Supervisors in mining and quarrying supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in mining operations of underground and surface mines and quarries.
People in this occupation:
Source: Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Source: 2021 Job Bank Wage Report
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook
10 year expected job openings: 560
N/A - Data not available
Supervisors in mining and quarrying perform some or all of the following duties:
Supervisors in this group work in mines and quarries, which can be challenging due to noise, dust and various weather conditions. The workplace is potentially hazardous since workers are around large, moving equipment and carefully handle potentially harmful chemical substances used in mining. Work is also conducted in areas that may be unstable.
Workplace safety is at the forefront and all work sites are required to follow strict safety regulations, including wearing protective clothing with reflective strips, eye and ear protection, hard hats, gloves, and steel-toed boots. In addition, training and special equipment helps to minimize risk to workers.
A small number of supervisors are self employed and part-time work is not common. However, most supervisors work full time. Shifts of 8–12 hours are common and supervisors may work more than 40 hours a week. Rotating shifts are frequent since mines operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Since mines and quarries are often located in remote areas, supervisors may be required to travel and live in camps for extended periods of time. However, with many B.C. mines located near communities, workers who live nearby can return home after their shift.
Source: 2016 Census
Supervisors in mining and quarrying are required to complete secondary school and must have several years of experience in the occupations that he or she supervises. Other training and requirements may include:
Workers are generally promoted to supervisory positions from within, therefore working in lead hand roles and taking supervisory training offered by the employer will contribute to successful entry into supervisory roles.
Supervisors in mining and quarrying must also:
All supervisors working in areas covered by the B.C. Mines Act must be certified under the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia. Information about certification is available from the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.
For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.
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Job opportunities are expected to arise as a result of new job creation and retirements. There will be job openings in the Oil and Gas industry, especially in provinces such as Alberta, which are experiencing shortages of workers with similar skill sets.
Career paths
Recent graduates from engineering positions are often put into supervisory roles in company-sponsored "engineer-in-training" programs, which are intended to broaden their operational and human resource skills.
Supervisors have many options available to them. There are opportunities to move to other companies in search of higher-level positions. Supervisors may also become mine inspectors, full-time trainers or safety/loss prevention coordinators.
Additional resources