73402

Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction

TEER 3 — College diploma, shorter apprenticeship or 6+ months training

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: Yes
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Trades, transport & equipment operators

7 › 73 › 734 › 7340

Definition

Drillers and blasters in surface mining, quarrying and construction operate mobile drilling machines to bore blast holes in open-pit mines and quarries and to bore holes for blasting and for building foundations at construction sites. Blasters in this unit group fill blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore and rock or to demolish structures. They are employed by mining, quarrying and construction companies and by drilling and blasting contractors.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Drillers
Drive and operate tracked or truck-mounted rotary drilling, air-track or other drilling machines to bore large blast holes to specified depths at staked positions in open-pit mine or quarry
Operate drilling machines to drill blast holes in rock at road or other construction sites
Operate tracked or truck-mounted drill equipped with auger or other attachment to drill holes for building foundations or pilings
May measure location and stake out pattern of holes to be drilled, load blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore or rock.
Blasters
Read instructions or diagrams, lay out drill pattern and determine depth and diameter of blast holes and conduct field tests to determine type and quantity of explosives required
Assemble or direct other workers to assemble primer charges using selected detonators, fuses, detonating cords and other materials
Load explosives in blast holes by hand or direct movement of bulk explosives trucks to load holes
Connect electrical wires, detonating cords or fuses into series and connect series to blasting machines; press handle or button to detonate charges
Handle, store and transport explosives and accessories in accordance with regulations and ensure that safety procedures are observed
May operate air-track, rotary, down-the-hole or other drilling machines to drill blast holes or may direct drilling of blast holes.

Example job titles

•blaster - quarrying
•blaster - surface mining
•construction driller
•driller - surface mine
•open-pit blaster
•rotary drilling machine operator

Overview

NOC 73402 covers drillers and blasters in surface mining, quarrying, and construction. Classified under TEER 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, these skilled workers operate mobile drilling machines to bore blast holes and handle explosives to displace rock, coal, or ore, or to demolish structures. Common employers include mining and quarrying companies, construction contractors, and specialized drilling and blasting firms across Canada.

To work in Canada under NOC 73402, candidates typically require secondary school completion and on-the-job training. Blasters must hold a valid provincial blasting licence or certification. Because NOC 73402 falls under TEER 3, skilled workers in this occupation may be eligible for Canadian immigration programs such as the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) under Express Entry, various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), provided they meet all specific IRCC program criteria.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For official immigration assessments and legal counsel, please consult with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a qualified immigration lawyer.

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.