Drillers and Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction
Other titles : Blaster - surface mining;, Diamond drill operator - surface mining and quarrying;, Driller - surface mining;, Rotary drilling machine operator - surface mining and quarrying.
Details
Description :
Drillers in this unit group 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.
Main duties :
Drillers
- drive and operate tracked or truck-mounted rotary drilling, air-track or other drilling machines to bore large blast holes to specified depths at staked positions in open-pit mine or quarry;
- operate drilling machines to drill blast holes in rock at road or other construction sites;
- operate tracked or truck mounted drill equipped with auger or other attachment to drill holes for building foundations or pilings.
Blasters
- read instructions or diagrams, lay out drill pattern and determine depth and diameter of blast holes and conduct field tests to determine the type and quantity of explosives required;
- assemble or direct other workers to assemble primer charges using selected detonators, fuses detonating cords and other materials;
- load explosives in blast holes by hand or direct the movement of bulk explosives trucks to lead holes;
- connect electrical wires, detonating cords or fuses into series and connect series to blasting machines; press handle or button to detonate charges;
- handle, store and transport explosives and accessories in accordance with regulations and ensure that safety procedures are observed.
Regions where this career
has the best propspects:
- Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Training
Diplôma of Vocational Studies (DVS)
Programs
- Diamond Drilling
- Forage et dynamitage
Diamond Drilling
Program length : less than a year
Program Objectives
To develop in the students the competencies required to integrate smoothly into the school and work environments, to safely perform the work, to prepare drilling operations, and to perform drilling operations.
Where this program is available
Forage et dynamitage
(Training program available in French only)
Program length: 1 year
Program Objectives
Faire acquérir à l’élève les compétences de base et les compétences particulières nécessaires à l’exécution sécuritaire des tâches en forage et dynamitage ainsi que les compétences nécessaires à une intégration harmonieuse au milieu scolaire et au monde du travail.
Where this program is available
More information
Pour une carrière en or : tes perspectives d'emploi dans l'industrie minière (in french only).