Job prospects Undercutter Operator - Underground Mining in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region

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

Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Assessment Methodology

The employment outlook will be good for Underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in the Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean region for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• A moderate number of 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 from the anticipated strength of the mining sector.

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), 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.

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.

While the employment outlook for this occupation is very good at the provincial level, it will be limited or moderate in three regions.

Here are some key facts about Underground production and development miners in the Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean region:

• Approximately 240 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Underground production and development miners mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 82%
  • Transportation and warehousing (NAICS 48-49): 6%

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology