This is what an underground copper miner's 18-hour day looks like, from loading explosives into a truck to 'hunting' for dinosaurs

Aaron MokApr 1, 2023, 18:06 IST

Underground miner Cory Rockwell before (left) and after his shift at Nevada Copper.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Cory Rockwell is an underground miner at Nevada Copper in the town of Yerington, Nevada.
He works 12-hour shifts for seven days straight under tough conditions and makes six-figures.

This as-told-to essay is based on e-mail exchanges with Cory Rockwell, a 38-year-old underground miner at Nevada Copper, a copper mine based in Yerington, Nevada. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Every other week, I work seven days straight as an underground miner at Nevada Copper, a copper mine based in Yerington. This is what a typical work day looks like.

A selfie of Cory Rockwell at Nevada Copper, an underground copper mine in rural Nevada.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

I woke up at 2:50 a.m. on a Sunday after a week-long break. The first day back is always the roughest. I absolutely love mining, but waking up this early always has me questioning my life choices.

Rockwell woke up at 2:50 a.m. on Sunday for his first shift of the week.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

I woke up at 2:50 a.m. on a Sunday after a week-long break. The first day back is always the roughest. I absolutely love mining, but waking up this early always has me questioning my life choices.

Time to start the scariest, most dangerous part of my day: driving to work. I left Reno at 3:10 a.m. for my one-hour-and-45-minute drive to the mine. Most mines are out in the middle of nowhere, where there's lots of two-lane highways, semi-trucks, and animals on the way.

Rockwell left his house in Reno, Nevada at 3:15 a.m. to drive to his mining site.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Time to start the scariest, most dangerous part of my day: driving to work. I left Reno at 3:10 a.m. for my one-hour-and-45-minute drive to the mine. Most mines are out in the middle of nowhere, where there's lots of two-lane highways, semi-trucks, and animals on the way.

During my drive, I sometimes fantasize about having a normal office job, so I can get a full eight hours of sleep every night, but I can't make this money anywhere else, so I vape and listen to podcasts to keep me awake. When I got to Yerington close to 5 a.m., I stopped at the gas station to get my second Red Bull of the day.

A Google Maps screenshot of Rockwell's commute from his home in Reno, Nevada to the mine.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

During my drive, I sometimes fantasize about having a normal office job, so I can get a full eight hours of sleep every night, but I can't make this money anywhere else, so I vape and listen to podcasts to keep me awake. When I got to Yerington close to 5 a.m., I stopped at the gas station to get my second Red Bull of the day.

I got to the mine at 5:20 a.m. I went to the locker room and chatted with a few fellas for 30 minutes while we all get dressed — or what we like to call "diggered out."

Rockwell "diggered out" in the locker room before his shift starts.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

I got to the mine at 5:20 a.m. I went to the locker room and chatted with a few fellas for 30 minutes while we all get dressed — or what we like to call "diggered out."

At 6 a.m., the miners meet in what we call the "line out room" where we get our assignments for the day, discuss issues, talk about safety, and crack the occasional joke. A typical meeting only takes 15 minutes.

Rockwell attends a morning meeting at the mine site before he goes underground.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

At 6 a.m., the miners meet in what we call the "line out room" where we get our assignments for the day, discuss issues, talk about safety, and crack the occasional joke. A typical meeting only takes 15 minutes.

Since the meeting took longer than usual, we were able to catch the sunrise. If we're super lucky, we get to catch a couple rays of vitamin-D before we spend the rest of the day in the dark. I only get about 15 minutes of sunlight for the entire week.

After his morning meeting, Rockwell got to catch the sunrise, soaking up as many rays as he can before entering the dark underground mine.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Since the meeting took longer than usual, we were able to catch the sunrise. If we're super lucky, we get to catch a couple rays of vitamin-D before we spend the rest of the day in the dark. I only get about 15 minutes of sunlight for the entire week.

We were all quiet on the two-minute walk to the mine's elevator shaft, lost in our own thoughts. Every single day I think about the fact that I may be going down for the last time. Today is the day my son loses his father. As an underground miner, you can't help but think about stuff like this.

Rockwell wonders if he'll make it out of the mine alive during his walk to the elevator shaft.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell.

We were all quiet on the two-minute walk to the mine's elevator shaft, lost in our own thoughts. Every single day I think about the fact that I may be going down for the last time. Today is the day my son loses his father. As an underground miner, you can't help but think about stuff like this.

Once we get to the elevator shaft, we all "brass in," which is how we know who is underground in case of an emergency. I open the plexiglass door, hang my brass with my last name on it, then lock it. We immediately brass out once we come to the surface.

Before going underground, Rockwell and his coworkers "brass in" as a safety precaution.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Once we get to the elevator shaft, we all "brass in," which is how we know who is underground in case of an emergency. I open the plexiglass door, hang my brass with my last name on it, then lock it. We immediately brass out once we come to the surface.

