Glossary
Mining Machine Operator Terms & Vocabulary
15 essential mining machine operator terms with plain-English definitions: the vocabulary you’ll hear in training and on day one.
Key mining machine operator vocabulary
These 15 terms come up constantly in mining machine operator training, on the job and in interviews. Knowing them helps you follow instructions, document accurately and sound prepared.
- Brattice
- A curtain that directs air.
- Continuous miner
- A machine that cuts and loads.
- Face
- Where coal or ore is cut.
- Fire boss
- Examines mine conditions.
- Mantrip
- Vehicle that carries miners.
- Methane
- Explosive gas found in coal mines.
- MSHA
- Mine Safety and Health Administration.
- Permissible equipment
- Equipment approved for gassy mines.
- Pillar
- Coal left to support the roof.
- Rock dust
- Limestone dust that prevents explosions.
- Roof bolting
- Securing the mine roof.
- Section
- An active mining area.
- Self-rescuer
- A breathing device for emergencies.
- Shuttle car
- Moves coal from the miner.
- Ventilation plan
- How air moves through the mine.
Practice these terms
Test yourself with the free Mining Machine Operator practice test: it includes vocabulary questions built from this list. For a complete course, see Mining Machine Operator training.
Browse terms from every career in our career glossary.