83100

Underground production and development miners

TEER 3 — College diploma, shorter apprenticeship or 6+ months training

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Natural resources & agriculture

8 › 83 › 831 › 8310

Definition

Underground 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. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Set up and operate drills and drilling machines to produce a designated pattern of blasting holes
Operate diamond drills or other specialized drills such as raise boring machinery to test geological formations or to produce underground passageways
Set up and operate mining machinery to shear coal, rock or ore from the working face
Load explosives, set fuses, and detonate explosives to produce desired blasting patterns and rock fragmentation in underground mines
Operate scooptram, load-haul-dump (LHD) machine or mucking machine to load and haul ore from stopes, drifts and drawpoints to ore passes
Perform duties required to ensure safety and to support the mining advance, such as scaling loose rock from walls and roof, drilling and installing rock bolts, extending and installing air and water pipes, operating ore loading machinery, inspecting mine shafts, operating hoists that transport people, equipment and materials through mine shafts, and constructing timber supports and cribbing if required
Perform routine maintenance of mining machinery.

Example job titles

•blaster - underground mining
•chute blaster - underground mining
•diamond driller - underground mining
•drift miner
•driller - underground mining
•hardrock miner apprentice
•hoist operator - underground mining
•miner

Overview

Underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) play a vital role in Canada's natural resource sector by drilling, blasting, and operating specialized machinery to extract coal, metal, and non-metal ores. Employed by underground mining companies and specialized contractors, these professionals construct tunnels, shafts, and passageways to facilitate safe and efficient underground operations. Common job titles under this NOC 2021 classification include blaster, drift miner, hardrock miner, and stoping miner.

Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, NOC 83100 is classified as a TEER 3 occupation. To meet the employment requirements, candidates typically need a secondary school diploma and several years of experience as an underground mine labourer or helper. Specialized certifications, such as provincial blasting certificates or underground miner certifications, are often mandatory depending on the specific duties and the province or territory of employment.

As a TEER 3 occupation, skilled workers in this category may be eligible for Canadian immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under the Express Entry system, as well as targeted Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). Candidates must meet all designated language, education, and work experience criteria set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. Please refer to official IRCC and ESDC guidelines for the most current regulations.

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.