Job prospects Undercutter Operator - Underground Mining in Ontario

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Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "undercutter operator - underground mining" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Metal ore mining
• A smaller proportion in support activities for mining

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Steady investments in mining and mineral exploration in Ontario
• Over the longer term, the growing clean technology sector will boost the demand for certain raw materials

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Common Core training

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• The majority of underground metal ore mines are located in northern Ontario, which has the highest concentration of these miners
• Automation and technology are playing a more significant role in the mining industry.

Here are some key facts about Underground production and development miners in Ontario:

• Approximately 6,950 people work in this occupation.
• Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 93%
• 60% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 40% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of underground production and development miners are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 15% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 41% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 21% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 21% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "undercutter operator - underground mining" Underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) or across Canada.

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