Underground Mining Core

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

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.

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).

• 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.

• Delivery is subject to needs assessment.

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

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.

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.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.See links below to more information about PLAR and detailed PLAR candidate guides for the Arts and Sciences courses in this program. To discuss PLAR for other courses in this program, contact us at 1-866-467-4278 and ask for the Program Head of this program.

• Candidate Guide (Department of Arts and Sciences courses)
  • communications, mathematics, sciences, social sciences
• More about PLAR

Transfer Credit

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

• Personal Readiness

• Women in Trades and Technology