NOC 83100 · TEER Level 3

Underground production and development miners

Underground production and development miners drill, blast, operate mining machinery, and perform related duties to extract coal and ore in underground mines and to construct tunnels, passageways and shafts to facilitate mining operations. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Also known as:apprentice minerblaster - underground miningblast hole driller - underground miningblockholer - underground miningbolter operator - underground miningbrine well tenderBaggerRoadmanExtraFlagmanBlast DrillerCable DrillerCable Tool DrillerCable Tool Operator
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Good

Market Demand

school

TEER 3

Skill Level

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SK, NL, NU

Top Provinces

What They Do

  • Set up and operate drills and drilling machines to produce a designated pattern of blasting holes
  • Operate diamond drills or other specialized drills such as raise boring machinery to test geological formations or to produce underground passageways
  • Set up and operate mining machinery to shear coal, rock or ore from the working face
  • Load explosives, set fuses, and detonate explosives to produce desired blasting patterns and rock fragmentation in underground mines
  • Operate scooptram, load-haul-dump (LHD) machine or mucking machine to load and haul ore from stopes, drifts and drawpoints to ore passes
  • Perform duties required to ensure safety and to support the mining advance, such as 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
  • Perform routine maintenance of mining machinery.

Qualifications

  • checkMay be certified in the basic common core program or as an underground hard rock miner in Ontario.
  • checkCertificate in first aid may be required.
  • checkFormal training of up to six weeks followed by extended periods of specialized training as a helper or in support occupations is usually provided.
  • checkCompany licensing or certification is often required for occupations in this unit group.
  • checkPrevious experience as a mine labourer or in other mine occupations is usually required.
  • checkProvincial blasting licence may be required.
  • checkTrade certification for miners is available, but voluntary, in Quebec and Manitoba.
  • checkCompletion of secondary school is usually required.

Market Outlook by Province

SK

Saskatchewan

The employment outlook will be Good for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.The mining industry in Saskatchewan is projected to have a heavy demand for workers, up to 15,000 over the next decade driven by ambitious plans for growth of the industry and the aging workforce.Having 27 of the 34 critical minerals, provincial and federal investment in the province’s mining sector to make it a leader in critical mineral production will support jobs for mining workers.Major projects expected to launch in 2026 and 2027 will boost job growth in this occupation. BHP’s Jansen Stage 1 is set to create 600 jobs, while the McIlvenna Bay copper mine will require about 400 full-time workers. Investment in automation and digitization of underground extraction activities for increased efficiency, productivity and safety may impact a few jobs and more so job functions and skill requirements for some workers. Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in Saskatchewan: Approximately 2,850 people work in this occupation. Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors: Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 83%Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 9% 66% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 34% 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 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of underground production and development miners are self-employed compared to an average of 16% 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: 10% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 64% compared to 33% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 19% compared to 15% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 6% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 18% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

Good

Outlook

NL

Newfoundland and Labrador

The employment outlook will be Good for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in Newfoundland and Labrador: Approximately 2,150 people work in this occupation. Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors: Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 76%Support activities for mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 213): 20% 38% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 62% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 34 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 87% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 13% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 11% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 33% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 30% compared to 17% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 22% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 14% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

Good

Outlook

NU

Nunavut

The employment outlook will be Moderate for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Nunavut for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Employment prospects for this occupation follow commodity boom-and-bust cycles.Uncertainty related to international trade adds volatility to international commodity markets and may lead to fast-paced boom-and-bust cycles in the territory's mining industry over the forecast period, 2025-2027.In 2025, Nunavut's mining industry has benefited from elevated gold and silver prices and increased investment in these commodities, which may open up new employment opportunities.Nunavut's metal ore mining industry has expanded rapidly since 2009. However, temporarily reduced activities at the Mary River iron ore mine in 2025, related to the Steensby railway project, limit job prospects at the start of the forecast period.Many employees in this occupation are fly-in fly-out workers and reside outside the territory.Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in Nunavut: Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 93%Other Commercial Services (NAICS 54-56, 81): 7% 40% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 60% work only part of the year, compared to 72% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 31 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 56% compared to 37% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Moderate

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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Top Companies Hiring

Organizations with the most NOC 83100 openings right now.

Dumas

Dumas

6 active roles · Timmins, ON · Saskatoon, SK

Agnico Eagle

Agnico Eagle Mines

5 active roles · Kirkland Lake, ON · Dobie, ON

Thyssen Mini

Thyssen Mining

4 active roles

Redpath Mini

Redpath Mining

3 active roles · Pickle Lake, ON · Dubreuilville, ON

Evolution Mi

Evolution Mining

3 active roles · Red Lake, ON

Hudbay Miner

Hudbay Minerals Inc.

2 active roles · Snow Lake, MB

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Core Competencies

Operation and Control

to ensure equipment performs optimally, reducing the risk of breakdowns and improving the overall productivity of the mining operation

Equipment and Tool Selection, and Setting Up

to select the appropriate drilling machines or explosives to blast and remove ore, coal or rock from the working location

Control of Settings

to adjust settings of drilling and blasting equipment to suit varying rock conditions and mining requirements

Reaction Time

to respond quickly to sudden changes, such as equipment malfunctions, gas leaks or unexpected geological conditions

Attention to Detail

to carefully follow procedures, monitor equipment conditions and inspect work areas to identify any issues or hazards that could affect the mining process

Knowledge in Geological Resources

to determine the most effective techniques for mining specific resources and assess potential hazards, such as unstable rock formations or gas pockets

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