mechanic

miner

operator

electrician

tradesman

Peabody Energy

•	Project Manager (1990 to 1998) - Managed the development and the maintenance of company-wide Engineering and Environmental programs, utilizing various consulting groups to develop an effective, automated processing system for mapping, display, reporting and decision making support for Peabody’s Environmental and Engineering Departments (200+ people including hydrologists, soil and vegetation specialists, bird and wildlife specialists, etc.).  This program was initiated to facilitate the collection of complex multi-media reporting mandated by 18 regulatory and tribal agencies, as well as Peabody’s own internal auditing department.
•	Senior Environmental Engineer (1987 to 1990) - Designed, certified and constructed dams, sedimentation ponds, roads, and an airport. Provided the knowledge to protect the environment from the potentially harmful effect of mining activities, in protecting human populations from the effects of structure under design and adverse environmental factors caused by polluted water, air and soil. Provided geotechnical services including air, water and soil monitoring, managed consultants in performing various projects such as erosion control and stabilization, aquifer modeling and monitoring.
•	Supervisor of Operations Engineering (Surveying & CADD, 1981 to 1987) - Assigned and coordinated daily tasks for groups of engineers/surveyors/drafters for a 12 million tons/yr surface coal mine.  Directed engineering projects for determination of volumetric drilling, shooting, and cast blasting (coal, dirt, royalties, etc.). Replaced dragline heavy buckets with innovative designs and lighter alloys, increasing the bucket size from 90cyd to 120cyd, resulting in tremendous cost savings.

Typical day starts at 4:30 AM with two pots of coffee made and looking at equipment positions from the previous day. Determining the amount moved and looking ahead to address the morning shift change.
The work place is highly dynamic and I was able to communicate and collaborate to achieve results. I learned that with "listening without the intent to reply" I fully understood the question, restrictions in place, and planned a action to resolve whatever hurdle we faced.
I respected the management to a large extent. I realize at times their responsibilities proved to be a daunting task. I learned through observation how to handle conflict and pushback to to build cooperation and get the desired result.
My coworkers were the best I could have had. However I feel that way everywhere I have worked. Great co-workers will pick up the ball when it gets dropped as would I when one of them did the same thing. That didn't happen but once in awhile however, it was a great asset to know when the chips were down we had each others back.
The hardest part of the job was trying to cover the entire mine through the workday. The mine was immense, as it is be the largest coal mine in the world. There were times where one person couldn't reach all the places one would have to go. There were times I would spend 12 to 14 hours just to get 3/4 of everything done.
The most enjoyable part was when you saw completion of a shot, dug bench, or finished coal pit and then the process starts all over again. At the end of my tenure there, I looked at the maps of where things started and ended and what an amazing ride it was.

When I transferred to this position, Peabody had just started their training center. My assignment was to launch, develop and implement a maintenance training program designed to make our technicians more efficient at troubleshooting and repairing our mining equipment, to increase equipment availability and lower maintenance cost, while at the same time reducing lost time accidents and equipment damage. 

I learned to maintain and repair heavy equipment and more importantly how convey this information to others.

Management was mostly good.

Hardest part of the job was to learn to use computers and electronic equipment. Also passing the MSHA electrical certification test. 

The most enjoyable part was passing my knowledge and experience on to the younger generation and knowing how much it will help them and the company.

I rate them number one in coal,the people are good to get along with,also best of all safety is number 1,good safety classes, management also best , holiday off,good overtime,!?!!short drive to work,but no snow days off in Winter no more,machine need up keep, they expect clean machine witch is good,out in time to punch time clock, never late,give u pto hour put in when u want,2 vacation a year,pto left over,to put extension hours in,pay. Off the time not use at end of year,wich is good time earn over the year to earn over the yr,any body see unsafe action,let u know for enprovement,most works are happy,so it will be happy environment,easy get on,for training,work with u,road are rough,just tell them they will fix,good set up in morning to get your orders,meeting in co building,for safty,safety contacts ever morning,about home or work place,wich is good a reminder to u not to do,are could be a injury are plus,

The pay is good but that's all they company has to offer and you have to fight for that. You'll get minimal training in equipment and be expected to perform like you've done it for years. The insurance is $550 a month for a family with high deductibles and if your spouse can get insurance from their employer but is on your plan is an addition $100. Raises are minimal or non existent. The schedule is a,b,c,d groups but subject to change whenever they feel like it. No paid holidays, you get PTO time, and only 14 people are allowed off per day. If you get sick or need a day off you have to give 24hrs notice. 10hr shifts with no lunch break. If you enjoy time off or seeing your family look somewhere else. This only applies to the mine I work at and every mine is different. 

The only positive aspects are running some of the largest equipment made if its running right.  

 

A typical work day is pretty fast paced and non stop.  I've learned a lot from my time with the company and became one of there best in Maintenance do to my hard work and the training they provided throughout the 14 years as a employee for Peabody Energy.  You become pretty close to your co-workers and everybody was always willing to help another if needed to which was great.  Honestly every part of my day is hard.  Always troubleshooting problems, fixing machines, dealing with electrical issues.  The most enjoyable part of my day was taking a shower after my shift was over because i knew i was going home to spend time with my family.  The reason i'm going to leave is because of the wear and tear on my body.  It's just time to move on.

Most employees are very politically conservative, and can be fairly outspoken about it. But being a quiet person, this has not obstructed my liberal views in any way. The people are friendly and helpful overall. Management is supportive. Although in the current climate, they are extremely cost-conscious. Not necessarily a bad thing, but up until a handful of years ago it seemed like spending money wasn't an issue. It's been a good place to work. Management has been very understanding that family comes first.

They don’t hire on temps very often start at another mine if u can boys I got 4 months up in there the only one hired was female because the law says you have to there was a lot of good men temping down there till they got experience I seen expletives not by choice there and those were the bosses favorites so you know I didn’t snitch for my career sake                    Don’t put your family in this situation you could be outa work. I gave two weeks to hr so the top boss couldn’t tell me to leave right away but he did three days later messed up my family’s income...and told me I didn’t live where I do whatever be safe boys god bless the coal miner.    ⛏👍🏼

supervisor would line us out our daily work schedule either as a driller or shooter.the drills were PV271 and the prell trucks were side augers toped off at 29,000 lbs of explosives.Learned how to drill 20 degree angle holes at 120ft. Different patterns were envolve also mangement encouraged safety first and production followed.my coworkers worked hard daily to get the job done there were 13 on the crew.Elements were the hardest part of the job rain,snow and the wind.Enjoyable part was finishing the pit,hiwall or casting the shot.

Work was always challenging with the shear size of the mine and the broad nature of the environmental issues that would arise daily. Enjoyed learning the Native American culture and past traditions that Peabody tried to assist with. 

The daily commute was sometimes tiring as the mine site was 140 miles from where we lived and the company provided daily flights on the company plane.

Enjoyed working with everyone during my time with Peabody and have made many friends that will continue to be friends long after my employment.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Mechanic 1 salary reported	$39.28 per hour
Miner 4 salaries reported	$40.39 per hour
Operator 2 salaries reported	$36.75 per hour
Electrician 1 salary reported	$39.49 per hour
Tradesman 1 salary reported	$42.10 per hour

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