ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Mine Operator Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Freeport McMoRan

Mine Diagnostic Electrician

Empire, CO · On-site

$33 - $45.50/hr

The Henderson mine is an underground molybdenum mining operation located approximately 42 miles ... Follow Standard Operating Procedues (SOP) and work area instructions, participate in safety and ...

Freeport McMoRan

Mine Diagnostic Electrician

Empire, CO · On-site

$33 - $45.50/hr

Where You Will Work Our Henderson mine and mill are an hour drive apart - separated by the ... Standard Operating Procedues (SOP) and work area instructions, participate in safety and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsMine Operator JobsMine Operator Jobs in Colorado

Mine Operator information

See Colorado salary details

$9

$31

$54

How much do mine operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for mine operator in Colorado is $31.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $39.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mine operator?

Mine operators are professionals responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a mine, ensuring that minerals or other geological materials are extracted safely and efficiently. They monitor mining equipment, enforce safety protocols, and coordinate with engineers and other workers to maintain production targets. Mine operators may also be involved in planning, reporting, and ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations. Their role is crucial to the smooth and safe functioning of mining sites.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mine operator?

To thrive as a Mine Operator, you need a solid understanding of mining operations, equipment handling, and safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent and relevant training. Familiarity with heavy machinery, mine-specific software, and certifications such as MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) are typically required. Attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work well in a team are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient, and productive mining operations while minimizing risks and maintaining regulatory compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by mine operators on a daily basis?

Mine Operators often encounter challenges such as working in physically demanding environments, adhering to strict safety protocols, and adapting to varying weather or underground conditions. They must stay vigilant to identify and report potential hazards, and they frequently collaborate with engineers, maintenance teams, and safety officers to ensure smooth operations. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are crucial, as unexpected equipment issues or changes in production schedules can require quick adjustments.

What is the difference between Mine Operator vs Heavy Equipment Operator?

AspectMine OperatorHeavy Equipment Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma, safety certifications, equipment-specific trainingHigh school diploma, safety certifications, equipment-specific training
Work EnvironmentMining sites, underground or surfaceConstruction sites, mining, industrial facilities
Industry UsageMining industry primarilyConstruction, mining, agriculture, industrial

Both Mine Operators and Heavy Equipment Operators require similar certifications and work in related environments. However, Mine Operators focus specifically on operating machinery within mining operations, often overseeing the process, while Heavy Equipment Operators work across various industries handling different types of heavy machinery. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers target the right roles in the mining and construction sectors.

Do mine operators make good money?

Mine operators typically earn competitive wages that vary based on experience, location, and the complexity of the mining operation. According to industry data, the median annual salary for mine operators is around $60,000 to $70,000, with some earning over $80,000 with experience and certifications. Overtime, shift work, and safety requirements are common in this field, which can also impact earnings.

Is it hard to get a job as a mine operator?

Getting a job as a mine operator can be competitive and typically requires relevant experience, safety training, and sometimes certifications. Employers often look for skills in equipment operation, knowledge of safety protocols, and physical fitness, with opportunities available in mining regions and companies that prioritize safety standards.

What are popular job titles related to Mine Operator jobs in Colorado?

For Mine Operator jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Mine Operator jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Mine Operator jobs in Colorado are:

Mine Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mine Operator job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 50% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,897 per year, or $31.2 per hour.

Open-Pit and Underground Mine Planning Leads - Remote

Axyde Analytics

Denver, CO • On-site, Remote

$150 - $300/hr

Part-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Work arrangement: Remote within the United States, with potential international travel
Engagement: Contingent, part-time/on-call specialist
Anticipated compensation: $150-$300 per hour, depending on qualifications and assignment, or a negotiated fixed price by work package. $300 per hour is the maximum anticipated rate.
Opportunity
Axyde Analytics is assembling a multidisciplinary expert team for anticipated U.S. government-funded project-scoping assignments involving critical minerals and international infrastructure.
We seek senior mining engineers and mine-planning specialists capable of evaluating open-pit, underground, restart, expansion and integrated mine-to-processing projects.
Potential assignments may involve early-stage resource development, operating mines, brownfield expansions, mine restarts, tailings reprocessing, underground conversions or associated infrastructure. Selected specialists may serve as assignment leads, mining-discipline leads, contributors, alternates or independent technical reviewers.
Specialist Tracks
We are recruiting experts in one or more of the following tracks:
  • Open-pit optimization, design and phase development
  • Underground method selection and mine design
  • Strategic and life-of-mine planning
  • Short- and medium-range production planning
  • Resource-to-reserve conversion and modifying factors
  • Cutoff grade, dilution, ore loss and stockpile strategy
  • Fleet selection, productivity and equipment utilization
  • Drill-and-blast design and fragmentation
  • Underground access, shafts, declines and materials handling
  • Ventilation, refrigeration and underground services
  • Backfill, ground support and geotechnical interfaces
  • Mine dewatering and water-management interfaces
  • Mine-to-mill integration and feed blending
  • Waste-rock, tailings and closure integration
  • Mine restart, expansion and debottlenecking
  • Mine operating-cost and capital-cost development
  • Schedule, ramp-up and production-risk analysis
  • Independent mine-plan and feasibility-study review

