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Loader Operator, Miner, Open Pit Mining Equipment Operator, Scraper Operator, Strip Mining Equipment Operator, Surface Miner, Truck-Shovel Operator
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $25.63 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $30.77 |
| Top | $36.15 |
Interest in operating bulldozers and heavy dredging, paving and surfacing equipment to deepen waterways, reclaim earth fill, lay, spread and compact concrete, asphalt and other surface materials during highway and road construction; and in operating power shovels to excavate rock, ore and other materials from open-pit mines, strip mines, quarries and construction pits
Interest in comparing information to move, load and unload cargo and to clear brush and stumps before logging activities using bulldozers and other heavy equipment
Interest in conducting pre-operational checks on equipment and in cleaning, lubricating and refilling equipment, and in building roads at logging and surface mining sites using bulldozers and other heavy equipment
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
In Alberta, the surface mining industry is primarily concerned with 2 kinds of operations. These include the mining of energy minerals (such as coal or heavy oil sands) and extraction of non-metallic minerals (such as sand, gravel, and lime).
The mining methods and equipment used vary with the type and location of mineral.
Surface mining equipment operators operate equipment such as:
Surface coal mining and oil sands mining in Alberta use 2 basic mining methods (or a combination of both):
In most situations, surface mining equipment operators use large front-end loaders or power shovels with huge buckets (up to 44 cubic metres in capacity). These can load broken overburden and ore into large rear dump trucks (up to 360 metric tons). Truck drivers haul overburden materials to waste dumps and ore to ore-processing plants. In some situations, materials are moved by conveyor belt.
Surface mining equipment operators must identify hazards and controls, as safety is a priority. They must inspect their equipment, report any need for repairs, and maintain operating and service logs. They are in charge of cleaning, lubricating, and refueling their equipment. They may be assigned other duties associated with overall mining operations.
Surface mining equipment operators generally work shifts in environmentally controlled cabs or control rooms. They must be able to sit for long periods of time with exposure to vibration and jarring. They sometimes need to work outdoors. At mines in remote locations, operators may be away from home for 2 to 3 weeks at a time, living and working closely with their colleagues.
Safety precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE, including safety boots, gloves, hard hats, glasses, and hearing protection) are required. PPE reduces the risk of injury associated with working near or with machinery. This occupation also involves a lot of climbing, stooping, crouching, bending, and heavy lifting.
Surface mining equipment operators need:
They should enjoy operating heavy equipment, having clear guidelines and organized methods for their work, and solving problems.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 18 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 19, 2020 and Jan 26, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Operate heavy equipment | 18 |
|---|---|
| Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment | 18 |
| Clean and lubricate equipment and refill equipment tanks | 16 |
| Secure special attachments to equipment | 14 |
| Perform minor repairs to equipment | 14 |
| Type of Heavy Equipment Operated: Backhoe excavator, loader | 9 |
| Complete onboard and other logs | 9 |
| Type of Heavy Equipment Operated: Bobcats | 9 |
| Utilize material safety data sheets (MSDS) | 8 |
| Type of Heavy Equipment Operated: Loader | 7 |
There are no standard education requirements for surface mining equipment operators. Employers often prefer applicants who have a high school diploma and experience working in a mine environment or operating heavy equipment in an industrial setting. An Alberta Class 5 driver’s licence usually is required. Construction Safety Training System (CSTS) and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training are definite assets. Applicants may need to pass a medical exam, pre-employment drug screening test, or Differential Aptitude Test (DAT).
Companies provide on-the-job training. This includes an orientation to mine operations and information about health and safety practices, hazardous waste handling, environmental reporting procedures, standard practices and procedures, and waste management.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
The Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) offers the Canadian Mining Certification Program (CMCP). This industry certification is available to surface miners working for CMCP-participating employers. It recognizes and certifies the skills and competencies of unregulated occupations in the mining industry. For more information, visit the MiHR website.
In Alberta, most surface mining equipment operators work in rock quarries, or in open pit mines that extract oil sand or coal.
Surface mining equipment operators most often start as helpers, labourers, or truck drivers. With experience and on-the-job training they can advance to larger or more complex equipment and possibly to supervisory positions.
As a condition of employment, surface mining equipment operators may need to join a union.
Surface mining equipment operators are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7521: Heavy equipment operators (except crane) occupational group. In Alberta, 82% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the H611: Heavy Equipment Operators (Except Crane) occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.4% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 78 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.54 | $37.00 | $25.63 | $25.00 |
| Overall | $16.54 | $39.90 | $30.77 | $32.00 |
| Top | $19.15 | $48.08 | $36.15 | $38.00 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Transportation and Warehousing | $78,638 |
|---|---|
| Mining | $77,442 |
| Construction | $65,404 |
| Forestry, Logging, Fishing and Hunting | $63,795 |
| Public Administration | $63,369 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $63,241 |
| Utilities | $62,708 |
| Wholesale Trade | $56,973 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $52,578 |
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $47,199 |
| Manufacturing | $43,452 |
| Agriculture | $33,281 |
Canadian Mining Certification Program website: mihr.ca/training-certification
Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) website: mihr.ca
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Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.