Canada’s leading exploration industry is a major source of employment for the country’s workforce, providing opportunities for a number of specialist professionals. Employees may work above or below ground and are involved in the exploration and mining of natural resources.
Much of the work, including that undertaken by miners, may require living away from home or relocating. Qualified miners earn salaries of between C
$80,000 and C
$85,000 and may have the opportunity of working overseas.
Supporting miners in their work are engineers, who use their skills and knowledge to ensure the safe operation of pits, shafts and tunnels. Engineers’ rates vary from C
$68,000 to C
$125,000, depending on experience and individual responsibilities.
Exploration projects are run by project managers, who oversee every stage of an operation. Managers should normally have a degree in engineering or geology and come from an engineering or mining background. They must also have excellent communication skills and effective team-leading abilities. Starting salaries are from C
$80,000, with the potential of earning up to C
$100,000.