National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011

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National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011
Introduction

8411 - Underground mine service and support workers

Underground mine service and support workers perform a range of duties related to the operation of orepasses, chutes and conveyor systems, the construction and support of underground structures, passages and roadways, and the supply of materials and supplies to support underground mining. They are employed by coal, metal and non-metallic mineral mines.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • backfiller - underground mining
    • blaster helper - underground mining
    • cage tender
    • conveyor operator - underground mining
    • crusher operator - underground mining
    • driller helper - underground mining
    • haulageman/woman - underground mining
    • lamp keeper - underground mining
    • materialman/woman - underground mining
    • mine construction worker
    • orepass tender - underground mining
    • pipeworker - underground mining
    • raise miner helper
    • skip tender
    • timberman/woman - underground mining
    • trainman/woman - underground mining

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction (7372)
    • Mine labourers (8614)
    • Underground production and development miners (8231)

  • Main duties

    Underground mine service and support workers perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Operate and maintain ore chutes or conveyor systems to control flow of ore or coal in underground mine
    • Operate construction equipment such as bulldozer, grader or backhoe to build and maintain underground passages and haulageways
    • Construct and repair wood or metal supports and structures such as bulkheads, platforms, drift doors and chutes using construction and mining tools
    • Attach and extend ventilation and water pipes and related mine services
    • Assist miners in setting up and operating various drills and other mining machinery
    • Supply and maintain backfill distribution of sand, rock or other materials
    • Operate diesel or electric track haulage equipment such as ore trains to distribute personnel and supplies and to convey ore from orepass to primary crusher or skip
    • Maintain supply storage areas and maintain equipment and supplies such as explosives, drill bits, fire extinguishers, lamps and batteries
    • Perform routine maintenance of machinery.

  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Previous formal training of up to six weeks followed by periods of on-the-job training as a helper or in support occupations is usually required.
    • Previous experience as a mine labourer is usually required.
    • May be certified in the basic common core program in Ontario.
    • Company licensing or certification is often required for occupations in this unit group.

  • Additional information

    • Mobility is possible to other occupational groups in underground mining.
    • There is mobility between employers within each of the three following sectors: underground coal mining, underground hard rock mining and underground potash, salt or soft rock mining.
    • Mobility between these sectors is somewhat limited by differences in production technologies.
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