9231 – Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing

Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing, operate and monitor multi-function process control machinery and equipment to control the processing of mineral ores, metals or cement. They are employed in mineral ore and metal processing plants such as copper, lead and zinc refineries, uranium processing plants, steel mills, aluminum plants, precious metal refineries and cement processing plants.

Profile

Index of titles

Example titles

Alloy control operator – zinc casting

Bar mill finisher – primary metal processing

Billet mill roller – primary metal processing

Blast furnace operator

Blast furnaceman/woman

Blooming mill roller

Breakdown mill operator

Central control caster

Central control caster – primary metal processing

Central control operator – cement manufacturing

Central control room operator – primary metal and mineral products processing

Central control room operator – primary metal processing

Chief flotation operator

Chief operator – zinc pressure leach

Coke plant by-products operator

Cold mill operator – primary metal processing

Concentrator control room operator

Console operator – cement manufacturing

Continuous casting operator – primary metal processing

Control room furnace operator – smelter

Control room operator – primary metal processing

Copper melter

Copper refinery operator

Crucible furnace operator

Crusher control room operator

Cupola furnace operator – primary metal processing

Dross furnace operator

Electric arc furnace operator – primary metal processing

Electric furnace operator – primary metal and mineral products processing

Electrolytic refinery process operator

Furnace operator – primary metal and mineral products processing

Head charger

Heater – primary metal processing

Hot mill roller – primary metal processing

Induction furnace operator – mineral and metal processing

Ion exchange operator

Lead-refining furnace operator

Melter – primary metal processing

Metal heater – primary metal processing

Metal heater operator

Metal melter

Metal roaster – primary metal processing

Metal smelter

Molybdenum roaster operator

Nuclear fuel processor

Open-flame furnace operator – primary metal processing

Ore roaster

Oxygen furnace operator – primary metal processing

Panel board operator – primary metal and mineral products processing

Pelletizing control operator

Perlite expander control panel operator – mineral products processing

Process operator – primary metal and mineral products processing

Process operator – zinc pressure leach

Purity control operator – zinc leaching

Refinery process operator – primary metal processing

Reverberatory furnace operator – primary metal processing

Roaster operator – primary metal processing

Rolling mill control operator

Rolling mill control operator – primary metal processing

Slabbing mill roller – primary metal processing

Slurry controller – primary metal processing

Smelting furnace operator – primary metal processing

Steel heater operator

Steel-degasser process operator

Vacuum furnace operator – primary metal processing

Vacuum-degasser process operator – primary metal processing

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Co-ordinate and monitor the operation of a particular aspect of mineral ore, metal and cement processing production through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems, usually from a central control room

Operate multi-function central process control machinery to grind, separate, filter, melt, roast, treat, refine or otherwise process mineral ores

Observe computer printouts, video monitors and gauges to verify specified processing conditions and to make necessary adjustments

Co-ordinate and supervise production crew such as machine and process operators, tenders, assistants and helpers

Start up and shut down the production system in cases of emergency or as required by schedule

Provide or organize training for members of production crew

Maintain shift log of production and other data and prepare production and other reports.

Employment requirements

Completion of secondary school is required.

A college diploma may be required for some positions in this group.

On-the-job training is provided.

Several years of experience as a machine or process operator, usually in the same company or production department, are required.

Additional information

There is little mobility among the various types of central control and process operators within the mineral and metal processing industry.

With experience, central control and process operators may progress to supervisory positions in mineral and metal processing.

Exclusions

Foundry furnace operators and casters (in 9412 Foundry workers)

Machine operators, mineral and metal processing (9411)

Supervisors, mineral and metal processing (9211)