operate and maintain machinery
- new technology and ways to process materials.
Working conditions
Mine and quarry managers:
- often work long hours and usually do shift work, including nights, weekends and being on call
- work in conditions that may be hazardous, noisy and dirty
- may work in cramped or confined conditions in underground mines, or varied weather conditions in opencast mines and quarries.
Entry requirements
To become a mine or quarry manager you need to have:
- extensive quarrying or mining experience
- an Extractives Certificate of Competence from WorkSafe New Zealand.
Secondary education
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a mine or quarry manager. However, construction and mechanical technologies, geography, maths and physical education are useful.
Additional requirements for specialist roles:
Electrical Superintendent
Electrical superintendents must have a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) or a Bachelor of Engineering Technology – Electrical (Level 7).
Mechanical Superintendent
Mechanical superintendents must have a Bachelor of Engineering – Mechanical (Level 7).
Personal requirements
Mine and quarry managers need to be:
- good leaders
- mature and responsible
- well-organised
- safety-conscious and able to remain calm in emergencies
- skilled at business and management processes
- excellent communicators.
Useful experience
Useful experience for mine and quarry managers includes:
- mine and quarry work
- engineering or surveying work
- supervision or management experience
- heavy vehicle and earthmoving experience
- accounting and finance management
- operating or repairing machinery.
Physical requirements
Mine and quarry managers need to have a good level of fitness and must be strong as they may check and repair heavy equipment.
Mine managers must pass a physical examination every six months.
Mine and quarry managers may also be required to do regular drug and alcohol tests.
Find out more about training
- MITO
- 0800 88 21 21 - www.mito.org.nz
What are the chances of getting a job?
Increased opportunities for mine managers likely
Opportunities for mine managers are average, but likely to increase due to:
- an expected price rise for coal and gold in 2018
- mine managers leaving to find better paid work in Australia
- an ageing workforce, so many managers will retire soon.
According to the Census, 414 mine/quarry managers worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Construction boom creates good demand for quarry managers
Opportunities for workers in the quarry industry are good, with a 3% increase in jobs since 2007.
This is due to a construction boom, which has created high demand for building materials such as aggregates (the rocks used to make concrete).
Chances of getting a job as a quarry manager are expected to stay good until 2023, as the demand for building materials continues and older quarry managers retire, leaving vacancies.
About 1,900 people work in quarrying.
Types of employers varied
Mine and quarry managers' employers vary from small quarries that employ two people to large quarries and mines that employ hundreds of staff.
Sources
- Collins, B, 'Everyone Wants to See Any Job Opportunity', 23 November 2017, (www.radionz.co.nz).
- Long, S, general manager, Energy Skills New Zealand, Careers Directorate – Tertiary Education Commission interview, April 2018.
- McDonald, L, 'Industries Fear Effects of New Government's Environmental Stance', 9 November 2017, (www.stuff.co.nz).
- MITO, 'Mining 2017', 2017, (www.mito.org.nz).
- MITO, 'Quarrying 2017', 2017, (www.mito.org.nz).
- Parton, R, chief executive officer, The Aggregate and Quarry Association of New Zealand, Careers Directorate – Tertiary Education Commission interview, March 2018.
- Radio New Zealand, 'Oil, Gas Exploration Move a "Kick in the Guts" for Taranaki – Mayor', 12 April 2018, (www.radionz.co.nz).
- Scanlon, L, 'Stockton Mine Workers to Keep Jobs', 28 June 2017, (www.odt.co.nz).
- Scott, W, chief executive officer, Minex National Health and Safety Council, Careers Directorate – Tertiary Education Commission interview, March 2018.
- Stats NZ, '2108 Census Data', 2019.
- Stats NZ, 'Primary Sector Weakens', 21 September 2017, (www.stats.govt.nz).
- Stuff, 'New Zealand's Coal Exports are on the Decline', 2 October 2017, (www.stuff.co.nz).
- World Bank, 'Commodity Prices Likely to Rise Further in 2018: World Bank', 26 October 2017, (www.worldbank.org).
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)
Progression and specialisations
Mine and quarry managers may progress to become members of boards of directors or head office managers.
They can specialise in a number of roles, including:
- Electrical Superintendent
- Electrical superintendents create plans for the safe use and installation of electrical equipment in a mine or quarry. They monitor electrical workers to ensure work is done safely and legally.
- Mechanical Superintendent
- Mechanical superintendents create plans for the safe use and installation of machinery in a mine or quarry. They monitor mine and quarry workers to ensure mechanical work is done safely and legally.
- Tunnel Manager/Underviewer
- Tunnel managers and underviewers are responsible for the health and safety of workers during shifts in underground coal mines. They take charge during emergencies.
Mine and quarry managers carry out safety checks with staff
Last updated 7 November 2023