Job prospects Undercutter Operator - Underground Mining near Chibougamau (QC)

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This occupation includes job titles whose primary duties and responsibilities lead to positive environmental outcomes. Job Bank uses a list of occupations that were identified as "green" through a task-based analysis conducted by the United States’ Occupational Information Network (O*NET), which was recognized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and adapted to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) in Canada. This list may change over time. Learn more.

Over the past few years (2021-2023), there was a labour shortage for Underground production and development miners near Chibougamau (QC). There were more job openings than workers available to fill them in this occupation.

Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Methodology

The employment outlook will be good for Underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in the Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec regions for the 2024-2026 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.

Although the situation may change rapidly, this occupation will benefit overall from the anticipated strength of the mining sector. This will be fostered by several positive factors, including the price of gold, which is expected to remain high due to economic uncertainty, and the interest in strategic minerals (lithium). These factors will stimulate exploration and the development of mining projects. Growth in the mining industry is likely to be stronger than in the overall job market in Quebec. 

There will be a particularly high demand in mining regions. However, although mining deposits are mainly found in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Nord-du-Québec and Côte-Nord, fly-in, fly-out services and accommodations are often available for remote work sites.

However, major investments are being made in automation and remote control, which affect the skills required.

Despite this, there will be many needs, as this group is already facing a shortage of qualified workers. While there has been a significant improvement in working conditions in this occupation, they remain difficult, which is leading to staff turnover and additional needs. 

Here are some key facts about Underground production and development miners in the Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec regions:

• Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 86%
  • Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 5%

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology