Underground production and development miners in Outaouais

The employment outlook will be Limited for underground production and development miners (NOC 83100) in the Outaouais region for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

People in this occupation typically work for companies that operate underground mines, or for companies that provide services to them, such as subcontractors or specialists in mine, shaft, and tunnel construction. Demand therefore depends on activity in the underground mining sector, rather than in open-pit mines. Technological advances such as automation and remote control can also impact the number of workers needed and the skills required.

Although the situation could change rapidly, this occupation will benefit from the anticipated strength in the mining sector. This will be fueled by several positive factors, including the price of gold, which is expected to remain high due to economic uncertainty, as well as interest in strategic minerals (lithium), which will stimulate exploration and the development of mining projects.

While mining deposits are mainly found in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Nord-du-Québec and Côte-Nord, fly-in, fly-out services and accommodations are often offered at remote work sites.

Here are some key facts about underground production and development miners in the Outaouais region:

• Approximately 160 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): more than 95%