NOC 2021 · 83100 · TEER 3
NOC 83100: Underground production and development miners
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Underground production and development miners drill, blast, operate mining machinery, and perform related duties to extract coal and ore in underground mines and to construct tunnels, passageways and shafts to facilitate mining operations. They are employed by coal, metal and non-metallic mineral underground mines and by specialized contractors in mine construction, shaft sinking and tunnelling. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
TEER
TEER 3
Usually needs a college diploma, an apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training
Median wage (Canada)
$42.00 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 3
+20 CRS for Canadian work, or 50 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 83100 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: eligible occupationNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 83100 is in tier 3 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +20 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 50 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 83100 is not on any of IRCC's 2026 occupation categories. You can still be invited through general, program-specific or French-language draws.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Set up and operate drills and drilling machines to produce a designated pattern of blasting holes
- Operate diamond drills or other specialized drills such as raise boring machinery to test geological formations or to produce underground passageways
- Set up and operate mining machinery to shear coal, rock or ore from the working face
- Load explosives, set fuses, and detonate explosives to produce desired blasting patterns and rock fragmentation in underground mines
- Operate scooptram, load-haul-dump (LHD) machine or mucking machine to load and haul ore from stopes, drifts and drawpoints to ore passes
- Perform duties required to ensure safety and to support the mining advance, such as scaling loose rock from walls and roof, drilling and installing rock bolts, extending and installing air and water pipes, operating ore loading machinery, inspecting mine shafts, operating hoists that transport people, equipment and materials through mine shafts, and constructing timber supports and cribbing if required
- Perform routine maintenance of mining machinery.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- blaster - underground mining
- chute blaster - underground mining
- diamond driller - underground mining
- drift miner
- driller - underground mining
- hardrock miner apprentice
- hoist operator - underground mining
- miner
- mining machine operator
- powderman/woman - underground mining
- raise miner
- roadheader operator
- scooptram operator
- shaft inspector
All 81 job titles in NOC 83100
- apprentice miner
- bench blaster - underground mining
- blast hole driller - underground mining
- blaster - underground mining
- blockholer - underground mining
- bolter operator - underground mining
- brine well tender
- chute blaster
- chute blaster - underground mining
- coal miner
- continuous mining machine operator
- core driller
- core driller - underground mining
- core-drill operator
- core-drill operator - underground mining
- cutting machine operator - underground mining
- development miner
- diamond driller - underground mining
- diamond-drill operator
- diamond-drill runner - underground mining
- diamond-point drill operator
- diesel loaderman/woman - underground mining
- downhole loader - underground mining
- drift driller - underground mining
- drift miner
- driller - underground mining
- drilling machine operator - underground mining
- faceman/woman - coal mine
- hang-up blaster - underground mining
- hardrock miner
- hardrock miner apprentice
- high-raise blaster
- hoist operator - underground mining
- hoistman/woman underground mining
- hydraulic coal monitor operator
- in-hole drill operator - underground mining
- in-the-hole (ITH) driller
- jack leg drill operator - underground mining
- jumbo drill operator
- jumbo drill operator - underground mining
- load-haul-dump (LHD) operator - underground mining
- loading machine operator - underground mining
- long-hole blaster - underground mining
- long-hole driller - underground mining
- longwall coal shearer operator
- miner
- mining machine operator
- mucker - underground mining
- mucking machine operator
- mucking machine operator - underground mining
- potash miner
- powderman/woman - underground mining
- production driller
- production loader operator
- production miner
- raise boring machine operator - underground mining
- raise driller - underground mining
- raise miner
- raiseman/woman
- ring drill operator
- roadheader operator
- rockbolter
- roof bolter
- rotary raise driller - underground mining
- scoop operator - underground mining
- scooptram operator
- scooptram operator - underground mining
- shaft driller
- shaft inspector
- shaft miner
- shearer operator - underground mining
- shearing machine operator - underground mining
- shot firer
- shot firer - underground mining
- shotman/woman - underground mining
- slusher operator - underground mining
- soft rock miner
- stope driller - underground mining
- stope miner
- undercutter operator - underground mining
- wagon drill operator - underground mining
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Formal training of up to six weeks followed by extended periods of specialized training as a helper or in support occupations is usually provided.
- Previous experience as a mine labourer or in other mine occupations is usually required.
