NOC 73402 · TEER Level 3

Blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction

Blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction fill blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore and rock or to demolish structures.

Also known as:blaster (except underground mining)construction blasterAuger OperatorBlast DrillerBlast Hole DrillerBoring Machine OperatorChurn Drill OperatorChurn DrillerConstruction DrillerConstruction Well Drill Operator
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Moderate

Market Demand

school

TEER 3

Skill Level

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ON, BC, MB

Top Provinces

What They Do

  • Read instructions or diagrams, lay out drill pattern and determine depth and diameter of blast holes and conduct field tests to determine type and quantity of explosives required
  • Assemble or direct other workers to assemble primer charges using selected detonators, fuses, detonating cords and other materials
  • Load explosives in blast holes by hand or direct movement of bulk explosives trucks to load holes
  • Connect electrical wires, detonating cords or fuses into series and connect series to blasting machines; press handle or button to detonate charges
  • Handle, store and transport explosives and accessories in accordance with regulations and ensure that safety procedures are observed
  • May operate air-track, rotary, down-the-hole or other drilling machines to drill blast holes or may direct drilling of blast holes.

Qualifications

  • checkCompletion of secondary school is usually required.
  • checkOn-the-job training is provided.
  • checkExperience as a blaster helper in surface mining and quarrying or construction may be required for blasters.
  • checkProvincial blasting licence is usually required for blasters.
  • checkTrade certification for blasters is compulsory in Nova Scotia.

Market Outlook by Province

ON

Ontario

The employment outlook will be Moderate for drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction (NOC 73402) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.Here are some key facts about drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction in Ontario: Approximately 1,350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 51%Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 38% 56% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction work all year, while 44% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 16% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 42% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 19% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 20% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Moderate

Outlook

BC

British Columbia

The employment outlook will be Limited for drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction (NOC 73402) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.British Columbia has extensive mineral reserves and key projects targeting essential metals and minerals; the growth of the mining sector is driven by demand for critical minerals that are essential for electric vehicles (EVs) and green technologies (such as lithium and copper) and the price of precious metals (such as gold).  Over the forecast period from 2025 to 2027, uncertainty related to international trade policies could influence growth in the province's mining industry; in response, both the federal and provincial governments are seeking to fast-track major mining projects to mitigate these challenges.  Looking ahead, new mining projects in the North Coast/Nechako, Kootenay, and Thompson-Okanagan economic regions could begin operations later in the forecast period (2027).Here are some key facts about drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction in British Columbia: Approximately 700 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 57%Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 27%Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 8% 47% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction work all year, while 53% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 20% compared to 8% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 43% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 26% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

Limited

Outlook

MB

Manitoba

The employment outlook will be Limited for drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction (NOC 73402) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.Here are some key facts about drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction in Manitoba: Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 72%Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 25% 74% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction work all year, while 26% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 23% compared to 12% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 63% compared to 31% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Limited

Outlook

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Immigration Pathways

TEER 3 occupations require college or vocational training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

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Express Entry (FSTP)

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Canadian Experience Class

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Provincial Nominee Programs

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