Underground Mining Shaft Operations

Program Overview

If you’re already working in Northern Saskatchewan’s mining industry, Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Underground Mining Shaft Operations program can provide the training you need to advance into production jobs.

The program is industry driven, meaning it is delivered at northern mine sites by mining companies.

Underground Mining Shaft Operations is a 23-week certificate program offered off campus at northern mine sites in partnership with Northlands College.

The program will prepare you to work as a deck person, cage tender, skip tender and shaft inspector at underground mining operations. You’ll receive a certificate from Saskatchewan Polytechnic on successful completion of the program.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

When you graduate, you’ll have the necessary training and skills to work in entry-level positions in hard rock underground service and development. You could work directly for a mining company or for a mining contractor.

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: 23 weeks

Locations

Delivery is subject to needs assessment.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Grade 10
English Language Requirement

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

COMM 185

Industrial Communications

You will develop employability skills in both oral and written communications, including writing for the workplace, preparing job search documents and developing effective interpersonal communication skills.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 16.0
Equivalent Course(s): COMM 127, COMM 186, COMM 187, COMM 188
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online

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

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 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 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

MINE 160

Ore Movement 3

You will investigate the role that conveyor systems play in an underground mine. You will learn the component parts of a conveyor system and safe operating procedures.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 15.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 161

Cage Tending: Moving People

The course covers safe working practices around a shaft. This includes provincial regulations, inspection procedures, hoist bell signals, emergency procedures and proper loading and transporting procedures for moving people.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 80.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 162

Cage Tending: Moving Material

You will be introduced to the safe working practices required when moving equipment and materials in the shaft, and study provincial regulations. You will also learn how to load and unload materials (including explosives). You will practice how to safely sling, transport and unload various types of loads under the cage.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 80.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 163

Skip Tending

The course covers safe working practices, the components of the loading pocket and skip loading procedures. You will learn how to conduct pre-operational inspections and load wet muck (including uranium ore) safely.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 75.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

MINE 164

Shaft Inspection Procedures

You will receive an introduction to the types and frequency of inspections performed in the shaft. You will perform maintenance procedures on shaft, hoist, hoist ropes, sheave wheels and shaft conveyances.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 70.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Work Based Delivery

RIGG 142

Rigging and Staging

You will learn about the types of rigging and staging equipment and devices. You will also practice hands-on skills to hang pipe and use fixed and mobile staging equipment.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 40.0
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

Get Credit for What You Know

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 for Math and Science courses
- (e.g., APHY, CALC, CHEM, MAT, MATH, PHYS, STAT, etc.)
Candidate Guide for Communication and Social Science courses
- (e.g., COM, COMM, ENGL, PSYC, SOCI, etc.)
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.