Careers

May 2011

• Great pay, safe working environment, interesting and challenging work in a variety of occupations, travel and adventure - all these can be yours with a career in the mining industry. 
  

• Mining is one of the fastest growing industries in Saskatchewan.  The direct and indirect workforce in Saskatchewan will grow by 42% in the next 10 years; and 15,000 new employees will be needed in the Saskatchewan mining industry to meet replacement needs as well as fill new positions.

• High demand occupations in the Saskatchewan mining industry include tradespeople, (millwrights, electricians, heavy equipment mechanics, mechanics, welders, pipefitters, steam engineers) miners, supervisors, heavy equipment operators, plant/mill operators, administrative services, engineers, technologists (environmental, instrumentation, laboratory) and geologists.

• In Canada an estimated 80,000 people will be needed within the next ten years -with over 120 occupations to choose from.

• Saskatchewan's mining sector provides provides direct and indirect employment for approximately 30,500 people and is the main private sector employer in northern Saskatchewan.

• The average weekly salary of an employee in the mining industry is almost twice that of the average weekly salary of Saskatchewan employees in other sectors.

• The mining industry spends over $3 billion annually on wages, goods and services.

• The Saskatchewan mining industry is a great employer offering job and career opportunities in a wide range of areas from exploration through production and processing to administration and marketing. All mining companies offer extensive training to their employees.

• Saskatchewan mining is a technological leader with 85% of the work force using advanced technology.

CAREERS IN EXPLORATION

Career opportunities in the exploration area, considered the R & D of the mining cycle would include:

• Geologists
• Geophysicists
• General Field Workers
• Geological Technicians
• Assayers
• Engineers
• Prospectors
• Pilots
• Drillers
  

Exploration activity also generates other career opportunities such as expediting services for food and supplies as well as office staff.

CAREERS IN MINING

Developing the mines, producing and then marketing the minerals produce career opportunities in many areas including:

Engineers

• Mining
• Chemical
• Electrical
• Environmental
• Geological
• Mechanical
• Metallurgical
• Civil

• Millwrights
• Electricians
• Heavy Equipment Mechanics
• Mechanics
  
• Welders
• Pipefitters
  
• Steam Engineers
  
• Machinists

• IT Technicians
• Draftspersons/GIS Technicians
• Environment Technicians
• Instrument Technicians
• Lab Technicians
• Metallurgical Technicians
• Radiation Technicians

OPERATORS

• Draglines
• Drillers
• Heavy Equipment
• Helpers
• Labourers
• Mill Operators
• Miners
• Shovels
• Truck Drivers
  

Safety is a core value of the Saskatchewan mining industry.  The mining industry is proud of its outstanding safety and health achievements. It has a lower lost time accident rate than the provincial average, lower than a number of occupations including government workers and the health sector.  There are over 130 dedicated Safety professionals at Saskatchewan mine sites. Saskatchewan mines have often won National Safety Awards including this year when Cameco's McArthur River Mine won the Regional John T. Ryan Award for metal mines. Careers in this area include:

• Safety Officers including supervisors, trainers and coordinators
  
• OHS Nurses/EMT
  
• Radiation Technicians
  

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALISTS

Environmental stewardship is important to the mining industry.  Environmental practitioners are an important part of the workforce at all mine sites.  Each year, the Saskatchewan mining industry devotes considerable resources and millions of dollars  to reduce it environmental footprint, including activities such as site monitoring, preventions and mitigation of environmental impacts,  decommissioning and reclamation and ongoing research efforts.

• Environmental Technicians
• Biologists/Ecologists
• Environmental Engineers
  

In 2009, Saskatchewan's mining industry produced $5 M of product requiring a variety of marketing and sales specialists.

• Accountants
• Investor Relations
• Financial Analysts

ADMINISTRATION

Running a mine requires more than engineers, technicians and operators. Someone has to purchase supplies, pay bills, do the hiring and attend to numerous essential duties. Careers in mine administration include:

• Human Resources
• Lawyers
  
• Public Affairs
• Purchasing Agents
• Security Guards
• Warehouse Personnel
• Administrative Assistants
  

INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE?

www.saskmining.ca           www.acareerinmining.ca                 www.mihr.ca

Information on specific courses is available from SIAST, Community Colleges, and Universities.