Sector
Copper, gold and zinc mine projects: status, trades and pay
Updated September 26, 2026
McIlvenna Bay in east-central Saskatchewan produced its first copper and zinc concentrate in 2026. Red Chris in northwest B.C. has major approvals to expand underground. As of July 2026, Newmont had not made its final decision to invest.
On July 30, 2026, Eldorado Gold said McIlvenna Bay had produced its first copper concentrate and first zinc concentrate. It expected commercial production later in the third quarter of 2026. The page also covers the Red Chris Mine Expansion, in northwestern British Columbia. For job postings, check the careers pages of the companies named on this page.
Does Werko track job postings for these projects?
Werko does not track job postings for copper, gold and zinc mine projects in B.C. and Saskatchewan yet.
Where each project stands
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| McIlvenna Bay Project, in east-central Saskatchewan.[5] | On July 30, 2026, Eldorado Gold said McIlvenna Bay had produced its first copper concentrate and first zinc concentrate. It expected commercial production later in the third quarter of 2026[1] |
| Red Chris Mine Expansion, in northwestern British Columbia.[5] | Newmont has major regulatory approvals to expand the Red Chris copper and gold mine. The expansion would move mining underground using a method called block caving. Newmont had not made its final decision to invest as of July 2026[2][3][4] |
Who runs each mine
Eldorado Gold owns the McIlvenna Bay Project. Newcrest Red Chris Mining Limited, a company wholly owned by Newmont, runs the Red Chris mine.
Workers and camps
B.C. expects the Red Chris expansion to create about 1,800 jobs during peak construction. The Red Chris work camp would be expanded to hold up to 1,500 workers, up from 1,200. At McIlvenna Bay, the Major Projects Office expects the project to support 450 to 580 jobs during construction. The 2025 technical report lists a 418-room camp among facilities built or under construction.
Typical underground mine trades
| Trade | Typical work for this project type | Ticket rule in B.C. |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Duty Equipment Technician | Underground loaders, trucks, and drill rigs need heavy-duty maintenance. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) | Hoists, ventilation fans, crushers, and conveyors need millwright installation and upkeep. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Industrial Electrician | Underground mines depend on electrical systems for hoists, pumps, fans, and equipment. | Compulsory trade in British Columbia[11] |
| Welder | Mines weld and repair chutes, liners, buckets, and structural steel. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Steamfitter/Pipefitter | Mine dewatering, backfill, and processing systems need piping. | Compulsory trade in British Columbia[11] |
| Instrumentation and Control Technician | Mineral processing plants run on automated controls and field instruments. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Construction Electrician | Camps, shops, and site buildings need construction electrical work. | Compulsory trade in British Columbia[11] |
| Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) | Operates excavators for excavation and material loading. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
| Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer) | Dozers build surface pads, waste rock areas, and tailings areas. | Not a compulsory trade in B.C. |
These trades are typical for an underground copper mine. They are not jobs posted by any one project.
Pay for miners and welders in B.C. and Saskatchewan
Hourly · Data from 2023 to 2024 · Dated November 19, 2025
Tickets you need in B.C.
To work in one of B.C.’s seven compulsory trades, you need one of these:
A journeyperson certificate.
A Trade Qualifier or Uncertified Experienced Worker designation from SkilledTradesBC.
A registered apprenticeship, working under a certified journeyperson or a designated Uncertified Experienced Worker.
Your certificate must cover the compulsory trade you will work in. A Certificate of Qualification from another province or territory counts, and so does an Interprovincial Red Seal. You are exempt while in a SkilledTradesBC-recognized training program that includes work experience.
Sources11
Tickets you need in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan has five compulsory apprenticeship trades:
Construction Electrician
Plumber
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
Sheet Metal Worker
Sprinkler Fitter
If you are not a certified journeyperson, you must register as an apprentice. Register within six months (900 hours) of starting work in these trades.
Sources16
Sources
- Eldorado Gold Reports Solid Q2 2026 Financial and Operational Results; Skouries On Track for Q3 2026
Eldorado Gold Corporation. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Second Quarter 2026 Results
Newmont Corporation. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Minister approves Red Chris mine block-cave amendment
Government of British Columbia (Ministry of Environment and Parks). Retrieved September 15, 2026
- B.C. approves Red Chris mine expansion
Government of British Columbia (Office of the Premier; Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals). Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Projects referred to the MPO
Privy Council Office, Major Projects Office. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- McIlvenna Bay Project
Major Projects Office, Privy Council Office, Government of Canada. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Eldorado Gold Announces First Concentrate Produced at McIlvenna Bay
Eldorado Gold Corporation. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Red Chris Block Cave Information Package
Tahltan Central Government. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Minister’s Reasons for Decision with respect to an application for an amendment to the environmental assessment certificate for the Red Chris Mine
BC Environmental Assessment Office project registry (Minister's Reasons for Decision). Retrieved September 15, 2026
- 2025 Technical Report on the McIlvenna Bay Project, Saskatchewan, Canada
Foran Mining Corporation (2025 NI 43-101 Technical Report on the McIlvenna Bay Project). Retrieved September 15, 2026
- The 7 Compulsory Trades
SkilledTradesBC. Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Wages: Miner in British Columbia
Job Bank (Employment and Social Development Canada). Retrieved September 26, 2026
- Wages: Miner in Saskatchewan
Job Bank (Employment and Social Development Canada). Retrieved September 26, 2026
- Wages Welder in British Columbia
Job Bank (Employment and Social Development Canada). Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Wages Welder in Saskatchewan
Job Bank (Employment and Social Development Canada). Retrieved September 15, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions
Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission. Retrieved September 15, 2026