Ethan Thompson

I worked underground for Sibanye Stillwater as a “drift” mechanic as well as working in the shop underground. I worked on heavy equipment hydraulic, electrical and mechanical systems. Occasionally welding when needed was also part of my job. “Drift” running was essentially field mechanics of the mine. I drove to the headings to where the mining was happening to fix the equipment whether it was electrical, mechanical or hydraulic failure, I learned a lot mainly due to the fact of the poor quality of the equipment which was caused by metal and hard rock not mixing well together. I worked at the mine up until I left Montana and moved back home to Florida.

At Dana safety I learned to wire police cars for operation which broadened my knowledge on electrical systems. I had this job for a short time when I first moved to Montana.

In 2017 I got hired on with Ringpower at the wash rack cleaning machines and learned to really appreciate a clean work area and the importance of cleanliness. After a year at the wash rack I applied for and got moved into the undercarriage shop where I expanded my knowledge of heavy equipment before moving onto working for Blake Brown in the crane shop for approximately a year and a half to two years.