Here at OceanaGold, our purpose is mining gold for a better future.
The ores we produce are essential to the renewable energy and transport sectors, as well as playing a part in life-saving medical devices and technology that connects communities around the world.
Each and every one of our roles plays an integral part in helping our mission and vision. Today, we’ll spotlight the role of a mining truck operator.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
Mining truck operators can be considered the backbone of site productivity, ensuring material flows efficiently beneath the surface. This is a boots-on-the-ground role that’s key to mining operations, combining skilled vehicle operation with safe, coordinated teamwork in a dynamic environment.
Some daily responsibilities include:
- Operate large underground vehicles, typically large haul trucks, under the direction of shift supervisors
- Conduct pre-start and shutdown inspections, maintain loading zones, and ensure vehicle housekeeping is up to standards
- Load and transport material safely through planned routes
- Communicate effectively with shift supervisors, loaders, and other team members—this role demands strong, clear interaction
Required Qualifications
If you’re curious about exactly what it is we look for, make sure you demonstrate to our Talent Acquisition team the following:
- A full, clean, current driver’s licence, with confidence in manual vehicle operation
- Relevant vehicle licence: each of our locations has a different kind of truck licence, which you’d need to be confident using
- Good communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a genuine interest in heavy machinery
- A safety-conscious attitude is essential
Your Career. Your Growth. Your Benefits.
When you join OceanaGold, you join us on a journey of growth where your career is valued, your contributions matter, and your future is supported.
Our benefits include:
- A competitive salary package
- A roster designed for work-life balance
- Discounted health benefits
- Celebrating our employees who embody our core values
- Retail and service discounts
- Employee assistance program
- Paid Parental Leave: 17 weeks paid leave in Australia and Canada, and 12 weeks paid leave at our operations
Challenges & Rewards
Before we expand on the challenges and rewards of our operator roles, a quick distinction between underground and open-pit mining.
Underground mining involves drilling and blasting, bogging, ground support, and hauling material from underground tunnels to the surface to be delivered to the ROM pad (run of mine). Open-pit mining, on the other hand, is where minerals are extracted from closer to the surface, from an open pit in the ground.
Depending on the pit you work at, the challenges and rewards might differ slightly, but generally, here’s what you can expect:
Rewards:
- A predictable 12-hour shift roster with solid downtime offers excellent work-life balance.
- Strong community feel, stemming from residential employment and team-based environments.
- Being integral to site operations—you’re directly ensuring productivity and safety levels remain high.
Challenges:
- 12-hour shifts require stamina, focus, and adaptability to confined, pressurised workspaces.
- Having a constant awareness of surroundings, procedural compliance, and equipment integrity is vital.
FAQs
How do I become a truck driver in the mines?
You typically require a full driver’s license (and a relevant heavy truck licence) and need to be confident driving a manual vehicle. It helps to show you have strong communication skills and work well in a team environment.
Finally, if you can demonstrate you’re safety-conscious with an interest in heavy machinery, it can help your application stand out from the crowd.
Can you do FIFO from New Zealand with OceanaGold?
At OceanaGold, Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO) arrangements with accommodation are usually only offered for roles based in the Philippines.
All other roles are residential-based and typically operate on a Drive-In-Drive-Out (DIDO) model. For our Macraes Operation in New Zealand, we offer a bus service from Dunedin to support commuting employees. This helps make residential roles more accessible for those living in the region.
Strive for Excellence and Continuous Improvement with OceanaGold
At OceanaGold, Mining Truck Operator jobs blend operational responsibility with a rewarding lifestyle and meaningful career development.
If you're driven, safety-focused, and ready for a role that's both technically and socially grounding, this could be your next career move.
Explore current openings and get behind the wheel of your next opportunity!
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