Careers in BC’s Minerals Industry
Mining in British Columbia 2009
11 Metal Mines
10 Coal Mines
>35 major Industrial
Mineral Operations
>1100 Aggregate
quarries
In 2009 there were also:
88 significant mineral
exploration projects, 30 mine
development applications and
6 fully permitted mine
development projects*
*British Columbia Mines and
Mineral Exploration Overview 2009:
BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and
Petroleum Resources, 2010.
Mining in British Columbia
In 2009:
$851 million in total salaries and benefits*;
$859 million in 2008
$413 million in direct taxes to governments*;
$545 million in 2008
$110, 800 average annual salary*; $112, 900 in 2008
*Metal and coal operations data only, from The Mining Industry in British Columbia,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, May 2010
$154 million in mineral exploration expenditures in 2009 –
a drastic fall from $367 million in 2008 due to the global
economic crisis but still the 6th highest provincial
expenditure in the past 20 years. ***
***British Columbia Mines and Mineral Exploration Overview 2009: BC Ministry of
Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2010.
Following the 2008 trend, the BC Minerals Industry
provided ~14, 000 direct jobs and > 42,000 indirect jobs
in 2009**
**Mining Economic Task Force Report, January 2009.
Number of indirect jobs calculated based on a conservative estimate that for every
direct job, 3 indirect jobs are created.
Available
Land
Resources
Reclamation
1-4 years
Monitoring
5 years - 
Exploration
8-10+ years
Environmental
Assessment
& Approval
Ongoing stakeholder
consultations
Closure
1-2 years
Construction
Operation
10-30 years
1-3 years
Employment in the BC Minerals Industry
•Mining Operations – 21 metal and coal mines, more than 35 major
industrial mineral operations and more than 1100 aggregate quarries
in BC
•Head and Regional Offices - >12 major mining companies with
offices in Vancouver and interior communities
•Junior Mining Companies – upwards of 700 companies in greater
Vancouver alone; junior mining companies hold exploration and
development properties
•Mining Suppliers, Contractors and Consultants – hundreds of
companies that supply and service the minerals industry from bush
airlines to steel ball suppliers to environmental engineers to mining
law counsel and accountants
BC-based companies work all around the world!
Jobs at Mining Operations (alone)
Accountant
Administrator
Assayer
Auto Mechanic
Bit Grinder
Blaster
Boilermaker
Bucker/Core Splitter
Business Analyst
Buyer
Cable Bolter
Cableman
Cage Tender
Carpenter
Chemical Technician
Chemist
Communications and Public
Relations Officer
Control Room Operator
Crusher Operator
Cyclone Operator
Diamond Driller
Dig Operator
Dozer / Grader Operator
Driller
Electrical Engineer
Electrician
Employee Relations Officer
Environmental Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Electrician
Employee Relations Officer
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Technologist
Equipment Operator
Fillman
Filter Operator
Floor Operator
Gasfitter
Geological Engineer
Geologist
Geotechnical Engineer
Haulage Truck Operator
Health and Safety Officer
Heat/Vent/Refrigeration
Mechanic
Heavy Duty Mechanic
Heavy Equipment Operator
Hoistman
Human Resources Officer
Instrumentation Mechanic
Janitor
Junior Analyst
Labourer
Leach Plant Operator
Lube Journeyman
Machinist
Marketing Officer
Materials Analyst
Mechanical Engineer
Metallurgical Technician
Metallurgical Engineer
Mill Operator
Mill-Services Utilityman
Millwright
Mine Manager
Mine Systems Specialist
Miner
Mineral Process Engineer
Mining Engineer
Mining Technologist
Mobile Crane Operator
Network Analyst
Pebble Crusher Utilityman
Personnel Driver
Pipefitter
Plant Analyst
Plumber
President, General Manager
Pressure Washer
Process Engineer
Process System Technician
Project Engineer
Protective Services Officer
Pumpman
Purchasing Agent
Refrigeration Mechanic
Rock Mechanic Engineer
Safety & Public Affairs Officer
Senior Design Draftsman
Shaft Man
Shovel Operator
Steel Fabricator
Surveyor
Systems Analyst
Systems Support Technician
Technical Supervisor Engineer
Technical Support Analyst
Timberman
Tire Repairman
Tool Crib Attendant
Trackman
Trammer
Utilityman
Ventilation Technician
Warehouseman
Wash Bay Attendant
Water / Sewer Treatment Operator
Welder
Head Office
Exploration
Service & Supply
Accountant
Accounting Clerk
Administrator
Business Analyst
Communications and Public
Relations Officer
Controller
Director
Drafstman
Environmental Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Financial Analyst
Geological Engineer
Geologist
Health and Safety Officer
Human Resources Officer
Lawyer
Legal Secretary
Librarian
Mail Clerk
Marketing Officer
Metallurgical Engineer
Mineral Process Engineer
Mining Engineer
Network Analyst
Payroll Administrator
Secretary
Tax Advisor
Transportation Analyst
Accountant
Air Traffic Controller
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Cook
Equipment operator
Expediter
Geologist
Geophysicist
GIS specialist
Lawyer
Pilot (helicopter, fixed wing )
Prospector
Stock Broker
Surveyor
Accountant
Agronomist
Analytical Chemist
Assayer
Auctioneer
Blaster
Driller
Electrician
Engineers – all types consulting
Equipment Operator
Insurance Broker
Lawyer
Machinist
Marketing Officer
Mechanics
Metallurgist
Safety Officer
Salesperson– of everything – equipment,
tires, dispatch software, hoses, specialty
electronics, crushers, bearings, shipping
bags
Secretary
Software Designer
Truck Driver
Welder
Forecast of Mining Workforce Needs
BC Exploration and Mining Labour Shortage Task
Force reported (May 2008) :
•Economic uncertainty in the short to mid term makes predictions
of future growth uncertain.
•There was an expectation of job growth in the mining sector in
2008 that were observed before the economic collapse. 2009
employment in the industry was constant, with growth expected
to return later in 2010.
•A minimum of 8,000 new people will be required to meet current
and future positions in BC over the next 10 years, with a
projected estimate of 15,000 workers needed.
Mineral Resources Development
EXPLORATION
RECLAMATION
MINING
TRANSPORTATION
PROCESSING
FABRICATION
It Comes From a Mine