2143-NOC

Mining engineers

(NOC 21330)
Annual Earnings
$99,316
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
190

Career Overview

Mining engineers:

  • Plan, design, organize and oversee the development of mines, mine facilities, systems and equipment
  • Prepare and oversee the extraction of metallic or non-metallic minerals and ores from underground or surface mines
  • Work for mining companies, consulting engineering companies, manufacturers, government and educational and research institutions

 

Duties

Mining engineers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Carry out initial surveys and studies of ore, mineral or coal deposits to assess the economic and environmental feasibility of potential mining operations
  • Determine the appropriate means of safely and efficiently mining deposits
  • Determine and advise on appropriate drilling and blasting methods for mining, construction or demolition
  • Design shafts, ventilation systems, mine services, trasnport systems and supporting structures
  • Design, develop and put into use computer applications for mine design, mine modelling, mapping or monitoring mine conditions
  • Plan, design or select mining and mineral treatment equipment in collaboration with other engineering specialists
  • Plan, organize and oversee the development of mines, mine structures and the operation and maintenance of mines
  • Prepare operations and project estimates, schedules and reports
  • Put into use and co-ordinate mine safety programs
  • Supervise and co-ordinate the work of technicians, technologists, survey personnel, and other engineers and scientists

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$99,316

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$60.00/hr
Median$47.62/hr
Low$32.05/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

665

% Employed Full Time

67%
Source: 2021 Census

Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office or school.

Career Pathways

Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.

Mining engineers also work closely with geologists, geological engineers, metallurgical engineers, and other engineers and scientists, and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Investigative
Investigative
Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Mine design engineer
Mine development engineer
Mine layout engineer
Mine production engineer
Mine safety engineer
Mine ventilation engineer
Mineral engineer
Mining engineer

Education, Training and Skills

  • A bachelor's degree in mining engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required
  • A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required
  • Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)
  • Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engineering
  • Engineering Science
  • Mining and Petroleum (Oil and Gas) Related
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

78%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

75%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

75%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

75%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

75%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

75%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

72%
Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

68%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

68%
Systems Evaluation

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, while meeting the goals of the system.

68%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

665
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 15 2.3%
Kootenay 115 17.3%
Mainland/Southwest 425 63.9%
North Coast and Nechako 10 1.5%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 75 11.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 20 3.0%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

190
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo Not available Not available
Kootenay 30 1.1%
Mainland/Southwest 130 1.0%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 20 1.7%
Vancouver Island/Coast 10 3.6%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services110
Mining And Oil And Gas Extraction70
Business, Building And Other Support Services10
Wholesale Trade0
Manufacturing0
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources