Central Control and Process Operators in Mineral and Metal Processing

(NOC 9231)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

These workers use and monitor process control machinery and equipment to control the processing of mineral ores, metals or cement. They work for mineral ore and metal processing plants like copper, lead and zinc refineries, uranium processing plants, steel mills, aluminum plants, precious metal refineries and cement processing plants.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

  • Estimate 435 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1945 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$46,087

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$14.00

Minimum

$20.80

Median

$33.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

These workers use and monitor process control machinery and equipment to control the processing of mineral ores, metals or cement. They work for mineral ore and metal processing plants like copper, lead and zinc refineries, uranium processing plants, steel mills, aluminum plants, precious metal refineries and cement processing plants.

Job duties

Central control and process operators:

  • Coordinate and monitor the operation of a particular aspect of mineral ore, metal and cement processing production through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems, usually from a central control room.
  • Use multi-function central process control machinery to grind, separate, filter, melt, roast, treat, refine or otherwise process mineral ores.
  • Monitor computer printouts, video monitors and gauges to verify processing conditions and to make necessary adjustments.
  • Coordinate and supervise production crew like machine and process operators, tenders, assistants and helpers.
  • Start up and shut down the production system in cases of emergency or as required by schedule.
  • Provide or organize training for members of production crew.
  • Maintain shift log of production and other data and prepare production and other reports.

Sample job titles

  • blast furnace operator
  • central control caster
  • central control room operator
  • chief flotation operator
  • console operator
  • pelletizing control operator
  • roaster operator
  • rolling mill control operator

Skills

  • You should be responsible and alert. Mechanical ability and strong computer skills are important. You must be able to work as part of a team.

Job requirements

  • High school is required.
  • A college diploma may be required for some positions in this group.
  • On-the-job training is provided.
  • Several years of experience as a machine or process operator, usually in the same company or production department, are required.

Other considerations

  • There is little movement among the various types of central control and process operators within the mineral and metal processing industry. With experience, central control and process operators may move to supervisory positions in mineral and metal processing.

By the numbers

Quick look

< 50

employed in 2016

100.0%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

0.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
100%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
53.9

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
72.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

25.0%

Cape Breton

N/A
25.0%

Halifax

N/A
25.0%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
25.0%

North Shore

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

60.0%

Manufacturing

40.0%

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

What is the age of Employment?

100.0%

45-54

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

24.5%

45-54

20.8%

55-64

19.3%

35-44

16.5%

25-34

15.0%

15-24

Top levels of education

50.0%

High school

N/A
33.3%

College Diploma

N/A
33.3%

Trade Certification

N/A

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,505 median annual income
23.3%

Less than high school

$19,224 median annual income
19.9%

College Diploma

$38,781 median annual income
12.2%

Trade Certification

$43,975 median annual income
4.5%

Bachelor

$39,715 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults 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

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair and maintain industrial machinery and equipment such as cranes, pumps, engines and motors, pneumatic tools, conveyor systems, production machinery, marine deck machinery, and steam propulsion, refinery, and pipeline-distribution systems.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Stationary Energy Sources Installer and Operator (Canada)

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, repair, operate, and maintain large power sources that could include generating electricity and heat.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Occupational Health and Safety Division
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.