Machine operators, mineral and metal processing
Classification
Manufacturing & utilities
9 › 94 › 941 › 9410
Definition
Machine operators in mineral and metal processing operate machinery to process mineral ore and metal. They are employed in mineral ore and metal processing plants such as copper, lead and zinc refineries, uranium processing plants, steel mills, aluminum plants, precious metal refineries and cement processing plants.
Main duties
Example job titles
Overview
Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, code 94100 governs Machine Operators in Mineral and Metal Processing. These workers operate multi-function process control machinery or single-purpose machines to process mineral ores and metals. They are primarily employed in mineral processing plants, metal refineries, steel mills, and basic metal product manufacturing industries. Their duties involve setting up, operating, and maintaining equipment that grinds, separates, filters, melts, or refines mineral and metal resources, ensuring strict compliance with safety regulations and production specifications.
This occupation is classified under TEER Category 4, which typically requires a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training. For foreign nationals looking to immigrate to Canada, TEER 4 occupations are eligible for key economic pathways. Candidates may qualify for Canadian permanent residency through specific streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), or regional pilots designed for intermediate-skilled workers, depending on specific job offers and provincial criteria.
Employment requirements generally include completion of secondary school and on-the-job training, though some specialized positions may require previous experience as a helper or laborer within the mineral and metal processing sector. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal immigration advice. For official and up-to-date guidance, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a licensed immigration professional.
Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.
Commonly confused codes
Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.