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Underground Production and Development Miners (NOC 8231)DescriptionUnderground production and development miners drill, blast, operate mining machinery and perform related duties to extract coal and ore in underground mines and to construct tunnels, passageways and shafts to facilitate mining operations. They are employed by coal, metal and non-metallic mineral underground mines and by specialized contractors in mine construction, shaft sinking and tunnelling. Example Titles
Classified Elsewhere
DutiesUnderground production and development miners perform some or all of the following duties:
SkillsUnderground miners need the following skills and abilities:
Employment Requirements
Terms & ConditionsMiners may work with large and small pieces of equipment and explosives. Miners often work in confined spaces, alone or with a few other miners. There may be poor lighting, and depending on the area inside the mine,conditions may range from cold and wet to hot and humid. Miners normally work shifts, ranging between eight and 12 hours per shift. Almost all (96%) underground production and development miners work full time. All are employees. Earnings$49,900 per annum - starting $58,300 per annum - average $89,500 per annum - high Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available. Education / Training
Career PathsMost underground miners start as helpers and advance to higher-paying jobs with experience. Underground miners may specialize in different functions such as drilling, blasting, shaft sinking and tunneling, operating load-haul-dump machines, installing air and water pipes, installing timber supports and cribbing. Some underground miners move to related jobs such as hoist operating, surface drilling jobs or to jobs in ore and metal processing. Mobility to other companies may be limited by the different production methods used. Experienced miners may be promoted to crew supervisors and management positions. OutlookEmployment prospects for underground production and development miners for the period 2010 to 2014 are expected to be good. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 855. Strong commodity prices along with strong demand for metals from the growing Asian economies over the last decade resulted in a number of new mining initiatives, reinvestment in exploration and projects once considered unprofitable, and aggressive recruitment of mining labour. In 2008, spending on exploration in Manitoba reached an all-time high. In 2009, the mining industry faced a drop in base-metal prices, reduced market demand and difficulty raising working capital as a result of the global economic downturn. Some companies closed temporarily or cut back on production, new exploration declined, and some job losses occurred in this occupation. The price of metals is trending upward and is encouraging investment. There is continuing demand for these resources, particularly from China. The employment outlook is good for miners in the long term while short term prospects will depend on how quickly companies return to full production. Mining in Manitoba is a high technology industry and companies continue to invest in new equipment and processes. While this results in a decline in the number of underground production and development miners required, an increase in production would still mean incremental hiring. Technology, such as remotely operated equipment, has helped make the job safer. A proportionally larger percentage of the employed workforce is located in Northern Manitoba. Almost all underground production and development miners work in the Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction industry (88%), the remainder work in Manufacturing (11%). Employment by Age Group
Employment by Industry
Employment by Region
Employment by Gender
Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
Employment by Visible Minority
Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census. Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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