National Occupation Code (NOC): 73402

Drillers and blasters in surface mining, quarrying and construction operate mobile drilling machines to bore blast holes in open-pit mines and quarries and to bore holes for blasting and for building foundations at construction sites. Blasters in this unit group fill blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore and rock or to demolish structures. They are employed by mining, quarrying and construction companies and by drilling and blasting contractors.

Follow This Occupation Share

Employment Requirements for Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• On-the-job training is provided.
• Experience as a heavy equipment operator may be required for drillers.
• Experience as a blaster helper in surface mining and quarrying or construction may be required for blasters.
• Provincial blasting licence is usually required for blasters.
• Trade certification for blasters is compulsory in Nova Scotia.

Alternate Job Titles

• Air-track Drill Operator - Construction
• Blaster - Quarrying
• Blaster - Surface Mining
• Blaster (except Underground Mining)
• Construction Blaster
• Construction Driller
• Core Drill Operator - Construction, Surface Mining And Quarrying
• Diamond Drill Operator - Surface Mining And Quarrying
• Driller - Quarrying
• Driller - Surface Mine
• Driller - Surface Mining
• Drilling Machine Operator - Construction
• Foundation Drill Operator
• Foundation Drill Operator - Construction
• Open-pit Blaster
• Open-pit Driller
• Quarry Driller
• Rotary Drilling Machine Operator
• Rotary Drilling Machine Operator - Surface Mining And Quarrying
• Seismic Prospecting Driller