National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
2133 - Natural resources engineers
This minor group comprises natural resources engineers, including mining engineers, geological engineers and petroleum engineers. They are employed by governments; consulting, engineering, mining, petroleum, electrical utilities, well logging or testing companies; and research and educational institutions.
21330 - Mining engineers
Mining engineers plan, design, organize and supervise the development of mines, mine facilities, systems and equipment; and prepare and supervise the extraction of metallic or non-metallic minerals and ores from underground or surface mines. They are employed by mining companies, consulting engineering companies, manufacturers, government and in educational and research institutions.
Illustrative example(s)
- mine design engineer
- mine development engineer
- mine layout engineer
- mine production engineer
- mine safety engineer
- mine ventilation engineer
- mineral engineer
- mining engineer
Exclusion(s)
- Engineering managers (See 20010 Engineering managers)
- Geological engineers (See 21331 Geological engineers)
- Geoscientists and oceanographers (See 21102 Geoscientists and oceanographers)
- Metallurgical and materials engineers (See 21322 Metallurgical and materials engineers)
- Mine manager (See 80010 Managers in natural resources production and fishing)
- Petroleum engineers (See 21332 Petroleum engineers)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct preliminary surveys and studies of ore, mineral or coal deposits to assess the economic and environmental feasibility of potential mining operations
- Determine the appropriate means of safely and efficiently mining deposits
- Determine and advise on appropriate drilling and blasting methods for mining, construction or demolition
- Design shafts, ventilation systems, mine services, haulage systems and supporting structures
- Design, develop and implement computer applications such as for mine design, mine modelling, mapping or for monitoring mine conditions
- Plan and design or select mining equipment and machinery and mineral treatment machinery and equipment in collaboration with other engineering specialists
- Plan, organize and supervise the development of mines and mine structures and the operation and maintenance of mines
- Prepare operations and project estimates, schedules and reports
- Implement and coordinate mine safety programs
- Supervise and co-ordinate the work of technicians, technologists, survey personnel, and other engineers and scientists.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in mining engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Additional information
- Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
- Mining engineers work closely with geologists, geological engineers, metallurgical engineers, and other engineers and scientists, and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization.
- Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.
21331 - Geological engineers
Geological engineers conduct geological and geotechnical studies to assess suitability of locations for civil engineering, mining and oil and gas projects; and plan, design, develop and supervise programs of geological data acquisition and analysis and the preparation of geological engineering reports and recommendations. They are employed in consulting engineering companies, electrical utilities, mining and petroleum companies and in government and research and educational institutions.
Illustrative example(s)
- geological engineer
- geophysical engineer
- hydrogeological engineer - engineering
Exclusion(s)
- Civil engineers (See 21300 Civil engineers)
- Engineering managers (See 20010 Engineering managers)
- Geoscientists and oceanographers (See 21102 Geoscientists and oceanographers)
- Land surveyors (See 21203 Land surveyors)
- Mining engineers (See 21330 Mining engineers)
- Petroleum engineers (See 21332 Petroleum engineers)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Plan, develop and coordinate programs of geotechnical, geological, geophysical or geohydrological data acquisition, analysis and mapping to assist in the development of civil engineering, mining, petroleum and waste management projects or for regional development
- Analyze and prepare recommendations and reports for construction or improvements to foundations of civil engineering projects such as rock excavation, pressure grouting and hydraulic channel erosion control
- Analyze and prepare recommendations and reports on settlement of buildings, stability of slopes and fills, and probable effects of landslides and earthquakes to support construction and civil engineering projects
- Conduct theoretical and applied study of groundwater flow and contamination and develop prescriptions for site selection, treatment and construction
- Plan, develop, coordinate and conduct theoretical and experimental studies in mining exploration, mine evaluation and feasibility studies relative to the mining industry
- Conduct surveys and studies of ore deposits, ore reserve calculations and mine design
- Design, develop and implement computer applications for geophysics, geochemistry, geology, mapping and related fields
- Supervise technologists, technicians and other engineers and scientists.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in geological engineering or in a related discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Additional information
- There is considerable mobility between engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
- Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
- Geological engineers work closely with geologists and other scientists and engineers, and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization.
- Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.
21332 - Petroleum engineers
Petroleum engineers conduct studies for the exploration, development and extraction of oil and gas deposits; and plan, design, develop and supervise projects for the drilling, completion, testing and re-working of oil and gas wells. They are employed by petroleum producing companies, consulting companies, well logging or testing companies, government, and research and educational institutions.
Illustrative example(s)
- oil and gas drilling engineer
- oil and gas production engineer
- petroleum engineer
- petroleum reservoir engineer
- petroleum well completion engineer
- subsea engineer
Exclusion(s)
- Chemical engineers (See 21320 Chemical engineers)
- Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services (See 82021 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services)
- Engineering managers (See 20010 Engineering managers)
- Geological engineers (See 21331 Geological engineers)
- Geoscientists and oceanographers (See 21102 Geoscientists and oceanographers)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct feasibility assessment studies for developing new oil and gas fields
- Direct and monitor oil and gas drilling operations
- Develop drilling programs, select sites and specify drilling fluids, bit selection, drill stem testing procedures and equipment
- Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing and well surveys
- Design and select artificial lift machinery, and well and surface production equipment and systems, and specify programs for corrosion control and oil or gas treatment
- Develop specifications for and monitor and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery
- Analyze reservoir rock and fluid data to design optimum recovery methods and to predict reservoir performance and reserves
- Monitor and forecast oil and gas reservoir performance and recommend oil recovery techniques which extend the economic life of wells
- Design, develop and coordinate the installation, maintenance and operation of subsea well-head and production equipment.
Petroleum engineers may specialize in drilling, production, reservoir analysis or subsea operations.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Additional information
- There is mobility between petroleum engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
- Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
- Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.
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