Certifications
The Mines Act requires everyone employed at a mine to be under the daily supervision of a person with a valid and appropriate certificate. The regulations or the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (the Code) set out what kind of certificate is appropriate.
The ministry offers several certifications applicable for mining in British Columbia.
Blasting Certification
The Code requires you to have a Blasting Certificate to perform blasting on a mine site in B.C.
Effective February 2022, there will be changes to the BC Mines Blasting Certifications. Please note the following changes below.
Registration
Blasting exams will be online only and in-person exams will no longer be needed.
It will cost $100 to get your BC Mines Blaster Certificate and you will need to renew it every five years.
- Register for the BC Mines Blaster Certifications Program (link live February 2022)
- Overview of BC Mines Blaster Certifications and Required Experience and Documentation (PDF, 217KB)
- BC Mines Blaster Certifications FAQ (PDF, 383KB)
If you already have a Blasting Certificate it's still valid until the expiry date and you do not need to retake the exam. However, you should register for the BC Mines Blasting Certifications Program before your current certificate expires.
If you would like to get your Blasting Certificate prior to February 2022, please contact Mine.Certifications@gov.bc.ca.
Mine Supervisor Certification
You must hold a Mine Supervisor Certificate if you supervise six or fewer people on an active mine or in another area of a mine, including:
- a mill
- a tailings storage facility
- a lab
- a maintenance area or shop
This applies to all mine and exploration sites in B.C.
Registration
It costs $100 to get your Mine Supervisor Certificate and you must renew it every five years.
Certifications offered at regional mining offices
Some certifications are only available through the regional mining operations offices. Please contact the ministry at Mine.Certifications@gov.bc.ca to apply for one of the following types of certifications:
Shiftboss Certification
You must have a Shiftboss Certification if you supervise more than six people in an active open-pit or underground mine.
Fireboss Certification (Underground Coal Mine Manager)
You must have a Fireboss Certification if you supervise people in an underground coal mine.
Mine Rescue
Depending on the type of mine and number of employees, the Code requires one or more mine rescue teams. Mine Rescue Certification is available upon request.
