Shotcrete and Lunch

Well, these last two days have been full of firsts. Yesterday, I got to run the nozzle on the Shotcrete and holy cow. Such a butt kick! I also fell asleep for the first time underground. It wasn't long or very deep but definitely dozed off. Today, about and hour into shift, I ran over a lunchbox with the telehandler. Of course, it was mine. Luckily, my lunch was mostly okay. I also used the mine toilet underground for the first time and I'm going to try to avoid that lol

Shaft Sinking

Shaft Sinking is awesome!!! It's crazy how much engineering goes into it. Recently i've been working on the dump steel on the 4850 and it blows my mind. Anyway, I'm loving shaft sinking so far.

Couple weeks in...

Well, I'm really starting to earn my place with Cementation. I've ran a plugger a couple times and a jackleg once. I've also got to run a haul truck and load and fire a blast. That was cool. One thing I've learned so far is simple stuff; buy good equipment that will fit in the drifts, design drifts to accommodate needed utilities and such, talk to miners that will be working with what you design, and other things of course. I'm really having a blast. The labor is hard but oddly I like going to work. I have a great crew and they treat me good. I've also been able to get out on a ride and that was fun, it's beautiful up here...

New Hand

Well, I've been underground for 2 rotations now and I'm having a great time. So far I've ran a cement truck, shotcrete pump, scissors deck work truck, jackleg, and a plugger. The shaft won't start until around August so that's a bummer, but we're still doing fun things. We haven't had the opportunity to load or blast any holes yet but I'm sure we will soon. I can't wait to get more time on the jackleg and plugger. True hardrock mining there. The Galloway has 3 of 5 levels on it and the jumbo and clamshell are here also. So far I would like to have Cementation as a full-time employer. Well, I'll update soon.

Mullan

Well, we made it here. The house is much nicer than expected, so that's good. :-) I start work tomorrow at 5 a.m. and I'm excited. I hope Jeni doesn't freeze this summer; average temperature in July is 68 in Mullan. The drive was long but not unbearable. I'll update tomorrow.

Start Date

May 9th. That's when it all begins for this greenie. I'll only be doing my MSHA trainig but I will be onsite, so I'm excited for that. One thing that changes perspective and attitude is the fact that a miner has been trapped in Lucky Friday for 4 days now with no contact. 2 drillholes have been drilled and free air is entering the area but no sign of Larry Marek, yet. Keep faith and keep hoping and praying for him and family. Anyway, finals cannot come fast enough. I want to start ASAP at Lucky Friday. Field trip to Newmont's Leeville mine is Sunday; that will give me a little more hard rock exposure than last weeks Trona field trip. Updates to comes after Leeville.