Mining supervisors are the backbone of safe, productive mining operations. Responsible for managing crews, achieving production targets, and maintaining safety standards, this role demands a unique combination of operational expertise and leadership capability. With salaries ranging from $150,000 to $220,000+, supervisor roles represent a significant career step for experienced operators and leading hands.
Your resume needs to demonstrate more than just operational experience - it must showcase your leadership ability, safety record, and capacity to manage people and production simultaneously. This guide shows you how to create a mining supervisor resume that positions you for the next step in your career.
Quick Stats
Salary Range: $150,000 - $220,000+ (including FIFO allowances) Work Arrangement: FIFO (typically 2/1 or 8/6 rosters) Key Certifications: Supervisor's Certificate of Competency, Standard 11, First Aid
Mining Supervisor Resume Example
Brett Lawson
Open Cut Mining Supervisor
Professional Summary
Experienced open-cut mining supervisor with 12+ years in iron ore operations across the Pilbara region. Proven track record of managing crews of 20+ operators, achieving production targets, and maintaining zero LTI safety records. Progressed from haul truck operator to leading hand to supervisor through demonstrated leadership and operational excellence. Holds current Supervisor's Certificate of Competency and extensive experience with autonomous haulage integration, shift planning, and contractor management.
Employment History
Open Cut Mining Supervisor
Fortescue Metals Group, Pilbara, WA
- Supervise crew of 22 operators across haul trucks, excavators, dozers, and ancillary equipment on 2/1 FIFO roster
- Achieved 108% of production targets for 12 consecutive months while maintaining zero LTIs
- Manage daily shift plans, equipment allocation, and real-time operational adjustments
- Conduct toolbox talks, incident investigations, and safety observations averaging 15+ per swing
- Lead integration of autonomous haul trucks with manned fleet operations
Leading Hand / Acting Supervisor
Downer Mining, Newman, WA
- Supervised team of 12 operators during night shift operations at iron ore mine
- Coordinated with mine planning and technical services on dig block sequencing
- Managed equipment pre-starts, defect reporting, and maintenance scheduling
- Completed Supervisor's Certificate of Competency while in leading hand role
- Reduced equipment idle time by 18% through improved shift handover procedures
Haul Truck Operator / Leading Hand
BHP Iron Ore, Newman, WA
- Operated CAT 793 and Komatsu 930E haul trucks in large-scale iron ore operation
- Progressed to Leading Hand within 3 years based on safety record and leadership potential
- Trained and mentored 15+ new operators during probation periods
- Participated in continuous improvement initiatives reducing fuel consumption by 7%
Education
Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations (Supervision)
TAFE WA, Perth, WA
Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations
TAFE WA, Perth, WA
Certifications & Training
Skills
Bullet Point Assistant
1. What did you do?
2. What metric did you improve and in what time span?
3. Connect your action to your strategy.
Key Sections of a Mining Supervisor Resume
Professional Summary
Your summary must position you as a leader, not just an experienced operator. Employers want to see evidence of crew management, safety leadership, and production delivery.
Strong Summary Elements
- +Quantify crew sizes and production outcomes
- +Highlight safety record with specific metrics
- +Mention statutory qualifications upfront
- +Show career progression from operator to supervisor
Avoid These Weaknesses
- -Focus only on equipment operation experience
- -No leadership or management examples
- -Missing statutory certification details
- -Generic 'team player' statements
Employment History Tips
Supervisor resumes must demonstrate leadership outcomes, not just operational tasks. Focus on:
- People management - Crew sizes, training delivered, performance coaching
- Production results - Target achievement percentages, improvements delivered
- Safety leadership - LTI-free periods, observations conducted, incidents investigated
- Operational coordination - Shift planning, equipment allocation, mine planning liaison
Quantify Everything
Supervisors are judged on results. "Supervised mining operations" is weak. "Supervised crew of 22 operators achieving 108% of production targets while maintaining zero LTIs" tells the employer exactly what you can deliver.
