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Surface Mining Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sparrow Company

Mining Engineer

Victorville, CA · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

Working knowledge of surface mining methods and heavy mobile equipment. * Strong understanding of mine safety standards and regulatory requirements. * Proficiency with mine planning and design ...

Sparrow Company

Mining Engineer

Victorville, CA

Working knowledge of surface mining methods and heavy mobile equipment. * Strong understanding of mine safety standards and regulatory requirements. * Proficiency with mine planning and design ...

CalPortland

Mining Engineer

Jurupa Valley, CA · On-site

$105K - $135K/yr

Job Summary The Mining Engineer will assist the Mining Group in all aspects of mine engineering and ... Able to walk on all types of surfaces (uneven and/or slippery ground), climb stairs, ladders, and ...

Komatsu

Account Manager

Mojave, CA · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

The Account Manager will oversee key mining accounts, including large surface mining operations, while partnering closely with service, parts, and technical experts to ensure exceptional customer ...

CalPortland

Mining Engineer

Jurupa Valley, CA

$105K - $135K/yr

Job Summary The Mining Engineer will assist the Mining Group in all aspects of mine engineering and ... Able to walk on all types of surfaces (uneven and/or slippery ground), climb stairs, ladders, and ...

CalPortland

Mining Engineer

Jurupa Valley, CA · On-site

$105K - $135K/yr

Job Summary The Mining Engineer will assist the Mining Group in all aspects of mine engineering and ... Able to walk on all types of surfaces (uneven and/or slippery ground), climb stairs, ladders, and ...

SF Demo - Rio Tinto

Engineer II

Boron, CA · On-site

$92K - $126K/yr

... surface and groundwater issues across the mine. * Sharing and seeking out knowledge and best practices across the mining industry through collaborative forums, site visits, mentoring and training.

Rio Tinto

Engineer II

Boron, CA · On-site

$92K - $126K/yr

... surface and groundwater issues across the mine. * Sharing and seeking out knowledge and best practices across the mining industry through collaborative forums, site visits, mentoring and training.

Tetra Tech

Project/Senior Engineer

Diamond Bar, CA

$100K - $160K/yr

Our projects include dams, levees, surface mining and reclamation, landfill design, expansions and closures, brownfield redevelopments, infrastructure projects, landslides assessments and mitigations ...

Tetra Tech, Inc.

Project/Senior Engineer

Diamond Bar, CA · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

Our projects include dams, levees, surface mining and reclamation, landfill design, expansions and closures, brownfield redevelopments, infrastructure projects, landslides assessments and mitigations ...

Tetra Tech

Supervising Engineer

Diamond Bar, CA

$150K - $190K/yr

Our projects include dams, levees, surface mining and reclamation, landfill design, expansions and closures, brownfield redevelopments, infrastructure projects, landslides assessments and mitigations ...

County of Tehama

Planner I/II

Red Bluff, CA

$27.57 - $33.51/hr

It also processes permits and enforces state requirements for the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA). In addition, the Department functions as the Census Data Center for the County and ...

Tehama County, CA

Planner I/II

Red Bluff, CA · On-site

$30.43 - $36.99/hr

It also processes permits and enforces state requirements for the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA). In addition, the Department functions as the Census Data Center for the County and ...

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Surface Mining information

See California salary details

$17

$26

$33

How much do surface mining jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for surface mining in California is $26.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.03 and $29.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is surface mining?

Surface mining is a method of extracting minerals located close to the Earth's surface, as opposed to underground mining. It involves removing soil, rock, and other materials (overburden) to access the desired mineral deposits. Common types of surface mining include open-pit mining, strip mining, and quarrying. This method is widely used for mining coal, iron, copper, and various other minerals. Surface mining is generally more cost-effective and safer than underground mining, but it can have significant environmental impacts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in surface mining, and why are they important?

