Miner

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I work on charging at the mine, such as drilling holes for explosives and installing explosives. Drilling work is done alone, and in charging, I work with a partner. In addition, I assist other chargers and blasters in the mine as necessary, such as with transporting tools and ensuring that the blast area is emptied of workers. During the summer season, my tasks also include pumping and removing water from the drilling site if water has accumulated in the area.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

I was in Lebanon as a peacekeeper between 2012 and 2013, during which I started thinking about my future profession. I read in the local newspaper that Outokumpu starts adult education in the mining sector. I applied for the education and got selected. I got an internship at Polvijärvi mine in the neighbouring area, where I got a job as soon as I had completed the training.

Describe your typical working day or week.

The week starts with the foreman sending me a worklist with the planned work order. The plan may change rapidly if any tool breaks or the mine's other work order changes.

When I work with a partner, one of us drills holes and the other follows and puts the primers in place. In the quarry field, several hundred holes may be needed in one large area, and it takes several working days for such an amount to be charged and the primers to be set in. I like doing various tasks, even if it requires learning new things.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

I work outside, so I have to dress according to the weather. Drilling generates noise, and during the summer, rock drilling causes dust. I use hearing protectors for drilling work, and if I work on the edge of a quarry, I also use safety harnesses.

My working week is always the same length. It starts on Tuesday and lasts until the next Monday. I will start work on Tuesday morning at 6 a.m., and I will work until 6 p.m., which means that my shift lasts 12 hours. I work 80 hours a week, and then I have a week off. 

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

Mining is physically strenuous, so it is important to be in good condition. For example, an explosives box weighs 20–25 kg, and one large drill bit can weigh more than 10 kg.

Much attention must be paid to occupational safety. You must be careful and calm with explosives and know what you are doing when handling them. There are different types of courses for charging and handling explosives, such as the hot work course or the senior charger course. You must also be careful in a mine tunnel, as rocks may fall out of the cliff or the tunnel may collapse.

What is the best thing about your profession?

The best part is the versatility of the work tasks and the fact that my employer gives me the opportunity to learn new things. I believe that this will also benefit the employer.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

It is hard to work 80 hours every other week. It is difficult to have a relationship with a rhythm of life like this.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of a miner?

If, on the basis of this presentation, the work is of interest, I recommend this profession. The studies allow you to work in the mining sector, after which you can train more and learn new tasks at work.

How do you see the future of your profession?

The future looks bright. The automation of drilling cars has been tried and I think that is a good thing, because robots make dangerous work stages safer. I believe that there will be plenty of work in this sector in the future as well, because at least gold, silver and copper are needed for industrial use also in the future. Today, mining needs to be planned together with environmental protection experts, considering the views of both parties. 

Photo: Ilona Savitie