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Machine operators, mineral and metal processing

OaSIS code 94100.00

Machine operators in mineral and metal processing operate machinery to process mineral ore and metal.

Overview

Also known as

  • 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
  • Uranium classifier operator
  • Zinc cell operator

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.

Additional information

  • With experience, machine operators may progress to central control and process operators in mineral and metal processing.
  • There is little mobility among the various types of machine operators within the mineral and metal processing industry.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Supervisors, mineral and metal processing (92010)
  • Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing (93100)
  • Foundry workers (94101)
  • Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters (94102)
  • Concrete, clay and stone forming operators (94103)
  • Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing (94104)
  • Labourers in mineral and metal processing (95100)

Skills match:

View occupations with similar skills and abilities requirements

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

94 – Machine operators, assemblers and inspectors in processing, manufacturing and printing

Sub-major group

941 – Processing and manufacturing machine operators and related production workers

Minor group

9410 – Machine operators and related workers in mineral and metal products processing and manufacturing

Unit group

94100 – Machine operators, mineral and metal processing

Occupational profile

94100.00 – Machine operators, mineral and metal processing

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Controlling Machines and Processes
4 - High Level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
4 - High Level
Performing General Physical Activities
4 - High Level
Electronic Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
2 - Low amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
3 - About half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
3 - About half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
2 - Somewhat important
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day

Workplaces/employers

  • Aluminum plants
  • Cement manufacturing plants
  • Copper, lead and zinc refineries
  • Precious metal refineries
  • Steel mills
  • Uranium processing plants

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Auditory Attention
4 - High Level
Control of Settings
4 - High Level
Rate Control
4 - High Level
Reaction Time
4 - High Level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
3 - Moderate Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Operation and Control
4 - High Level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
3 - Moderate Level
Quality Control Testing
3 - Moderate Level
Troubleshooting
3 - Moderate Level
Coordinating
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Stress Tolerance
4 - Highly important
Analytical Thinking
3 - Important
Attention to Detail
3 - Important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RCI

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • 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.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations
2 - Intermediate Level
Electrical and Electronics
1 - Basic Level
Geological Resources
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Manufacturing, Processing and Production
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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