Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
High opportunity occupation
Career Overview
Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing:
- Operate and monitor multi-function process control machinery and equipment to control the processing of mineral ores, metals or cement
- Work in mineral ore and metal processing plants such as copper, lead and zinc refineries
- Also work in uranium processing plants, steel mills, aluminum plants, precious metal refineries and cement processing plants
Duties
Central control and process operators (mineral and metal processing):
- Coordinate and monitor the operation of a particular aspect of mineral ore, metal and cement processing production through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems, usually from a central control room
- Operate multi-function central process control machinery to grind, separate, filter, melt, roast, treat, refine or otherwise process mineral ores
- Look at computer printouts, video monitors and gauges to verify specified processing conditions and to make necessary adjustments
- Coordinate and supervise production crew such as machine and process operators, tenders, assistants and helpers
- Start up and shut down the production system in cases of emergency or as required by schedule
- Train or organize training for members of production crew
- Maintain shift log of production and other data
- Prepare production and other reports
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.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
565% Employed Full Time
79%Key aspects of the work in this occupation:
- Work takes place in a regular controlled indoor setting
- Work also takes place in an inside environment where temperatures may vary
- The workplace many noisy enough to affect hearing
Career Pathways
With experience, central control and process operators may progress to supervisory positions in mineral and metal processing.
There is little movement among the various types of central control and process operators within the mineral and metal processing industry.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
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For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
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Job Titles
Education, Training and Skills
- Completion of secondary school is required
- A college diploma may be required for some positions in this group
- On-the-job training is provided
- Several years of experience as a machine or process operator, usually in the same company or production department, are required
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Academic/Basic Upgrading
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!
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Labour Market Statistics
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Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
565Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 15 | 2.6% |
| Kootenay | 320 | 56.1% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 85 | 14.9% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 50 | 8.8% |
| Northeast | 15 | 2.6% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 55 | 9.6% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 30 | 5.3% |
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)
370Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
| Kootenay | 230 | 1.2% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 50 | 0.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 40 | 0.8% |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 30 | 0.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | Not available | Not available |
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
| Industry | Job Openings (2023-2033) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 270 |
| Mining And Oil And Gas Extraction | 80 |
| Construction | 10 |
| Professional, Scientific And Technical Services | 10 |
| Information, Culture And Recreation | 10 |
Resources
Resource information is currently not available.