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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.

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.

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.

MITO

0800 88 21 21 - www.mito.org.nz

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 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.