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Mine Operator Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Mine Planner

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

The Role Mariana Minerals is looking for a highly motivated Senioe Mine Planner to lead strategic ... Strong communication skills and confidence operating as a senior technical authority * Experience ...

Plant Operator

Kosse, TX ยท On-site

$18 - $23/hr

This position is located in our mine location in Kosse, Texas. Plant Operators are solely ... responsible for the safe and efficient production of raw aggregate material into finished products.

Plant Operator

Kosse, TX ยท On-site

$18 - $23/hr

This position is located in our mine location in Kosse, Texas. Plant Operators are solely ... responsible for the safe and efficient production of raw aggregate material into finished products.

Forklift Operator

Kilgore, TX

$14 - $16.50/hr

MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) knowledge preferred. * Ability to safely operate ... Experience operating equipment such as front-end loaders, excavators, haul trucks, graders, dozers ...

Forklift Operator

Kilgore, TX ยท On-site

$14 - $16.50/hr

Forklift Operator The Forklift Operator is responsible for safely operating forklifts and other ... MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) knowledge preferred. * Ability to safely operate ...

Mine Safety and Health (MSHA) Knowledge - Preferred * Forklift experience - Preferred * Computer ... Performs operating adjustments and repairs as required. * Shuts down equipment in accordance with ...

We are currently seeking a Mobile Equipment Operator for our Streetman, TX plant. What You Will Get ... Load product and overburden in open pit mine. Attend scheduled departmental and safety meetings.

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Mine Operator information

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.

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.

Do mine operators make good money?

Mine operators typically earn a median annual salary that is higher than many other industrial jobs, with wages often ranging from $50,000 to $80,000 depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the operation. Additional certifications and operating heavy machinery can increase earning potential, and the job often involves shift work in challenging environments. Overall, mine operators are generally well-compensated for their skills and responsibilities.

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 most commonly searched types of Mine Operator jobs in Texas? The most popular types of Mine Operator jobs in Texas are:
Infographic showing various Mine Operator job openings in Texas as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Mine Planner

Mariana Minerals

Houston, TX โ€ข On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

About Mariana Minerals
Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company on a mission to supply the critical minerals powering modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. We're reimagining the minerals supply chain by combining deep industry expertise with advanced software, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
The Role
Mariana Minerals is looking for a highly motivated Senioe Mine Planner to lead strategic mine planning, opportunity evaluation, and long-range optimization across the company's portfolio of mining projects. This role is responsible for defining how mines are evaluated, designed, sequenced, and optimized-from early-stage concept evaluation through life-of-mine planning.
In this role, you will own long-range mine planning and multi-pit optimization efforts, setting the technical and analytical foundation for capital allocation, project prioritization, and development strategy. You will establish company-wide standards and best practices for short-, medium-, and long-term mine planning, ensuring consistency, rigor, and decision-quality across all assets.
This is a senior technical leadership role that sits at the intersection of geology, mine engineering, economics, and corporate strategy. You will influence what projects get built, how they are sequenced, and how value is maximized over time.
What You'll Do
Strategic Opportunity Evaluation
  • Lead technical mine planning input for project screening, opportunity evaluation, and portfolio-level decision making
  • Develop high-level mine concepts, production profiles, and sequencing options to support investment, acquisition, and development decisions
  • Partner with geology, metallurgy, and commercial teams to evaluate trade-offs between scale, timing, risk, and value

Long-Range Mine Planning & Optimization
  • Own and develop long-range (LOM) mine plans that maximize NPV, operational flexibility, and strategic optionality
  • Perform multi-pit optimization, phase sequencing, and cutback strategy development across complex deposits
  • Evaluate alternative development strategies, mining rates, and sequencing scenarios to support robust decision making

Enterprise Planning Standards & Governance
  • Define and maintain company-wide standards, methodologies, and assumptions for short-, medium-, and long-term mine planning
  • Establish consistent approaches to mine design, scheduling, economic evaluation, and scenario analysis across all projects
  • Review and challenge mine plans produced by internal teams and external consultants to ensure technical rigor and alignment with company standards

Cross-Functional Integration
  • Work closely with geology, geotechnical, processing, infrastructure, and operations teams to ensure mine plans are fully integrated and technically sound
  • Translate long-range strategic plans into clear planning frameworks that downstream engineering and operations teams can execute against
  • Serve as the technical authority for mine planning decisions across the organization

Technical Leadership & Capability Building
  • Mentor and guide mine planners and engineers across the company, raising the overall quality and consistency of planning work
  • Contribute to the development of internal tools, templates, and workflows that improve planning efficiency and decision quality
  • Stay current on industry best practices, software, and optimization techniques, bringing new ideas into the organization

Desired Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a closely related field (Master's preferred)
  • 5+ years of mine planning experience, with a strong emphasis on long-range planning, optimization, and strategic evaluation
  • Demonstrated expertise in pit optimization, phase design, sequencing, and economic trade-off analysis
  • Strong proficiency with modern mine planning and optimization tools (e.g., Deswik, Whittle, Vulcan, MinePlan, Leapfrog)
  • Experience evaluating complex, multi-pit or multi-deposit mining projects
  • Ability to think at both the technical and strategic level, connecting mine plans to capital decisions and long-term value creation
  • Strong communication skills and confidence operating as a senior technical authority
  • Experience working in fast-moving, project-driven or greenfield environments
  • Experience supporting early-stage studies (conceptual, PEA, PFS, FS) and corporate-level project evaluations
  • Professional Engineer (P.Eng or equivalent), or eligibility
Our culture is built on three principles:
Extreme Ownership - We take full responsibility for outcomes, relentlessly driving toward solutions.
Engineer Out Requirements, then Automate - We simplify, optimize, and then automate for scale.
Share Your Legos - We collaborate openly, share knowledge, and empower each other to build bigger, better solutions.
Join us as we build the future of responsible mineral sourcing and supply.