The Conveyor Belt Mechanic is responsible for the installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of conveyor belt systems used to remove excavated material (muck) from the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) to the surface. Conveyor systems are critical to TBM performance, enabling continuous excavation and high daily advance rates. The mechanic ensures the conveyor operates safely, efficiently, and reliably across curved alignments, long distances, steep gradients, and high‑capacity muck transport conditions.
This role supports 24/7 TBM operations and requires working underground in confined, noisy, and dynamic conditions.
Key Responsibilities
- Install and assemble conveyor structures, frames, rollers, belt storage units, stacking systems, and vertical/horizontal belt interfaces as tunnelling progresses.
- Align and tension conveyor belts to ensure smooth operation, especially through curves, steep gradients, and long tunnel runs.
- Support expansion of the belt line as tunnelling advances, including adding belt storage segments and installing booster drives.
- Conduct regular inspections on belts, drives, rollers, take‑up units, pulleys, and belt tracking systems.
- Identify wear, damage, misalignment, or mechanical issues and perform corrective maintenance to prevent downtime.
- Perform belt splicing, patching, and replacement of worn components.
- Maintain booster drives, hydraulic tensioning systems, and drive motors for long‑distance conveying.
- Monitor belt performance during mining operations and adjust belt speed, tension, and alignment as needed.
- Maintain the conveyor interface inside the TBM backup system, ensuring efficient loading of muck onto the belt.
- Work with TBM mechanics and operators to synchronize conveyor output with TBM production rate.
- Support muck extraction logistics, including preventing blockages, spills, or carryback.
- Follow all Ontario OHSA tunnelling safety requirements, including confined‑space procedures, ventilation rules, and underground hazard mitigation.
- Ensure safety guards, emergency stop systems, and communication devices are functional.
- Maintain clean work areas along the conveyor line, storage caverns, and TBM conveyor deck.
- Complete maintenance logs, inspection reports, repair records, and parts usage forms.
- Communicate mechanical issues promptly to shift supervisors, TBM crews, and maintenance leads.
- Coordinate with logistics and electrical teams during belt extensions or shutdowns.