Mining refers to the extraction of minerals and specific substances from the environment. Alberta’s mining industry is a significant employer—both in direct mining operations and in the industries that surround and support it. Professional drivers can find gainful employment directly at mine sites or with employers who provide mining support services, like road building and hauling mining equipment and fuel.

Drivers who work in mine sites may run a variety of heavy equipment that’s only operated on private mine sites. Since this work takes place on private property, there may not even be a requirement for a commercial driver’s licence.

Drivers may continue to build their careers in the mining industry or use the experience they gain to enter other trucking and busing sectors.

  • Seasonality

    Work is nonseasonal but project-dependent.

  • Method of Pay

    Drivers at mine sites are generally paid by the hour. Drivers for mining support companies may be paid hourly or may be paid by the load, distance (i.e., by the mile), or a combination of different methods.

Equipment and Tasks

The equipment and tasks a driver encounters in this sector will depend on whether they work specifically in the mine itself or for a mining support company that delivers services to mines.

  • Equipment

    Drivers who work on mine sites perform tasks that are specific to mining operations, such as driving large haul trucks. They may also drive trucks that transport fuel and oils to service mining equipment. Those driving for mining support companies may drive high tractor-trailers to deliver suppliers to mine sites and may also operate roadbuilding equipment to access mine sites.

  • Tasks

    The responsibilities of haul truck drivers will include:

    • Inspecting their vehicles
    • Loading and unloading
    • Driving the vehicle on the designated routes, which can be repetitive.

    Drivers at mining support companies can expect to perform common driving-specific tasks, like city and highway driving, pre-and post-trip vehicle inspections, cargo securement, and customer service-related responsibilities.

Lifestyle in the Industry

The lifestyle for drivers in the mining industry depends greatly on whether the driver works for a mining support company or has a position in the mine itself, like as a haul truck driver.

  • Work Shifts

    Shifts are often 12 hours in length and alternate between day and night. This ensures that 24-hour operations continue at most mines.

  • Physical Demands

    In this sector, physical demands vary. Haul truck drivers have less physically demanding positions and spend most of their time driving. Mining support service drivers may have to do much more climbing and lifting as part of their duties.

  • Work/Life Balance

    Mining support drivers will see a work/life balance that varies depending on where they live and where the mine is located. Haul truck drivers and other individuals who specifically work in the mine often work a shift rotation (such as 14 days on and 14 days off). They may be home every night if they’re close to the mine, or they may be located at a work camp during their shift rotation.

  • Predictability

    Drivers working in the mine have predictable work, and shifts are generally planned out on a rotation; however, there can be uncertainty between mining projects. Predictably for mining support drivers will vary between employers.

  • On-Call

    Mining drivers, like haul truck drivers, may have opportunities for overtime but do not generally see on-call work. Drivers at mining support companies are more likely to have an on-call component to their jobs, especially if they’re required to service broken equipment.

  • Unionization

    Unionization is common in the mining industry.

Getting Started

Potential drivers will first undergo pre-hire safety checks. Once hired, they’ll receive client orientations to specific sites (which could take several days), undergo an internal safety orientation on company-specific policies, are generally assigned a mentor, receive training, and are given regular evaluations under the supervision of trainers.

Drivers may also get their start by applying for a different position at a company, like a labourer. From there, they can notify their employer of their interest in driving. Internal promotions, which allow individuals the opportunity to operate different types of equipment, are common.

  • Mandatory
    Requirements

    Mining support drivers will need the correct class of licence for the vehicles they operate on public roadways. Mining drivers that only operate on private mine sites, like haul truck drivers, don’t need a specific licence. Drug and alcohol testing is common. Drivers may also need to be clean-shaven to wear a respirator.

  • Preferred Skills &
    Previous Experience

    A Class 1 licence is a major asset even for positions where it’s not required; this is because it demonstrates a familiarity with large vehicles. Previous experience in heavy industries (like oil and gas, mining, and farming) is also an asset, along with a positive attitude toward safety.

Red Flags

Drivers in this sector work alongside large equipment and are exposed to hazards from chemicals and substances specific to the site in which they’re working. People interested in starting a career as a driver in this sector should be on the lookout for these potential red flags (aka signs that an employer may not be operating safely):

  • Equipment and vehicles that are in poor condition.
  • Being pressured to become an owner-operator early into one’s career or any other signs of employee misclassification.
  • A lack of safety training by an employer, including transportation-specific training for the vehicles being driven and training on how to safely load and unload equipment.
  • A lack of a significant safety program.
Quick Facts:
  • Mining is a large industry in Alberta that can be found in all regions of the province.
  • Living in work camps is common when working specifically at a single mine.
  • Many driving positions at mine sites don’t require a commercial licence and offer an option to get experience driving large vehicles while training for a Class 1 licence.
  • Because many on-site mining driving jobs don’t require a commercial licence, experience in this industry will not be useable in other trucking industry sectors unless a driver gets a Class 1 licence.

More Help

Are you interested in learning more about working safely in transportation? Check out our Resources page for insights from industry experts and organizations. We’ve taken great care to present information relevant to those interested in truck and bus driving careers, those already employed in trucking or busing, and employers navigating labour challenges.

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If you have questions or want to learn more about the content of this website, please contact the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA). AMTA employs experts in trucking and busing across Alberta. We would be happy to help you further.

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