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Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction (NOC 7372)

Table of contents
About this job Earnings and Outlook Duties Work environment Workforce and employment statistics
Job requirements Work-related skills Related careers Career paths and resources
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About this job

Drillers in this group operate mobile drilling machines:

  • to bore blast holes in open-pit mines and quarries
  • to bore holes for blasting and for building foundations at construction sites

Blasters in this group:

  • fill blast holes with explosives
  • detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore and rock or to demolish structures

These workers are employed by:

  • mining, quarrying and construction companies
  • drilling and blasting contractors
Common job titles
  • driller, open-pit / seismic prospecting
  • operator, air-track drill
  • operator, core drill
  • operator, diamond drill
  • operator, drilling machine
  • driller, open-pit / seismic prospecting
  • operator, air-track drill
  • operator, core drill
  • operator, diamond drill
  • operator, drilling machine

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$68,783

Source: 2019 Job Bank Wage data

Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2019 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))

Provincial hourly rate

  • High
  • Median
  • Low

Source: 2019 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2019-2029)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

  • 2019 - 2024
  • 2024 - 2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 170

  • 2019
  • 2024
  • 2029

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

 
New jobs due to economic growth:
6.2%
10 openings
 
Replacement of retiring workers:
93.8%
150 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Select a region to view regional outlook
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
Cariboo
Employment in 2019:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
N/A
Kootenay
Employment in 2019:
40
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
-0.1%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
10
Mainland / Southwest
Employment in 2019:
250
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
0.6%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
60
North Coast & Nechako
Employment in 2019:
30
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
0.4%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
10
Northeast
Employment in 2019:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
N/A
Thompson-Okanagan
Employment in 2019:
90
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
-0.3%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
20
Vancouver Island / Coast
Employment in 2019:
220
Average annual employment growth(%) 2019-2029:
-0.5%
Expected number of job openings 2019-2029:
30

N/A - Data not available

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

Drillers in this group:

  • drive and operate tracked or truck-mounted rotary drilling, air-track or other drilling machines to bore large blast holes to specified depths at staked positions in open-pit mine or quarry
  • run drilling machines to drill blast holes in rock at road or other construction sites
  • operate tracked or truck-mounted drill equipped with auger or other attachment to drill holes for building foundations or pilings
  • may measure location and stake out pattern of holes to be drilled, load blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore or rock

Blasters in this group

  • 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 needed
  • 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 make sure that safety procedures are followed
  • may operate air-track, rotary, down-the-hole or other drilling machines to drill blast holes
  • may direct drilling of blast holes

Work environment

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

  • Work takes place outdoors, so workers may be exposed to various weather conditions.
  • Work also takes inside heavy equipment such as drilling machines.
  • Working with equipment, instruments, machinery or power/hand tools may be a potential source of injury.
  • Exposure to flying particles and falling objects in the work environment pose the risk of injury.
  • Working with explosives in dangerous locations means workers must follow safety precautions.
  • Loud noises in the workplace can affect hearing.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

500 workers are employed
40% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

  Men
  Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

  15 - 24 years
  25 - 44 years
  45 - 64 years
  65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Construction:
71%
Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction:
18%
Manufacturing:
4%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services:
4%
Wholesale Trade:
2%
View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

Select your region:
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
  % employment of this occupation
  % employment of all occupations
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland / Southwest
North Coast & Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2016 Census

Career paths and resources

Career paths

Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Drillers and blasters often perform both drilling and blasting activities.

Additional resources

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Profile last updated:
January 12, 2021
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