Ontario Mining Industry Needs 5,000 Additional Workers by 2030

Ontario’s mining industry will need 5,000 additional workers by 2030 to meet growing demand, the Ontario Mining Association stated. The provincial government reported 35 significant mineral projects underway with the potential to reach production in the next decade. An aging workforce and limited awareness of mining careers contribute to the shortage, the association said.

Twenty-one percent of the province’s mining workers are over age 55. The association noted competition with other sectors such as energy, construction, and manufacturing for skilled tradespeople.

The federal government launched the first of six planned workforce alliances for mining and minerals. The alliance will identify industry-led solutions to strengthen the skilled workforce, according to a government news release. On June 4 the province announced $3,270,899 for Science North to establish a training centre at its Dynamic Earth site in Sudbury.

The centre is projected to train 7,000 individuals annually in mining, construction, and related sectors, for a total of 35,000 new trainees over five years. Some mining companies operate their own training programs. One firm runs a three-month program at its underground school that pays participants and guarantees full-time employment upon completion.

Northern College revised its mining engineering technician program after consulting industry partners. The college’s dean of mining, trades technology and apprenticeships said the updated curriculum integrates mine operations and systems more intentionally.

Sudbury MPP Jamie West said children should learn about mining careers at a younger age. Mining companies have used the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program to recruit qualified workers from outside the province. The association president expressed optimism that the 5,000 positions can be filled given current attention on mining projects and expansion efforts.