Underground production and development miners drill, blast, operate mining machinery and perform related duties to extract coal and ore in underground mines and construct mine tunnels, passageways and shafts to facilitate mining operations.
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: 500
Underground production and development miners perform some or all of the following duties:
Work in this occupational group can be physically and mentally challenging. Workers spend their work day underground where it is dark and often damp, and much of the work may be done alone with little communication with others.
There are also a number of potential hazards on site, including unstable terrain, large, moving machinery, exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, and loud noises from blasts and machinery. High-level safety standards ensure that work sites stick to strict safety regulations, including requirements of wearing eye and ear protection, protective clothing with reflectors, gloves, hard hats and steel-toed boots. Industry sources report high safety records for these occupations in comparison to the past.
Since mines are often located in remote areas, underground production and development miners may be required to travel and live in camps. However, with many B.C. mines located near communities, workers who live nearby can return home after their shift.
Most work full time and very few workers work part time or are self-employed. Shifts usually last 8–12 hours, and rotating shift work is very common, as mines operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Shift length varies by occupation, location and urgency of the job.
Increased mechanized mining methods have reduced reliance on physical work in these occupations.
This occupation provides a competitive salary and benefits, and work is often close to communities where the cost of living is lower than in larger urban centres.
Source: 2016 Census
Workers must be at least 18 years of age and completion of secondary school is usually required. Other training and requirements may include:
Workers who are certified for an occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check. For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants. Contact the Industry Training Authority of BC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C. For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca. View a list of B.C. occupational regulators.
For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.
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 35 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. You’ll also find the skill strength needed, letting you know how capable you must be in that skill.
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Career paths
There are many options to choose from once workers are already employed in this occupation. There is good movement to other underground mining occupations, such as those in underground service and support.
With sufficient experience and training, it is also possible to progress to various supervisory positions.
Additional resources