Potential Responsibilities
Depending on the assignment and specialist track, selected experts may:
  • Evaluate resource confidence, mineability and the basis for production assumptions.
  • Review pit optimization, phases, pushbacks, underground layouts and method selection.
  • Assess cutoff grades, dilution, ore loss, recovery, blending and stockpile strategies.
  • Review development schedules, production sequencing, ramp-up and steady-state capacity.
  • Evaluate fleet selection, cycle times, productivity, utilization and maintenance assumptions.
  • Assess drill-and-blast, loading, hauling, hoisting, ventilation and materials-handling requirements.
  • Review geotechnical, hydrogeological, ground-control and dewatering constraints.
  • Evaluate mine-to-mill interfaces, feed variability and processing-plant requirements.
  • Review waste-rock, tailings, water, closure and rehabilitation implications.
  • Assess workforce, contractor, consumable, maintenance and site-support requirements.
  • Evaluate operating-mine data, reconciliation and benchmark assumptions.
  • Review restart condition, maintenance backlog, rehabilitation and working-capital requirements.
  • Identify fatal flaws, decisive evidence gaps and additional studies required before advancement.
  • Contribute to mine capital costs, operating costs, schedules and project cash-flow assumptions.
  • Evaluate mine-plan sensitivity to grade, recovery, productivity, cost and schedule changes.
  • Identify realistic opportunities for U.S. mining equipment, engineering, technology and services.
  • Develop or review mining tasks for feasibility-study or technical-assistance terms of reference.
  • Participate in sponsor, operator, government, engineering, supplier or financing-source discussions.
  • Support international meetings, site visits and field verification when required.
  • Prepare concise mining findings and recommendations for senior government decision-makers.
  • Serve as an assignment lead, mining-discipline lead, contributor, same-discipline alternate or independent reviewer.

Required Qualifications
Candidates should possess:
  • At least 10 years of directly relevant mining-engineering or mine-planning experience, with greater experience preferred for lead and independent-review roles.
  • A degree in mining engineering or a closely related discipline.
  • Direct responsibility for identifiable open-pit or underground mines, feasibility studies, expansions, restarts or operating-improvement assignments.
  • Demonstrated ability to connect resource confidence, mine design, production schedule, equipment, processing feed, cost and risk.
  • Experience developing or independently reviewing mine plans, schedules, production models, equipment assumptions and cost estimates.
  • Familiarity with recognized mine-planning software and the ability to evaluate model assumptions rather than merely operate software.
  • Strong written and verbal English-language communication skills.
  • Ability to prepare concise, decision-oriented technical work.
  • Ability to collaborate across geology, geotechnical, processing, tailings, environmental, commercial and financial disciplines.
  • Either U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent-resident status in the United States.
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.
  • Willingness and ability to travel internationally when an assignment requires it.
  • No known employment, confidentiality, intellectual-property, noncompete or conflict-of-interest restriction that would prevent participation.

Professional Engineer, Qualified Person or comparable professional credentials are advantageous but not mandatory when supported by substantial relevant operating and project experience.
Application Information Requested
Please submit a résumé and a brief response identifying:
  1. Whether your primary expertise is open-pit mining, underground mining or both.
  2. The commodities, deposit types and mining methods with which you have direct experience.
  3. Up to five representative mines, projects or studies and your personal responsibilities on each.
  4. The development stages you have supported, including scoping, prefeasibility, feasibility, design, construction, commissioning, operations, restart or expansion.
  5. Your experience developing or reviewing mine plans, production schedules, equipment assumptions and costs.
  6. The mine-planning software and analytical tools you are qualified to use or review.
  7. Countries and regions in which you have worked.
  8. Whether you can serve as an assignment lead, mining-discipline lead, independent reviewer, or a combination of these functions.
  9. Your current U.S. location.
  10. Whether you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
  11. Your availability during the next 30 days.
  12. Your ability to travel internationally and any geographic restrictions.
  13. Your anticipated hourly rate.
  14. Any actual or potential conflicts involving governments, project sponsors, mining companies, engineering firms, equipment suppliers or current employers.

Engagement Conditions
This is a contingent opportunity supporting anticipated government-funded assignments. No employment, contract award, minimum workload or particular assignment is guaranteed.
Selection for an assignment will depend on contract award, mine type and project requirements, qualifications, availability, eligibility, conflicts, travel requirements, mutually acceptable compensation and execution of appropriate employment or consulting documentation.
Axyde may tailor and reformat selected résumés for proposal compliance without materially changing the candidate's qualifications or experience.
Axyde Analytics
Strategic minerals •Supply-chain security •U.S. industrial base

Apply