Stone Mining Machine Operator

ITI Stone Mining Machine Operator Syllabus (English)

Course Overview

• Trade Name: Stone Mining Machine Operator
• Duration: 1 Year (2 Semesters)
• NSQF Level: Level 4
• Eligibility: 10th Grade Pass with Science and Mathematics
• Objective: To train candidates in operating and maintaining stone mining machinery, including drilling, cutting, and material handling equipment, equipping them for roles as machine operators in quarries, mining industries, or self-employment in stone extraction and processing services.
• Certification: National Trade Certificate (NTC) by NCVT

Detailed Syllabus

Semester 1

Trade Theory

• Introduction to Stone Mining: Types of stones (marble, granite, sandstone, kota stone, slate), their chemical composition, physical characteristics, and uses.
• Safety Practices: PPE (helmets, gloves, safety boots), fire safety, handling explosives, working in dusty environments.
• Mining Operations Basics: Overburden removal, drilling, blasting, rock mass separation, block sizing.
• Tools and Instruments: Vernier caliper, micrometer, hacksaw, drills, taps, dies; their uses and maintenance.
• Stone Mining Machinery: Hydraulic jacks, jackhammers, wire saws, air bags, pneumatic water bags; setup and operation.
• Electrical Measuring Instruments: Ammeters, voltmeters, energy meters; their role in mining equipment.
• Material Handling: Principles of block excavation, transportation, and storage.

Trade Practical

• Safety Drills: Using PPE, securing blasting areas, practicing dust control measures, handling fire equipment.
• Fitting Operations: Filing, hacksawing, punching mild steel plates, ensuring ±0.5 mm accuracy.
• Instrument Use: Measuring stone blocks with vernier caliper and micrometer, drilling holes with hand tools.
• Machine Setup: Assembling hydraulic jacks, setting up wire saws for cutting, checking alignment.
• Drilling Practice: Operating jackhammers for hole creation, maintaining drill bits, ensuring hole alignment.
• Material Handling: Using slings and chains to move stone blocks, practicing safe lifting techniques.
• Project Work: Preparing a small stone block (e.g., 300x300 mm) by drilling and cutting, ensuring dimensional accuracy.

Hours: Theory: 160 hours | Practical: 240 hours

Semester 2

Trade Theory

• Advanced Mining Techniques: Wire saw cutting, blasting optimization, block sizing for transport.
• Heavy Machinery: Hydraulic excavators, front-end loaders, jib cranes, derrick cranes, mobile cranes; their operation and safety.
• Machinery Maintenance: Troubleshooting power generators, air compressors, hydraulic systems; lubrication schedules.
• Stone Analysis: Assessing stone deposits, identifying waste rock, ensuring quality for market.
• Environmental Practices: Dust suppression, waste rock management, minimizing ecological impact.
• Precision Tools: Setting up and calibrating vernier calipers, micrometers for block measurement.
• Entrepreneurship: Starting a stone mining operation, costing, trends in the stone industry.

Trade Practical

• Wire Saw Cutting: Operating wire saws to cut large stone blocks, ensuring straight cuts (±1 mm).
• Blasting Operations: Assisting in controlled blasting, securing areas, checking explosive alignment.
• Heavy Machinery Operation: Operating front-end loaders and hydraulic excavators to move overburden, maintaining logs.
• Crane Handling: Using jib cranes to lift stone blocks, ensuring load stability and safety.
• Maintenance Tasks: Overhauling air compressors, replacing hydraulic fluids, checking crane cables.
• Stone Sizing: Measuring and marking blocks for market specifications, using precision tools.
• Project Work: Excavating and sizing a stone block (e.g., 600x400 mm) using wire saws and cranes, with quality checks.

Hours: Theory: 160 hours | Practical: 240 hours

Additional Components

• Workshop Calculation and Science
  
  • Calculations: Block volume, material weight, drilling depth, explosive quantity estimation.
  • Science: Stone density, compressive strength, hydraulic pressure principles.
  • Hours: 80 hours/year
• Engineering Drawing
  
  • Drawings: Machine layouts, block cutting patterns, mining site plans.
  • Hours: 80 hours/year
• Employability Skills
  
  • Communication: Reporting machine status, coordinating with quarry teams, safety briefings.
  • IT Literacy: Using software for mining logs, GPS for site mapping, online equipment manuals.
  • Soft Skills: Time management, resume writing, interview preparation.
  • Hours: 60 hours/year

Assessment and Certification

• Exams:
  
  • Theory: Written exams per semester (MCQs, descriptive questions).
  • Practical: Tasks like operating wire saws, measuring blocks, maintaining machinery.
• Evaluation Criteria: Machine operation accuracy, safety adherence, block quality, maintenance skills.
• Certification: NCVT National Trade Certificate (NTC) upon passing both semesters, globally recognized.

Career Opportunities

• Employment: Machine operator in stone quarries, mining companies, or construction material suppliers.
• Self-Employment: Stone extraction services, equipment rental, freelance quarry operations.
• Further Studies: Diploma in Mining Technology, certifications in heavy machinery operation.