People in Mining

People are the foundation of Canada's mining industry. Since the discovery of coal on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia nearly 350 years ago, the efforts of workers have shaped the mining industry into what it is today—a major player in Canada's economy and a leader on the world stage. In fact, mining is one of the few industrial sectors in which Canadian expertise, technology, and corporate leadership play a significant international role.

 

People in MiningGrowth and prosperity in the Canadian mining industry has also brought its share of human resources challenges. For example, in virtually all skill categories, the number of Canadian mining workers over age 50 is two to five times the number below age 30. These demographics are more pronounced in the mining sector than in most Canadian sectors. In addition to promoting mining careers and opportunities, the mining industry needs to make better use of all potential sources of workers, such as youth, women, Aboriginal people, immigrants, and transitioning workers.

Here are some additional interesting facts about employment in the Canadian mining industry:

• The mining and mineral processing industry employed approximately 363,000 in 2007. Ontario and Quebec each account for more than 18% of these jobs, while Alberta accounts for more than 34%!

• One in every 46 Canadian jobs is related to mining. In the goods producing sector, mining accounts for one in every ten jobs.

• The average weekly earnings for a mining industry worker in 2007 were 30%, 29%, 24%, and 22% higher than the earnings of workers in the construction, manufacturing, forestry, and finance/insurance sectors, respectively.