The CostMine 2012 Survey of Canadian Mine Salaries, Wages and Benefits is the only factual source of information that I know of on the salaries of technical, managerial, and administrative folk who work on Canadian Mines. The data come from fifty-six metal, industrial mineral, and fossil fuel mines. Fourteen are underground operations; thirty-three surface mines. Size ranged from one million to five million tonnes ore or product mined annually.
Let as start with the Secretary; we all know and like them. And as one fellow said to me yesterday: “I could not function without her—she keeps me informed and on track.”
In the eastern region of Canada, the secretary’s wage ranges from $40,200 to $56,000 with an average of $50,800. In the western region the range is $47,100 to $63,400 with an average of $59,100. A big difference—does it reflect differential living costs, more productive mines, or just the hammer-clout of fossil (oil sands) mines? This cannot be, for the average salary for an Administrative Assistant in the east is $55,500, and in the west it is $52,000. Maybe they just define secretary and administrative assistant differently across the country. In fact the Secretary, on average, at metal mines makes $53,700 a year; at diamond and industrial mineral mines $40,200; and at fossil fuel mines $59,000. Diamonds are not the secretary’s best friend.
But then, consider: the eastern accountant on a mine gets, on average, a salary of $76,500 whereas the counterpart in the west gets, on average $91,600. Guess accountants know how to look after the money.
Here are a few more ranges and averages for engineers and geologists (numbers in thousands of dollars per year; the first is the low, the second the average, and the third the upper; these are totals across the country.)
- Senior Engineer: 94/122/177
- Mine engineer: 66/91/126
- Metallurgist = 52/86/115
- Senior Geologist = 90/118/155
- Environmental Coordinator = 63/96/183
I am impressed by the mine environmental coordinator whose salary is $183,000 per year. The mine must have some profound environmental issues.
I see little signficant difference in salaries at surface versus underground mines. But there is a difference by commodity. Here are some numbers: the first for metal mines; the second for diamond and industrial mineral mines; and the third for fossil fuel mines. All in thousands per year.
- General Manager = 200/156/191
- Mine Manager = 144/124/168
- Mill Superintendent = 128/114/153
- Mine Engineer = 91/75/93
- Surveyor = 68/59/66
- Personnel Manager = 109/98/111
A word of caution. These are but a few of the many numbers in the CostMine report. I highlight only those that interest me today. Do not get upset if your salary is way below—keep in mind fifty percent of folk get less than the average.
[...] 2012 Survey Canadian Mine Salaries [...]
What is the salary of a Human Resource consultant? The training that is needed and the qualification to start.
What is the salary of a Chemist? There is almost nothing about.
Are the salaries before site uplift etc? I just ask as I work in mining in Australia and would like to know the average salary of a document controller as I would like to come and work in Canada but these salaries seem alot lower than in Australia but that might just be the cost of living.
The salaries on this page are not exactly accurate, it always depends on the region and the type of mine, your experience, ect. ect. I am a surveyor, I have been in the mining industry directly for 5 years and my gross salary has been anywhere from 90,000 to 140,000.
The nubers come from the CostMine report. They are averages or ranges as noted. Thanks for your information.
I am a recent grad interested in applying for an electrical engineering post at Syncrude. Any advice on my approach ? Thanks in advance.