Essential Certifications
Mining supervisor roles have statutory requirements that vary by state. Ensure you hold the relevant certificates.
Must-Have Certifications
- Supervisor's Certificate of Competency (state-specific)
- Certificate IV in Surface/Underground Extraction Operations
- Standard 11 (or state equivalent) Mining Induction
- HC Truck Licence
- ICAM or TapRoot Incident Investigation
- First Aid Certificate (preferably Senior First Aid)
- Working at Heights
- Frontline Leadership / Management qualification
Skills to Highlight
Essential Mining Supervisor Skills
Leadership & Management:
- Crew supervision (20+ personnel)
- Performance management and coaching
- Conflict resolution and team dynamics
- Training delivery and competency assessment
- Contractor and visitor management
Production & Planning:
- Shift planning and resource allocation
- Production target management
- Equipment utilisation optimisation
- Short-term mine planning coordination
- KPI tracking and reporting
Safety & Compliance:
- Safety leadership and behavioural safety
- Incident investigation (ICAM methodology)
- Toolbox talks and safety observations
- Critical control verification
- Emergency response coordination
Technical:
- Fleet management systems (Wenco, Modular, Jigsaw)
- Autonomous haulage system integration
- GPS machine guidance familiarity
- Mine planning software (basic understanding)
- Dispatch systems
Transitioning from Operator to Supervisor
Building Your Case for Promotion
The move from operator to supervisor is one of the biggest career transitions in mining. Your resume needs to show you're ready:
- Leading hand experience - Any acting or formal leading hand roles demonstrate you've been trusted with responsibility
- Training and mentoring - Evidence of developing others shows leadership capability
- Safety leadership - Proactive safety behaviours, hazard reports, and near-miss investigations
- Communication skills - Toolbox talk delivery, shift handovers, report writing
What Employers Look For
"When I'm hiring a supervisor, I look past the operational experience - I assume they can do the job. What I really want to see is how they handle people. Can they have a difficult conversation? Can they motivate a tired crew at 3am? Can they make a tough safety call that costs production? That's what separates a good operator from a good supervisor."
Key Differences Between Operator and Supervisor Resumes
| Operator Resume Focus | Supervisor Resume Focus |
|---|---|
| Equipment types operated | Crew sizes managed |
| Personal production metrics | Team production outcomes |
| Safety compliance | Safety leadership and culture |
| Following instructions | Making decisions and prioritising |
| Individual achievement | Team development and coaching |
Statutory Requirements by State
Mining supervisor roles have legal requirements that vary by jurisdiction:
Western Australia:
- Quarry Manager's Certificate of Competency or higher
- Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations (Supervision)
Queensland:
- Supervisor's Certificate of Competency (Surface or Underground)
- Issued by Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ)
New South Wales:
- Mining Supervisor Certificate of Competency
- Issued by NSW Resources Regulator
Get Certified Before Applying
Many aspiring supervisors wait for a supervisor role before getting their statutory qualifications. Do it the other way around - having your Certificate of Competency before applying shows initiative and removes a barrier for employers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Strong Resume Elements
- +Leadership examples with quantified outcomes
- +Statutory qualifications prominently displayed
- +Clear career progression narrative
- +Both safety and production metrics included
Weaknesses to Address
- -Resume reads like an experienced operator, not a leader
- -Missing Supervisor's Certificate of Competency
- -No crew sizes or production figures mentioned
- -Safety record not quantified
Ready to Step Up?
A mining supervisor resume must tell a story of progression, leadership, and results. Whether you're stepping up from a leading hand role or moving between companies, your resume should clearly demonstrate that you can manage people, deliver production, and lead a safe operation.
Next Steps
- Complete your Supervisor's Certificate of Competency if not already held
- Update your resume to emphasise leadership over operations
- Browse mining supervisor jobs on Resource Jobs
- Consider ICAM or leadership training to strengthen your credentials
Looking for more mining resume examples? Check out our guides for Haul Truck Operator, FIFO & Entry-Level Mining, Boilermaker, and Drill and Blast Operator roles.