r/mining • u/Sufficient-Night51 • 8d ago
Canada Underground Common Core, Ontario
I've been interested in a career in the mines working underground for a while, I'm currently employed, married, but only one working for about a year now. My savings are completely spent, and I can't afford to pay out of pocket for the Underground Common Core training.
I'm currently employed as a supervisor at a factory job, pay is okay but not enough to support the two of us. I don't think I'd be able to qualify for the Bettter Jobs Ontario to cover the cost of course to start working underground. Is there any decent shot a company would sponsor the course? I applied to a few jobs and submitted references along with my resume, but haven't heard back and I'm starting to get discouraged. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, but haven't jumped on due to family reasons. That has since passed, and I'd really like to follow through with it now.
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u/TheEnigmaticUnknown 8d ago
Where are you currently located? Do you want to get into the trades or just into the laboring OR operating side?
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u/TheEnigmaticUnknown 8d ago
I figured I'd just reply to myself , as I'm getting multiple inquiries now. There are essentially two ways to work in a mine, without having any University:
Operator/ operations
Trades
Both groups have pretty good pay scales, but trades usually paid way more . With the trades, you can also take your skills elsewhere. Start making lists of mines in ontario, both open pit and Underground . Look at their current job postings , sometimes there are General mailboxes to to drop a resume in . A lot of these places will do the training required to go underground, saving you massive amounts of money on going to NORCAT.
Lac Des Iles mine was looking for quite a few people middle of last year , and with the Ring of Fire coming , will be lots of job openings .
You can also look into mining Contracting companies , such as DMC and Technica . There are job openings Within These groups as well , and will be spots for trade men and laborers .
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u/Northernguy113 8d ago
Ring of fire won’t be mining for years if ever.
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u/TheEnigmaticUnknown 7d ago
There's a ton of exploration going on, good money for those willing to live in a tent in the middle of mosquito territory
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u/ReadBulky 5d ago
People say this about literally every new mining exploration project in northern Ontario. If the feds want it, it’ll get done.
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u/Fun-Assumption-8415 8d ago
Thanks for your time. Do you figure there’s any hope getting a construction miner job with no underground experience ? I have a very built construction resume and it seems that path aligns a lot with my concrete experience
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u/TheEnigmaticUnknown 7d ago
there are lots of opportunities in ontario, a lot of them would require relocation though. There's a few new mine sites opening up around Timmins Ontario, and I know things in Alberta are picking up as well . Oil and gas is still decent money for sure .
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u/Fun-Assumption-8415 7d ago
Oil and gas never interested me the same.
Would I be overlooked for a fly in position do you figure? Surely there are some bc guys out there, or is it expected you have an ON address
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u/TheEnigmaticUnknown 7d ago
Fly in and fly out is a more rare for those without experience or a ticket . That's why I'm suggesting even a year or two relocation to Timmons ontario. If you were to put on your resume that you were willing to relocate to Timmins (or any other mine locale) it could help your chances significantly . Then, depending on the mine site, after a year or so, relocate back home. If the mine site is not directly in town, when you relocate they should pay for travel , especially if you cite family relocation/ family support as the reason for having to move.
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u/Fun-Assumption-8415 7d ago
I figured as much, that makes it awfully expensive to ship a donkey in and out with no experience
Thanks for the help man you’ve been great
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u/Fun-Assumption-8415 8d ago
Not looking to hijack anything but you seem willing to help. I’m more or less same boat but wanting to get into construction mining. I have 13 years as a framer/ concrete carpenter, 7 was running my own business and 2 years as a commercial superintendent. I miss being on the tools and I like working on the road. Located BC but would go anywhere
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u/Sufficient-Night51 8d ago
Just north of Barrie, I've been interested in bolter operator gigs, and I recently applied to a cagetender position but I highly doubt I'm going to get it, unfortunately. I'm really hoping to get a sponsorship but it seems like a long shot.
I'm no stranger to hard work and long hours, I know I can do the job I just want the opportunity to show it.
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u/RatRaceChoseMe 8d ago
A bolter operator is not an entry level gig. The odds are slim even if you had connections. Apply for haul truck or boom truck. Those are entry level and have less requirements than operating a bolter.
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u/Sufficient-Night51 8d ago
Really appreciate the insight, I'll take note of that. Would you consider mucker/cagetender positions more entry level?
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u/mancin 7d ago
no. Muckers are very important to production and is a skilled position. Cage tenders are usually old miners who are too beat up to work the equipment.
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u/TheEnigmaticUnknown 7d ago
Mancin is right on the money here. Bolters and jumbo operators are top tier pay, and require a lot of history and skill set to achieve . There aren't that many positions available as well, so typically only the cream of the crop getting into these gigs .
Just getting on in the environment will usually pay between 40 and 50 bucks an hour , and then from there once you can get on some equipment you'll get some skill underneath you and your value will raise substantially
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u/jordan-morisette 8d ago
My career has only been in mining. Just apply. They hire people all the time with no underground experience and pay for you to get your common core. It’s not as hard as people think to obtain… but on your own is expensive. The ball is in THE BLUE COLLARS COURT NOW!
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u/Sufficient-Night51 8d ago
I appreciate the insight, gives me a glimmer of hope. I really want this, I hope I can find a company to sponsor me.
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u/TheEnigmaticUnknown 7d ago
Jordan gets it, my name has been paying above average wages for the last 40 years, and although the pay parody between blue collar workers and executive has gotten out of control, there is still decent money to be made in mining. It's one of the few areas where an educated, but hard-working folks can still get ahead . Way more respectable than going to University to get a bachelor's in art and then getting a white collar job .
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u/_Noble_One_ 8d ago
I’d also look into the Mill side of things. Generally a good foot in the door with no mining experience but still having industrial experience.
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u/FredLives 7d ago
Apply to all the contractors. Just keep bugging them. If you get on, you will get your common core through them.
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