Mineral and Metal Processing Labourers

(NOC 9611)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Mineral and metal processing labourers handle materials, clean-up, packaging and other elemental activities related to mineral ore and metal processing. 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, cement processing plants, clay, glass and stone processing plants and foundries.

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

$14.50

Minimum

$19.00

Median

$29.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$21,818

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

Mineral and metal processing labourers handle materials, clean-up, packaging and other elemental activities related to mineral ore and metal processing. 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, cement processing plants, clay, glass and stone processing plants and foundries.

Job duties

Mineral and metal processing labourers:

  • Move raw materials, finished products, scrap and recyclable materials throughout plant manually or using forklift or other powered equipment.
  • Feed conveyors, crushers and other equipment; open valves and start pumps; skim dross from furnaces; sort, stack, bundle and stamp materials; and do other activities to help process and machine operators in mineral ore and metal processing.
  • Clean work areas and equipment.
  • May help with minor repairs and maintenance.

Sample job titles

  • asbestos worker
  • brick and tile kiln cleaner
  • core shop labourer
  • extrusion helper
  • fibreglass oven charger helper
  • furnace loader
  • glass packer
  • lime kiln operator helper
  • metal pourer helper
  • rolling mill worker
  • salt screening labourer
  • tailings disposal labourer

Skills

  • You should have good physical health. You must be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

  • Some high school education may be needed for some positions in this group.

Other considerations

  • Work in these jobs is generally seasonal. Shifts at various hours of the day or on a part-time basis is common. Movement to machine and process operator positions is possible with experience and there is movement among jobs in this group.

By the numbers

Quick look

165

employed in 2016

73.5%

employed full-time

5.9%

self employed

0.0%
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100%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
39.9

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%
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72.4%
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44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

28.6%

North Shore

$21,858 median annual income
22.9%

Halifax

N/A
20.0%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
17.1%

Cape Breton

N/A
11.4%

Southern

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

35.0%

Wholesale trade

35.0%

Manufacturing

15.0%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

15.0%

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

What is the age of Employment?

26.0%

25-34

21.0%

35-44

18.0%

55-64

18.0%

45-54

18.0%

15-24

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

38.2%

High school

$11,582 median annual income
38.2%

Less than high school

$21,835 median annual income
14.7%

College Diploma

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

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

No contacts were found under this occupation profile

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.