We all get into the caged elevator that takes us 2,850 feet below the ground. It's a dark, five-minute ride down, which doesn't seem long, but it is. Usually somebody turns on their helmet lamp that lights up the whole cage with a glow. It puts our minds at ease.

The elevator ride down to the underground mine is dark and long.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

We all get into the caged elevator that takes us 2,850 feet below the ground. It's a dark, five-minute ride down, which doesn't seem long, but it is. Usually somebody turns on their helmet lamp that lights up the whole cage with a glow. It puts our minds at ease.

Once we reach our destination, we split up and head towards our assignment locations. Right off the bat, I went to my powder mag, the room we keep all our explosives used to blow up rocks for ore. I'm the only one with keys to the room.

Rockwell's powder mag, the storage room for explosives.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Once we reach our destination, we split up and head towards our assignment locations. Right off the bat, I went to my powder mag, the room we keep all our explosives used to blow up rocks for ore. I'm the only one with keys to the room.

For the next two hours, I loaded several hundred pounds of explosives into my truck that are later dumped into drilled holes, a process we call "loading rounds." After that, I cleaned the truck and the storage room for the explosives.

A TikTok screenshot of Cory Rockwell handling his explosives.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

For the next two hours, I loaded several hundred pounds of explosives into my truck that are later dumped into drilled holes, a process we call "loading rounds." After that, I cleaned the truck and the storage room for the explosives.

Once I finished, I didn't have any drilled holes to load yet for detonation. Instead, I helped our lead electrician — we call electricians "sparkies" — repair some of our mine phones that we use to communicate underground since there's no cell service.

Nevada Copper's lead electrician teaches Rockwell how to repair mine phones.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Once I finished, I didn't have any drilled holes to load yet for detonation. Instead, I helped our lead electrician — we call electricians "sparkies" — repair some of our mine phones that we use to communicate underground since there's no cell service.

I worked on repairing mine phones — dozens scattered throughout the mine — for the next three hours.

Rockwell repairing phones with a fellow miner.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

After that, I was asked to go operate a rock pick, a machine used to separate the ore from the rock. Much like a video game, I sit and sort through the ore using two joy sticks, crushing the big rocks so all the ore goes down the chute. It is very boring.

Rockwell operating a rock pick used to separate the ore from the rock.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

After that, I was asked to go operate a rock pick, a machine used to separate the ore from the rock. Much like a video game, I sit and sort through the ore using two joy sticks, crushing the big rocks so all the ore goes down the chute. It is very boring.

Since the haul truck that dumps the rock into the machine got delayed, I decided to go "hunt" some dinosaurs for my eight-year-old son. Any time I buy him a new dinosaur, I take it underground and film myself pretending to capture it. When I see him, I give him the toy and show him the dramatic video with added music.

During his free time, Rockwell "hunted" for dinosaurs for his 8-year old kid.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Since the haul truck that dumps the rock into the machine got delayed, I decided to go "hunt" some dinosaurs for my eight-year-old son. Any time I buy him a new dinosaur, I take it underground and film myself pretending to capture it. When I see him, I give him the toy and show him the dramatic video with added music.

Four hours of rock-picking later, I went back to my powder mag and inspected all my fire extinguishers for the month.

Rockwell inspecting his fire extinguishers.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

During my inspections, I went to the electrical shop and joined my coworkers who were picking on our electrician Dave. We all love him and pick on each other for fun.

Rockwell and his coworkers.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Fifteen minutes later, I got a call that a round was ready to load. I drove my truck to the drilled holes where explosives are dropped. While loading the holes, I got hit with a falling rock on my arm, causing it to swell and bleed. It wasn't too bad — at least it wasn't my head.

Rockwell got injured while loading explosives.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Fifteen minutes later, I got a call that a round was ready to load. I drove my truck to the drilled holes where explosives are dropped. While loading the holes, I got hit with a falling rock on my arm, causing it to swell and bleed. It wasn't too bad — at least it wasn't my head.

Miners normally finish their shifts around 5:30 p.m. However, my coworker and I stayed for an extra hour because we faced complications loading the rounds. We got back to the surface just after 7 p.m., wet with sweat and cold from the darkness.

Rockwell's shift ended later than usual due to loading complications.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Miners normally finish their shifts around 5:30 p.m. However, my coworker and I stayed for an extra hour because we faced complications loading the rounds. We got back to the surface just after 7 p.m., wet with sweat and cold from the darkness.

Closing out my shift, I changed and took a hot shower — the best part of my day.

Rockwell wet and covered in dirt after his shift.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Once I was clean, I warmed up my car to prepare it for the drive back home to Reno. Normally, I get home around 8 p.m., but tonight I got home at 9:30. I grab a quick snack then go straight to bed and do it all again the next day starting at 3 a.m.