- Provincial blasting licence may be required.
- May be certified in the basic common core program or as an underground hard rock miner in Ontario.
- Trade certification for miners is available, but voluntary, in Quebec.
- Company licensing or certification is often required for occupations in this unit group.
- Certificate in first aid may be required.
Additional information
- Mobility is possible to other occupational groups in underground mining such as underground service and support occupations.
- 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.
- Progression to mining supervisor is possible with experience.
This occupation may be regulated in some provinces. You may need a licence or certificate from the provincial regulator before you can work in it in Canada, even if you hold permanent residence.
Wages
Wages for NOC 83100 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $28.00 | $42.00 | $56.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $28.75 | $40.00 | $53.70 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $22.89 | $32.00 | $55.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| New Brunswick | $22.00 | $38.46 | $56.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Quebec | $28.00 | $42.00 | $65.93 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $27.52 | $39.70 | $56.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $22.89 | $38.00 | $56.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $31.00 | $47.00 | $57.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Alberta | $28.00 | $43.00 | $52.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| British Columbia | $34.97 | $43.00 | $50.33 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nunavut | $30.00 | $41.00 | $60.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank rates the 3-year outlook as good or very good in Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan.
GoodNewfoundland and Labrador
The employment outlook will be Good for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in Newfoundland and Labrador:
Approximately 2,150 people work in this occupation.
Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 76%
Support activities for mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 213): 20%
38% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 62% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 34 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 87% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 13% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 11% compared to 11% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 33% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 30% compared to 17% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 22% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 14% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations
GoodSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Good for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
The mining industry in Saskatchewan is projected to have a heavy demand for workers, up to 15,000 over the next decade driven by ambitious plans for growth of the industry and the aging workforce.
Having 27 of the 34 critical minerals, provincial and federal investment in the province’s mining sector to make it a leader in critical mineral production will support jobs for mining workers.
Major projects expected to launch in 2026 and 2027 will boost job growth in this occupation. BHP’s Jansen Stage 1 is set to create 600 jobs, while the McIlvenna Bay copper mine will require about 400 full-time workers.
Investment in automation and digitization of underground extraction activities for increased efficiency, productivity and safety may impact a few jobs and more so job functions and skill requirements for some workers.
Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 2,850 people work in this occupation.
Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 83%
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 9%
66% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 34% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 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 16% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 10% compared to 11% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 64% compared to 33% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 19% compared to 15% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 6% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 18% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations
ModerateQuebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
People in this occupation typically work for companies that operate underground mines, or for companies that provide services to them, such as subcontractors or specialists in mine, shaft, and tunnel construction. Demand therefore depends on activity in the underground mining sector, rather than in open-pit mines. Technological advances such as automation and remote control can also impact the number of workers needed and the skills required.
Although the situation could change rapidly, this occupation will benefit from the anticipated strength in the mining sector. This will be fueled by several positive factors, including the price of gold, which is expected to remain high due to economic uncertainty, as well as interest in strategic minerals (lithium), which will stimulate exploration and the development of mining projects.
While mining deposits are mainly found in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Nord-du-Québec and Côte-Nord, fly-in, fly-out services and accommodations are often offered at remote work sites.
Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in Quebec:
Approximately 6,750 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): 82%
48% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 52% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 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 12% 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: 19% compared to 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 17% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 55% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 7% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
ModerateNunavut
The employment outlook will be Moderate for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Nunavut for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Employment prospects for this occupation follow commodity boom-and-bust cycles.
Uncertainty related to international trade adds volatility to international commodity markets and may lead to fast-paced boom-and-bust cycles in the territory's mining industry over the forecast period, 2025-2027.
In 2025, Nunavut's mining industry has benefited from elevated gold and silver prices and increased investment in these commodities, which may open up new employment opportunities.
Nunavut's metal ore mining industry has expanded rapidly since 2009. However, temporarily reduced activities at the Mary River iron ore mine in 2025, related to the Steensby railway project, limit job prospects at the start of the forecast period.
Many employees in this occupation are fly-in fly-out workers and reside outside the territory.
Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in Nunavut:
Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 93%
Other Commercial Services (NAICS 54-56, 81): 7%
40% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 60% work only part of the year, compared to 72% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 31 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 56% compared to 37% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
LimitedNew Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Limited for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in New Brunswick:
Approximately 300 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212-213): 90%
Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 7%
35% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 65% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 34 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
5% of underground production and development miners are self-employed compared to an average of 10% 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: 23% compared to 11% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 28% compared to 30% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 26% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 15% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
LimitedManitoba
The employment outlook will be Limited for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Demand for this occupation is driven by global commodity prices and demand for critical minerals for clean energy transition.
Key trends in this occupation include automation and robotics involving autonomous drilling, loader trucks, drones, and haulage that operates with minimal worker intervention.
Jobs are concentrated in the Parklands and North regions. The Southwest region is home to the province's only potash mine.
Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in Manitoba:
Approximately 1,200 people work in this occupation.
Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 76%
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 20%
63% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 37% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 20% compared to 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 60% compared to 31% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 13% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
LimitedAlberta
The employment outlook will be Limited for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Thermal coal mining operations have greatly declined in the past few years, as energy producers in Alberta have shifted away from coal consumption.
Proposed new coal mining projects and expansion of existing metallurgical coal operations may possibly create some employment opportunities in the long-term.
Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in Alberta:
Approximately 2,800 people work in this occupation.
Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 63%
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 22%
Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 6%
Construction (NAICS 23): 6%
42% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 57% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 38 weeks compared to 42 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: 87% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 13% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 18% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 50% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 16% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
LimitedBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Limited for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
British Columbia has extensive mineral reserves and key projects targeting essential metals and minerals; the growth of the mining sector is driven by demand for critical minerals that are essential for electric vehicles (EVs) and green technologies (such as lithium and copper) and the price of precious metals (such as gold).
Over the forecast period from 2025 to 2027, uncertainty related to international trade policies could influence growth in the province's mining industry; in response, both the federal and provincial governments are seeking to fast-track major mining projects to mitigate these challenges.
Looking ahead, new mining projects in the North Coast/Nechako, Kootenay, and Thompson-Okanagan economic regions could begin operations later in the forecast period (2027).
Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in British Columbia:
Approximately 4,300 people work in this occupation.
Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 75%
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 14%
54% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 46% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of underground production and development miners are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 94% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 6% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 12% compared to 8% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 49% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 25% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 10% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
LimitedNorthwest Territories
The employment outlook will be Limited for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Northwest Territories for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Employment prospects for this occupation follow commodity boom-and-bust cycles.
Uncertainty related to international trade adds volatility to international commodity markets and may lead to fast-paced boom-and-bust cycles in the territory's mining industry over the forecast period, 2025-2027.
The Northwest Territories' mining sector is predicted to contract over the forecast period due to falling international diamond prices, declining production and closures at the territory's mature diamond mines.
The Territory's three diamond mines: Diavik, Gahcho Kué, and Ekati, are expected to close by the end of the decade, which will reduce employment opportunities for this occupation. The Ekati Point Lake site shut down in July 2025, leading to hundreds of job losses.
The Diavik mine is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. The mine offered early voluntary separation to its staff in September 2024.
Many employees in this occupation are fly-in fly-out workers and reside outside the territory.
Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in Northwest Territories:
Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 93%
Other Commercial Services (NAICS 54-56, 81): 7%
67% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 33% work only part of the year, compared to 71% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 44 weeks 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: 35% compared to 17% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 45% compared to 26% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 20% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Very limitedNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Very limited for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): more than 95%
53% of underground production and development miners work all year, while 47% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 9% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 38% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 19% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 22% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Very limitedOntario
The employment outlook will be Very limited for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
Not many 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?
Planned mine closures in northern 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 9,050 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): 94%
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
UndeterminedPrince Edward Island
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 83100 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
- 73402 Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction
- 85110 Mine labourers
- 82020 Supervisors, mining and quarrying
- 84100 Underground mine service and support workers
Same occupation group
Underground miners, oil and gas drillers and related occupations
Questions
NOC 83100: common questions
What is the NOC code for underground production and development miners?
What TEER category is NOC 83100?
Is NOC 83100 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 83100 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 83100 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 83100 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 8Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupationsBroad Category
- 83Occupations in natural resources and related productionMajor Group
- 831Occupations in natural resources and fisheriesSub-major Group
- 8310Underground miners, oil and gas drillers and related occupationsMinor Group
- 83100Underground production and development miners
Enquiry
Is NOC 83100 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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