Mineral and Metal Processing Machine Operators
(NOC 9411)
in All Manufacturing and UtilitiesMineral and metal processing machine operators use machinery to process mineral ore and metal. 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
Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
Hourly Pay
$18.81
Minimum$23.90
Median$29.83
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$47,788
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$20.80
Median$33.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,056
Minimum$30,111
Median$70,518
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Mineral and metal processing machine operators use machinery to process mineral ore and metal. 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
Machine operators:
- Set up, prepare and change mineral ore, metal and cement processing machinery to carry out one step in the overall mineral ore or metal processing operation.
- Use machinery to grind, separate, filter, mix, treat, cast, roll, refine or otherwise process mineral ores.
- Watch gauges, meters, computer printouts, video monitors and products to ensure correct operation of machinery and verify processing conditions.
- Adjust machinery as required.
- Record production information and complete reports.
- May help with machinery maintenance or repair.
Sample job titles
- aluminum classifier
- asbestos dryer
- billet heater
- brick and tile crusher operator
- cement miller
- extrusion press operator
- foil-winding machine operator
- ladle pourer
- lead refiner
- lime kiln operator
- mica sheet laminator
- quenching car operator
- scrap metal shredder
- sintering machine operator
- slurry equipment operator
- steel roller
- uranium classifier operator
- zinc cell operator
Skills
- You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and a mechanical skill are important. You must be accurate pay attention to detail. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.
Job requirements
- High school may be required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Experience as a labourer in mineral and metal processing is usually required for machine operators.
Other considerations
- Shift work is common in these jobs. There is little movement among the different types of machine operators within the mineral and metal processing industry. With experience, machine operators may move to central control and process operators in mineral and metal processing.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Cape Breton
N/ANorth Shore
N/AHalifax
N/AAnnapolis Valley
N/ASouthern
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Manufacturing
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Construction
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
55-64
45-54
25-34
Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
Top levels of education
High school
N/ALess than high school
N/ATrade Certification
N/ACollege Diploma
N/ACompared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities
High school
$28,505 median annual incomeLess than high school
$19,224 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$38,781 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$43,975 median annual incomeBachelor
$39,715 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
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.