Drillers and Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction

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Drillers operate mobile drilling machines to bore blast holes in open-pit mines and quarries and to bore holes for blasting and for building foundations at construction sites. Blasters fill blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore and rock or to demolish structures.

Outlook

Not Available

Wage

Low: $19.00
Median: $28.00
High: $33.00

Training

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • On-the-job training is provided.
  • Experience as a heavy equipment operator may be required for drillers.
  • Experience as a blaster helper in surface mining and quarrying or construction may be required for blasters.
  • Provincial blasting licence is usually required for blasters.

Places of Employment

Mining, quarrying and construction companies, and drilling and blasting contractors

Regulated

No