SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Helpers--Extraction Workers

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Continuous Miner Operator Helper
  • Driller Helper
  • Driller's Assistant
  • Longwall Machine Operator Helper
  • Miner Helper
  • Powderman
  • Salt Miner
Take the free assessment Compare salaries

What do Helpers--Extraction Workers do?

Helpers--Extraction Workers assist extraction workers, such as oil and gas drillers, by performing various tasks that support the extraction process. Their duties often include supplying equipment and materials, collecting samples, cleaning and maintaining equipment, and performing tasks in support of drilling or mining operations. These workers may operate machinery, set up equipment, and transport materials or debris. Helpers--Extraction Workers are typically employed in the mining, oil, and gas extraction industries, where their role is vital for ensuring smooth operations and compliance with safety regulations. They work in physically demanding environments and must be able to follow safety protocols to minimize risks associated with extraction activities.

What the work actually is

  • Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.
  • Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites.
  • Unload materials, devices, and machine parts, using hand tools.
  • Set up and adjust equipment used to excavate geological materials.
  • Organize materials to prepare for use.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Equipment Maintenance Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Repairing Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Abilities

  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Reaction Time The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

Knowledge

  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Transportation Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

✨ JobCopilot - Smart Job Matching

Find jobs that match your skills with AI-powered search

Search Jobs Now

How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
Associate's degree

A normal week

  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Word processing software Google Docs · Microsoft Word
  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Electronic mail software Microsoft Outlook
  • Office suite software Microsoft Office software
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Tools

  • Detonators Electrical detonators · Remote firing devices
  • Two way radios Mobile radios
  • Pneumatic rock drills Power rock coring drills
  • Front end loaders Four-wheel drive front end loaders
  • Boring or sinking machinery Hydraulic boring machines

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

🚀 Find Your Dream Job with JobCopilot

AI-powered job search that matches you with opportunities tailored to your skills and career goals.

Start Job Search

Does this career fit you?

A free assessment matches your answers to careers, and shows the salary that goes with each one.

Start free

Questions people ask

How much do Helpers--Extraction Workers earn in South Africa?

Helpers--Extraction Workers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Helpers--Extraction Workers do?

Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems, Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites and Unload materials, devices, and machine parts, using hand tools.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.