Operate An LHD Scoop
Learn safe underground loading, tramming and dumping on a Load-Haul-Dump scoop.
Our LHD Scoop Operator Training course gives you the practical skills to load, haul and dump broken rock and ore safely inside an underground mine. The LHD (Load-Haul-Dump) is a low-profile, articulated machine built specifically for confined underground headings, and operating one demands a different discipline to surface machinery — tight clearances, ventilation awareness, and strict traffic control in the haulage way.
The course is split into two days of classroom theory — covering machine systems, underground safety regulations and tramming theory — followed by three full days of hands-on practical training, operating a real LHD Scoop on-site under close instructor supervision. This structure gives you enough repetition on the controls to build genuine confidence before your final assessment.
LHD Scoop training is one of sixteen machine operator courses offered under our Mining & Machinery training field, alongside programmes such as 777 Rigid Dump Truck, Excavator, Front End Loader and ADT Dump Truck operator training. Many students pursuing underground careers combine LHD Scoop training with surface machinery courses to broaden their employability.
The course also covers ore pass and tip-point dumping procedure, ground support awareness, and refuge bay and emergency procedures specific to underground work — giving you the complete skill set employers expect from a certified LHD operator. If you're weighing up training options beyond machinery, DT Academy also offers Lifting Machinery, Security Training, and Health & Safety courses from the same Pretoria Central campus.
- Loading at the face and muck pile
- Articulated steering in confined headings
- Tramming to the ore pass or tip point
- Underground traffic control and radio protocol
- Ground support and loose rock awareness
- Ventilation and gas awareness underground
- Refuge bay and emergency procedures
Course Information
Machine Introduction & Underground Safety
LHD Scoop components — bucket, hydraulics and articulation joint. Underground mine safety regulations and the Mine Health and Safety Act. Ventilation and gas awareness. Personal protective equipment (PPE) for underground work. Ground condition and hazard identification.
Tramming Principles & Underground Haulage
Loading technique at the face and muck pile. Tramming through confined headings. Dumping procedure at the ore pass or tip point. Underground traffic control and radio communication protocol. Refuge bay and emergency procedures.
On-Site Practical — Basic Controls & Manoeuvring
Hands-on cab familiarisation on-site. Basic movements: bucket lift, tilt and articulation steering. Straight tramming passes in a controlled area. Spatial awareness in confined space.
On-Site Practical — Advanced Loading & Tramming
Loading at a muck pile under supervision. Dumping at an ore pass or tip point. Working in confined headings and low headroom. Underground traffic and radio protocol in practice. Emergency and refuge procedures.
Practical Assessment & Certification
Independent, on-site practical competency evaluation covering all learned skills. Oral assessment on safety and maintenance knowledge. Certificate and operator licence card briefing, plus job application guidance and job assistance programme enrolment.
On-Site Training for Companies
Need to certify several employees at once? On-site LHD Scoop training is available on request — our instructors come to your underground mine site or premises to train your team, reducing downtime and travel. This option suits mines with an existing underground fleet.
Request On-Site Training
Certificate & Operator Card Renewal
Certificates and operator licence cards issued by DT Academy are valid for 2 years from the date of issue. Once your certificate expires, it can be renewed at a cost — and because renewal doesn't require repeating the full course, our team can usually process it in the same visit.
Ask About RenewalWho Should Attend
- Job seekers wanting an entry point into underground mining
- Existing underground workers looking to move into a machine operator role
- Company employees who need to be certified on an LHD Scoop they'll use at work
- Experienced operators needing a formal, QCTO-aligned certificate for the first time
- Anyone whose LHD Scoop certificate or operator card has expired and needs renewal
Career Opportunities After Certification
- LHD Scoop / Load-Haul-Dump Operator on an underground mine
- Underground Development Crew Operator
- Tunnel Construction Machine Operator
- Underground Mine Contractor Operator
- Stope and Face Loading Operator
Enrol Now
Fill in the form below and one of our consultants will contact you within 48 hours to confirm your course and start date.
Do I need a driver's licence to enrol?
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Do you offer on-site training for companies?
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Ready to Operate an LHD Scoop?
Start This Week.
Join graduates who have launched careers in underground mining and mine development with DT Academy. On-site company training and certificate renewal are also available — visit us at 0107 Rentbel Towers, 14 Bureau Lane, Pretoria Central 0002.
Or call 082 264 9605 / WhatsApp 071 524 4658
