Job description Support Miner in Canada

Find out what work is like for a support miner in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Underground mine service and support workers (NOC 84100).

Underground mine service and support workers

Description

Underground mine service and support workers perform a range of duties related to the operation of orepasses, chutes and conveyor systems, the construction and support of underground structures, passages and roadways, and the supply of materials and supplies to support underground mining. They are employed by coal, metal and non-metallic mineral mines.

Work week duration

Underground mine service and support workers usually work more than 40 hours per week.
More than 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Underground mine service and support workers have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Operate and maintain ore chutes or conveyor systems to control flow of ore or coal in underground mine
  • Operate construction equipment such as bulldozer, grader or backhoe to build and maintain underground passages and haulageways
  • Construct and repair wood or metal supports and structures such as bulkheads, platforms, drift doors and chutes using construction and mining tools
  • Attach and extend ventilation and water pipes and related mine services
  • Assist miners in setting up and operating various drills and other mining machinery
  • Supply and maintain backfill distribution of sand, rock or other materials
  • Operate diesel or electric track haulage equipment such as ore trains to distribute personnel and supplies and to convey ore from orepass to primary crusher or skip
  • Maintain supply storage areas and maintain equipment and supplies such as explosives, drill bits, fire extinguishers, lamps and batteries
  • Perform routine maintenance of machinery.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Handling material manually
  • Standing
  • Bending or twisting the body
  • Making repetitive motions
  • Walking and running

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Underground mine service and support workers are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Coal, metal and non-metallic mineral mines

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Dangerous chemical substances
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Hazardous conditions
  • Outside, under cover
  • Sound and noise
  • Standard safety equipment
  • Vibration
  • Indoors, not environmentally controlled
  • Extremely bright or inadequate lighting

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Close (at arm’s length)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 84100), and a list of similar occupations:

  • backfiller - underground mining
  • blaster helper - underground mining
  • cage tender
  • conveyor operator - underground mining
  • crusher operator - underground mining
  • driller helper - underground mining
  • haulageman/woman - underground mining
  • lamp keeper - underground mining
  • materialman/woman - underground mining
  • mine construction worker
  • orepass tender - underground mining
  • pipeworker - underground mining
  • raise miner helper
  • skip tender
  • timberman/woman - underground mining
  • trainman/woman - underground mining

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Underground mine service and support workers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
Date modified: