Machine operators, mineral and metal processing
Occupation · NOC 2021 94100 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 94100
- TEER
- 4
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 47
- Median wage, Canada
- C$35.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 99
OC<CANMACHINE<OPERATORS<MINERAL<AND<METAL<PR 941006<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2
About this occupation
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.
Example job titles
- aluminum classifier
- asbestos dryer
- billet heater
- brick and tile crusher operator
- cement miller
- extrusion press operator
- foil-winding machine operator
- ladle pourer
- lead refiner
- lime kiln operator
- mica sheet laminator
- quenching car operator
- scrap metal shredder
- sintering machine operator
- slurry equipment operator
- steel roller
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Set up, prepare and adjust mineral ore, metal and cement processing machinery to carry out one step in the overall mineral ore or metal processing operation
- Operate single-function machinery to grind, separate, filter, mix, treat, cast, roll, refine or otherwise process mineral ores
- Observe gauges, meters, computer printouts, video monitors and products to ensure correct operation of machinery and verify processing conditions
- Make adjustments to machinery as required
- Record production information and complete reports
- May assist with machinery maintenance or repair.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Experience as a labourer in mineral and metal processing is usually required for machine operators.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 18 |
- Construction & Expertise PG inc.10
- Entreprise Lefebvre Industri-al Inc5
- GLOBAL METAL SOURCES CO., LTD.5
- 3887952 CANADA INC.4
- Les Sables Olimag inc.4
- Northern Cables Inc.4
- Sivaco3
- Contenants Durabac Inc.2
- ArcelorMittal Produit Long Canada2
- Logitech Abitibi2
- CIF Métal Ltée1
- 10497339 Canada Inc.1
- 1660905 Ontario Limited1
- Dero Entreprise inc1
- 5N Plus Inc.1
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 5 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2022 | 5 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$22.00 | C$35.00 | C$50.00 |
| Alberta | C$24.78 | C$36.58 | C$49.56 |
| British Columbia | C$29.30 | C$38.00 | C$46.00 |
| Manitoba | C$22.00 | C$29.00 | C$38.00 |
| New Brunswick | C$19.86 | C$23.67 | C$26.44 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$22.91 | C$34.77 | C$55.30 |
| Nova Scotia | C$18.11 | C$25.96 | C$31.15 |
| Ontario | C$20.00 | C$28.00 | C$40.00 |
| Quebec | C$28.00 | C$40.00 | C$52.35 |
| Saskatchewan | C$21.00 | C$35.00 | C$43.00 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 99
- Vacancies advertised
- 181
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$22.30
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