To thrive in Surface Mining, you need knowledge of mining techniques, equipment operation, and safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma or technical certification. Familiarity with heavy machinery, GPS surveying systems, and mining-specific software like MineSight or Surpac is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong problem-solving abilities are vital soft skills in this field. These skills ensure efficient, safe extraction of resources while minimizing environmental impact and maintaining regulatory compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by surface mining professionals, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Surface mining professionals often encounter challenges such as managing site safety, adapting to changing weather conditions, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. To address these, it's important to follow strict safety protocols, participate in regular training, and maintain clear communication with supervisors and team members. Additionally, staying up-to-date with the latest industry practices and technology helps professionals operate more efficiently and mitigate risks on the job.

What is the difference between Surface Mining vs Underground Mining?

AspectSurface MiningUnderground Mining
Work EnvironmentOpen pits, exposed to weatherUnderground tunnels and shafts
Required CertificationsMining safety training, heavy equipment operationMining safety training, underground safety protocols
Industry UsageCommon in coal, copper, and gold miningUsed for minerals like gold, silver, and zinc
Work ConditionsOutdoor, physically demanding, high visibilityConfined spaces, potentially hazardous

Surface Mining involves extracting minerals from open pits, offering outdoor work with heavy machinery. Underground Mining requires working in tunnels below the surface, with safety protocols for confined spaces. Both roles demand safety certifications and are vital in the mining industry, but differ mainly in environment and method of extraction.

What are the most commonly searched types of Surface Mining jobs in California?

The most popular types of Surface Mining jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Surface Mining jobs in California?

For Surface Mining jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Surface Mining jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Surface Mining jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Surface Mining jobs?

Cities in California with the most Surface Mining job openings:

Surface Mining jobs near you
Infographic showing various Surface Mining job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,088 per year, or $26.5 per hour.

Mining Engineer

Sparrow Company

Victorville, CA • On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Job Description: Mine Engineer
Reports To: Mine Manager
Position: Full-Time
Position Summary
The Mine Engineer is responsible for planning, designing, and optimizing safe, efficient, and cost-effective mining operations supporting cement raw material production. This role operates in a mining environment and works closely with the Mine Manager, operations, maintenance, geology, and environmental teams to ensure production targets are met while maintaining strict safety, quality, and regulatory compliance standards.
Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and maintain short-, medium-, and long-term mine plans for limestone and associated raw materials used in cement production.
  • Design mine layouts, pit phases, haul roads, benches, and blasting patterns to optimize production and material quality.
  • Prepare and update production schedules, forecasts, and reserve models.
  • Conduct geotechnical evaluations and slope stability analyses to ensure safe pit design.
  • Provide daily technical support to mining operations to improve productivity, equipment utilization, and cost control.
  • Analyze drilling, blasting, loading, and hauling performance; recommend improvements.
  • Monitor raw material quality and blending requirements in coordination with plant and quality teams.
  • Support site safety programs and ensure mine designs and operating plans comply with MSHA, environmental permits, and company standards.
  • Participate in incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action development.
  • Assist with permitting documentation, reclamation planning, and environmental monitoring as required.
  • Maintain mine engineering databases, drawings, and technical documentation.
  • Generate regular reports on production performance, costs, reserves, and key engineering metrics.
  • Utilize mine planning and design software to analyze data and support decision-making.
  • Work closely with the Mine Manager to support operational goals and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate with operations, maintenance, geology, and plant personnel to align mine output with cement plant requirements.
  • Support contractors and vendors related to drilling, blasting, surveying, and engineering services.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
  • 3-7+ years of mining engineering experience, preferably in cement, limestone, or aggregate mining.
  • Working knowledge of surface mining methods and heavy mobile equipment.
  • Strong understanding of mine safety standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Proficiency with mine planning and design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Micromine/Surpac, ArcGIS, or similar)
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain.
  • Experience working at remote mine sites.
  • Familiarity with drilling and blasting design and optimization.
  • Experience supporting cement plant raw material requirements and quality control.
  • Experience with greenfield mining, brownfield mining, pioneering, exploration and reclamation.

Work Environment & Conditions
  • Position requires on-site presence.
  • Exposure to active mining operations, heavy equipment, and varying weather conditions.
  • Travel within the site and occasional off-site travel may be required.
  • Must be able to work safely in a demanding industrial environment.

Physical & Safety Requirements
  • Ability to walk uneven terrain and access active mining areas.
  • Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment for self and others.

Apply