Underground Mining Core

Program Overview

The mining industry in Northern Saskatchewan is facing a shortage of skilled underground mine workers. To help develop a homegrown mining labour force, Saskatchewan Polytechnic has partnered with mining companies and Northlands College to offer three innovative programs: Underground Mining Core, Underground Mining Raise Boring and Underground Mining Shaft Operations.

Underground Mining Core is the introductory program. If you’re interested in working in Northern Saskatchewan’s mining industry, this is your starting point.

Mining can be a physically demanding career. You need to be comfortable working around heavy machinery and equipment; you also need to be comfortable working underground. But the biggest key to success is a commitment to safety.

Underground Mining Core is a certificate program that provides basic entry-level skills in mine safety and radiation safety. The program is offered in rural or remote communities as well as at operating mine sites in Northern Saskatchewan.

You’ll learn about the mining industry and key stages in the mining process: exploration, development, production and decommissioning. You’ll also learn about:

roles and responsibilities of employees and employers
7 days-in/7 days-out shift rotations at fly-in mine sites
workplace conditions
mining equipment
operating procedures
preventative maintenance procedures
underground mining processes (drilling, blasting and ore movement)
certified training required by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Earning an Underground Mining Core certificate prepares you for entry-level positions with mining companies and contractors in Northern Saskatchewan. With additional experience and training, you can advance to become a development or production miner.

Length and Start Date

Start Date(s): Varies

Program delivery depends on industry demand.

For information regarding program dates and registration, contact Northlands College. For all other inquiries, contact Richard Long at richard.long@saskpolytech.ca or 306-659-4326 (Saskatoon).

Length: Total training time 780 hours

The program operates on a seven day-in/day-out shift rotation.
You will receive 60 hours of training per seven day-in rotation (the equivalent of two training weeks) delivered in a community setting.

Locations

Delivery is subject to needs assessment.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

18 years old (to meet CNSC regulations)
Grade 10
Industry may stipulate other admission requirements consistent with industry standards
English Language Requirement

Note

Standard First Aid and CPR Heartsaver " A" AED (FAID 1001) is not a requirement to graduate from the program but it is offered as part of the program to satisfy safety and due diligence.

Special Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through a special admission assessment. Interested individuals should still apply. Applicants are automatically considered for special admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met. Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Special Admission.

ACCUPLACER©

Not applicable at this time

Admission Method

Application must be made directly to Northlands College. Call Northlands toll free at 1-888-311-1185.

Tuition and Fees

For information regarding program dates and registration, contact Northlands College. For all other inquiries, contact Allan Willms at allan.willms@saskpolytech.ca or 306-765-1613.

Courses

Expand All +

Code

Name/Description

Credits

GEOL 145

Ground Control 1

The course provides information on rock formations, rock properties, sources of ground movement, equipment and a demonstration of scaling procedures.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 40.0
Prerequisites(s): MINE 141
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

GEOL 146

Ground Control 2

Building on the knowledge acquired in GEOL 145 (Ground Control 1), you will receive an introduction to the hands-on scaling procedures used to check ground conditions.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 20.0
Prerequisites(s): GEOL 145
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

JOBS 125

Essential Job Skills

You will develop essential job skills by preparing job search documents and practicing effective interpersonal communication skills for the workplace.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 15.0
Equivalent Course(s): COMM 127, TCOM 102
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online

MINE 141

Mine Ventilation 1

You will receive an introduction to the purpose of mine ventilation systems, the types of systems used in underground mines and the components of mine ventilation systems.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 20.0
Prerequisites(s): SUPP 135
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 142

Manual Drilling 1

The course provides an introduction to the types and components of manual drilling equipment (Jackleg and Stoper drills) used in hard-rock mines. The course content includes safety procedures and procedures for rigging-in and operating manual drills.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 40.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 143

Blasting Methods 1

The course provides an introduction to the types of explosives, igniters and detonators. The course content includes safe handling, transportation and storage procedures.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 10.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 144

Ore Movement 1

The course provides an introduction to some of the types of equipment (scooptram, remote controls, ore trucks and conveyors) and procedures used to handle and move muck safely.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 153

Introduction to Radiation Safety

The course provides an introduction to the sources of ionizing radiation, atoms, protons, neutrons, radioactive decay chain, types of ionizing radiation, protection methods, monitoring methods, exposure limits and regulatory reporting procedures.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 30.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 155

Mine Ventilation 2

Building on the knowledge of mine ventilation systems acquired in MINE 141 (Mine Ventilation 1), you will develop the skills needed to install and maintain mine ventilation systems.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 20.0
Prerequisites(s): MINE 141
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 156

Manual Drilling 2

Building on the knowledge and skills gained in MINE 142 (Manual Drilling 1), you will learn how to install rock bolts, prepare the face for drilling and drill patterns. You will also begin to develop hands-on skills operating manual drilling equipment.
Credit Units: 7
Course Hours: 100.0
Prerequisites(s): MINE 142
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 157

Blasting Methods 2

Building on the knowledge and skills gained in MINE 143 (Blasting Methods 1), you will learn the safe use and methods of preparing and blasting single and multiple shots.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Prerequisites(s): MINE 143
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 158

Ore Movement 2

Building on the knowledge and skills gained in MINE 144 (Ore Movement 1), you will learn the safety procedures and skills needed to operate additional types of track and tramming ore handling equipment (slushers, mucking machines and ore trucks).
Credit Units: 7
Course Hours: 100.0
Prerequisites(s): MINE 144
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 159

Shaft Operations

You will study the components of a mine shaft and general shaft safety procedures.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 20.0
Prerequisites(s): MINE 145
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

RIGG 141

Rigging and Staging

The course provides an introduction to the purpose and types of rigging and staging equipment and devices. You will also develop the skills needed to hang pipe and use fixed and mobile staging equipment.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

SUPP 135

Introduction to Mining Safety

You will become familiar with the range of personal protection/fall arrest/respiratory and fire equipment, safe working practices, WHMIS and OH&S regulations.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 54.0
Prerequisites(s): SUPP 155
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

SUPP 155

Introduction to Mining Industry

You will gain an understanding of the types of mineral and metal resources in Saskatchewan, the exploration, development, operations and de-commissioning cycle, and types of surface and underground mining operations.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 40.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

WORK 144

Work Experience 1

The course provides an introduction to working conditions and activities in an underground mine.
Credit Units: 0
Course Hours: 75.0
Prerequisites(s): COMM 185
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Work Experience - Group, Work Experience -Individual

WORK 148

Work Experience 2

Building on the practical skills and experience you gained in WORK 144 (Work Experience 1), you will have an opportunity to develop your hands-on practical skills and knowledge.
Credit Units: 0
Course Hours: 75.0
Prerequisites(s): WORK 144
Potential Learning Method(s): Online, Work Experience - Group, Work Experience -Individual

PLAR & Transfer Credit

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways and through many different means. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

More about PLAR

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit from or to another college or university. Learn more about Transfer Credit.