Mining in Canada

What’s yours is mined!

Did you know we wouldn’t have many of our daily, essential consumer goods without mining.

Metals and minerals are the building blocks of many popular products. They also form the foundation of much of the public infrastructure we take for granted, such as highways, electrical and communications networks and housing.

Here are some examples of mining products in action:

• Batteries - cadmium, lithium, nickel and cobalt

• Musical instruments - copper, silver, steel, nickel, brass, cobalt, iron and aluminum

• Sports equipment - graphite, aluminum, titanium and coal

• Computer and television screens - silicon, boron, lead, phosphorus and indium

• Sun protection and medical ointments - zinc

• Cosmetics and jewellery - gold, diamonds, iron oxide, zinc and titanium dioxide

• Electricity - coal and uranium

• Eyeglasses - limestone, feldspar and soda ash

• Fertilizer - phosphate, nitrogen, sulphur and potash

• Toothpaste – Fluorite

And many more!

Demographics

Based on the current economic climate and forecasted business outlook, MiHR research shows that the Canadian mining industry will need to hire more than 100,000 workers over the next decade. In order to fill these positions, the Canadian mining industry will have to utilize a more diverse talent pool, including women and men from every nationality and cultural background.

Age

Younger workers are making a comeback in the mining industry. For nearly a decade, MiHR’s research has shown that the mining workforce is consistently older than the overall labour force in Canada. However, the mining industry is showing signs of attracting more young people, and MiHR is doing its part to help attract and retain younger workers to create a more sustainable future for the mining industry.

Click here to learn more about our Gearing Up and Green Jobs wage subsidy programs.

Women

Women represent 17% of the mining labour force. Ten years ago, that number was closer to 12%, meaning that the number of women working in the sector has increased by 40% in a decade. MiHR’s Gender Equity in Mining (GEM) Works program is working to attract more women to mining and foster a mining and minerals industry where both women and men have the best opportunities for making great contributions and having rewarding careers.

Click here to learn more about GEM Works.

Immigrants

There are over 36,000 immigrants employed in the Canadian mining sector. Immigrant women make up a 22% of those immigrant workers. The immigrants working in mining are very highly educated, and in terms of age, are more mature than the general mining workforce.

Click here to learn more about MiHR’s Mining Professional Immigrant Network.

Indigenous Peoples

There are about 18,000 Indigenous peoples employed in mining in Canada.

Click here to learn more about MiHR’s Mining Essentials work-readiness training program.

The Canadian mining industry prides itself on its safety culture. Mining companies invest significant time and effort in developing and maintaining a positive safety culture in all aspects of their operations, diligently working with their employees and safety inspectors to reach the goal of zero harm. Mining is a heavily regulated industry in Canada. All mine sites have on-site management professionals dedicated to safety and health in the workplace. Larger mines have numerous specialized safety trainers on site; smaller mines often contract out safety training to specialist companies.

Many companies will start every shift with a safety meeting, openly communicating with employees about possible hazards. This practice is commonly known as a “safety share.”

Compensation, Benefits and Rewards: Consider the entire package

Did you know that the Canadian mining industry is known for its generous compensation and other appealing benefits?

1. Compensation

Compensation includes a base or fixed pay – earnings per hour or per year. It may also include additional compensation for evening, night and weekend work.

2. Benefits

Benefits generally include different types of insurance and retirement benefits, which are either fully or partially paid for by the employer. Types of insurance include:

• Medical, dental and health insurance for the employee and dependants

• Extended prescription coverage for the employee and dependents

• Life insurance

• Supplementary retirement benefits

• Sick leave

• Disability income insurance

• Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP)

Other benefits can include subsidized housing, meals, subsidized daycare, company stock purchase plans, stock options andtransportation.

3. Work-Life Balance The remote location of many mines means that employees work on a “fly in, fly out” schedule. This allows employees work for a period of seven to 21 days, followed by a period off from work. In accordance with Canadian law, mining employers also pay time off for statutory holidays.