Underground Production and Development Miners
(NOC 8231)
in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and MiningUnderground production and development miners drill, blast, use mining machinery, and carry out related duties to extract coal and ore in underground mines and to construct tunnels, passageways and shafts for mining operations. They work for coal, metal and non-metallic mineral underground mines and by specialized contractors in mine construction, shaft sinking and tunnelling.
Job Outlook
average
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Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, which will provide additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Underground Production and Development Miners most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions. Also, a average portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.
The median employment income for 39% of Underground Production and Development Miners who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $68,845. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$21.00
Minimum$25.00
Median$36.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$36,612
Minimum$68,069
Median$147,659
MaximumCompared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
Hourly Pay
$12.55
Minimum$24.84
Median$32.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$4,009
Minimum$23,520
Median$87,170
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Underground production and development miners drill, blast, use mining machinery, and carry out related duties to extract coal and ore in underground mines and to construct tunnels, passageways and shafts for mining operations. They work for coal, metal and non-metallic mineral underground mines and by specialized contractors in mine construction, shaft sinking and tunnelling.
Job duties
Underground production and development miners:
- Set up and use drills and drilling machines to make a designated pattern of blasting holes.
- Use diamond drills or other specialized drills like raise boring machinery to test geological formations or to make underground passageways.
- Set up and use mining machinery to shear coal, rock or ore from the working face.
- Load explosives, set fuses, and detonate explosives to make desired blasting patterns and rock fragmentation in underground mines.
- Use scooptram, load-haul-dump (LHD) machine or mucking machine to load and haul ore from stopes, drifts and drawpoints to ore passes.
- Complete safety tasks to support the mining advance like scaling loose rock from walls and roof, drilling and installing rock bolts, extending and installing air and water pipes, operating ore loading machinery, inspecting mine shafts, operating hoists that transport people, equipment and materials through mine shafts, and constructing timber supports and cribbing if required.
- Maintain mining machinery.
Sample job titles
- blaster - underground mining
- chute blaster - underground mining
- diamond driller - underground mining
- drift miner
- driller - underground mining
- hardrock miner apprentice
- hoist operator - underground mining
- miner
- mining machine operator
- powderman/woman - underground mining
- raise miner
- roadhead operator
- scooptram operator
- shaft inspector
Skills
- You should have good health, physical stamina, and strength. Agility, coordination, and a mechanical aptitude would also be helpful. You must be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by supervisors.
Job requirements
- High school is usually required.
- Formal training of up to six weeks followed by extended periods of specialized training as a helper or in support occupations is usually provided.
- Experience as a mine labourer or in other mine jobs is usually required.
- Provincial blasting licence may be required.
- May be certified in the basic common core program or as an underground hard rock miner in Ontario.
- Company licensing or certification is often required for jobs in this group.
- Certificate in first aid may be required.
Other considerations
- Movement to other jobs in underground mining like underground service and support roles is possible. There is movement between employers within each of the three following sectors: underground coal mining, underground hard rock mining and underground potash, salt or soft rock mining. Movement between these sectors is somewhat limited by differences in production technologies. Movement to mining supervisor is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Cape Breton
$67,654 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$64,264 median annual incomeSouthern
N/AHalifax
N/AAnnapolis Valley
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
25-34
35-44
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
45-54
15-24
55-64
35-44
25-34
Top levels of education
Trade Certification
$72,242 median annual incomeHigh school
$74,890 median annual incomeLess than high school
$41,724 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
N/ABachelor
N/ACompared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
Less than high school
$23,463 median annual incomeHigh school
$19,301 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$29,551 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$31,535 median annual incomeBachelor
$17,956 median annual incomeEducation & training
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Mining Technology/Technician
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in the development and operation of mines and related mineral processing facilities. They include courses in principles of mineral extraction and related geology, mineral field mapping and site analysis, testing and sampling methods, instrument calibration, assay analysis, test equipment operation and maintenance, mine environment and safety monitoring procedures, mine inspection procedures, and report preparation.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.