Rockwell got home at 9:30 p.m., ate a snack, then immediately went to sleep.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Once I was clean, I warmed up my car to prepare it for the drive back home to Reno. Normally, I get home around 8 p.m., but tonight I got home at 9:30. I grab a quick snack then go straight to bed and do it all again the next day starting at 3 a.m.

Sure, I get tired, worn out, and even depressed sometimes, but I wouldn't change this for anything. At the end of the day, I get to call myself an underground miner and work with some of the best people I have the honor of calling my friends.

A silhouette of Rockwell in the mine.Courtesy of Cory Rockwell

Sure, I get tired, worn out, and even depressed sometimes, but I wouldn't change this for anything. At the end of the day, I get to call myself an underground miner and work with some of the best people I have the honor of calling my friends.

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This is what an underground copper miner's 18-hour day looks like, from loading explosives into a truck to 'hunting' for dinosaurs

Every other week, I work seven days straight as an underground miner at Nevada Copper, a copper mine based in Yerington. This is what a typical work day looks like.

I woke up at 2:50 a.m. on a Sunday after a week-long break. The first day back is always the roughest. I absolutely love mining, but waking up this early always has me questioning my life choices.

Time to start the scariest, most dangerous part of my day: driving to work. I left Reno at 3:10 a.m. for my one-hour-and-45-minute drive to the mine. Most mines are out in the middle of nowhere, where there's lots of two-lane highways, semi-trucks, and animals on the way.

I got to the mine at 5:20 a.m. I went to the locker room and chatted with a few fellas for 30 minutes while we all get dressed — or what we like to call "diggered out."

At 6 a.m., the miners meet in what we call the "line out room" where we get our assignments for the day, discuss issues, talk about safety, and crack the occasional joke. A typical meeting only takes 15 minutes.

Since the meeting took longer than usual, we were able to catch the sunrise. If we're super lucky, we get to catch a couple rays of vitamin-D before we spend the rest of the day in the dark. I only get about 15 minutes of sunlight for the entire week.

We were all quiet on the two-minute walk to the mine's elevator shaft, lost in our own thoughts. Every single day I think about the fact that I may be going down for the last time. Today is the day my son loses his father. As an underground miner, you can't help but think about stuff like this.

Once we get to the elevator shaft, we all "brass in," which is how we know who is underground in case of an emergency. I open the plexiglass door, hang my brass with my last name on it, then lock it. We immediately brass out once we come to the surface.

We all get into the caged elevator that takes us 2,850 feet below the ground. It's a dark, five-minute ride down, which doesn't seem long, but it is. Usually somebody turns on their helmet lamp that lights up the whole cage with a glow. It puts our minds at ease.

Once we reach our destination, we split up and head towards our assignment locations. Right off the bat, I went to my powder mag, the room we keep all our explosives used to blow up rocks for ore. I'm the only one with keys to the room.

For the next two hours, I loaded several hundred pounds of explosives into my truck that are later dumped into drilled holes, a process we call "loading rounds." After that, I cleaned the truck and the storage room for the explosives.

Once I finished, I didn't have any drilled holes to load yet for detonation. Instead, I helped our lead electrician — we call electricians "sparkies" — repair some of our mine phones that we use to communicate underground since there's no cell service.

I worked on repairing mine phones — dozens scattered throughout the mine — for the next three hours.

After that, I was asked to go operate a rock pick, a machine used to separate the ore from the rock. Much like a video game, I sit and sort through the ore using two joy sticks, crushing the big rocks so all the ore goes down the chute. It is very boring.

Four hours of rock-picking later, I went back to my powder mag and inspected all my fire extinguishers for the month.

During my inspections, I went to the electrical shop and joined my coworkers who were picking on our electrician Dave. We all love him and pick on each other for fun.

Fifteen minutes later, I got a call that a round was ready to load. I drove my truck to the drilled holes where explosives are dropped. While loading the holes, I got hit with a falling rock on my arm, causing it to swell and bleed. It wasn't too bad — at least it wasn't my head.

Miners normally finish their shifts around 5:30 p.m. However, my coworker and I stayed for an extra hour because we faced complications loading the rounds. We got back to the surface just after 7 p.m., wet with sweat and cold from the darkness.

Closing out my shift, I changed and took a hot shower — the best part of my day.

Once I was clean, I warmed up my car to prepare it for the drive back home to Reno. Normally, I get home around 8 p.m., but tonight I got home at 9:30. I grab a quick snack then go straight to bed and do it all again the next day starting at 3 a.m.

Sure, I get tired, worn out, and even depressed sometimes, but I wouldn't change this for anything. At the end of the day, I get to call myself an underground miner and work with some of the best people I have the honor of calling my friends.