NOC 2021 · 73402 · TEER 3

NOC 73402: Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction

NOC 73402 is a TEER 3 occupation. It counts as skilled work for Express Entry under FSW, CEC and FST. It is not on any 2026 category list, so candidates compete in general and program rounds.

Last checked against official sources 2026-10-01

TEER level

FSW · CEC · FST

Express Entry programs that accept it

2026 Express Entry categories

Official job titles under this code

Is this your code?

Drillers and blasters in surface mining, quarrying and construction operate mobile drilling machines to bore blast holes in open-pit mines and quarries and to bore holes for blasting and for building foundations at construction sites. Blasters in this unit group fill blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore and rock or to demolish structures. They are employed by mining, quarrying and construction companies and by drilling and blasting contractors.

IRCC goes by what you actually did, not by your job title: your work must match the description above and most of the main duties below. Compare them with your reference letter line by line.

Job titles filed under this code

Official example titles

blaster - quarrying
blaster - surface mining
construction driller
driller - surface mine
open-pit blaster
rotary drilling machine operator

Search all 20 official titles for this code →

Not this code

Close occupations that have their own code

Blaster - underground mining → 83100 Underground production and development miners
Driller - oil and gas drilling → 83101 Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
Driller - underground mining → 83100 Underground production and development miners
Drilling and blasting foreman/woman - construction → 72021 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
Surface mine supervisor → 82020 Supervisors, mining and quarrying
Water well drillers → 72501

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Drillers

Drive and operate tracked or truck-mounted rotary drilling, air-track or other drilling machines to bore large blast holes to specified depths at staked positions in open-pit mine or quarry
Operate drilling machines to drill blast holes in rock at road or other construction sites
Operate tracked or truck-mounted drill equipped with auger or other attachment to drill holes for building foundations or pilings
May measure location and stake out pattern of holes to be drilled, load blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore or rock.

Blasters

Read instructions or diagrams, lay out drill pattern and determine depth and diameter of blast holes and conduct field tests to determine type and quantity of explosives required
Assemble or direct other workers to assemble primer charges using selected detonators, fuses, detonating cords and other materials
Load explosives in blast holes by hand or direct movement of bulk explosives trucks to load holes
Connect electrical wires, detonating cords or fuses into series and connect series to blasting machines; press handle or button to detonate charges
Handle, store and transport explosives and accessories in accordance with regulations and ensure that safety procedures are observed
May operate air-track, rotary, down-the-hole or other drilling machines to drill blast holes or may direct drilling of blast holes.

What this code means for Express Entry

FSWAccepted

TEER 0–3 work counts toward the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

CECAccepted

One year of this work in Canada can qualify for the Canadian Experience Class.

FSTAccepted

This code is in a trade group the Federal Skilled Trades Program accepts.

This code is not on any 2026 category list. Candidates compete in general rounds and in program rounds such as Canadian Experience Class rounds. See recent rounds →

CRS points from November 3, 2026

NOC 73402 is not on IRCC's high-wage occupations list. From November 3, 2026, Canadian work in it earns only the work-length points, and a job offer in it adds no CRS points (it can still count for program eligibility).

IRCC high-wage list (list from 2023 to 2025 wage data, read 2026-10-16) · CRS calculator with the new rules

Check your eligibility with this code → Find pathways for this occupation

The code is carried into every tool on this site, so you only enter it once.

Employment requirements

Completion of secondary school is usually required.
On-the-job training is provided.
Experience as a heavy equipment operator may be required for drillers.
Experience as a blaster helper in surface mining and quarrying or construction may be required for blasters.
Provincial blasting licence is usually required for blasters.
Trade certification for blasters is compulsory in Nova Scotia.

Good to know

Drillers and blasters often perform both drilling and blasting activities.
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Codes in the same group

NOC	Occupation	TEER
73400	Heavy equipment operators	3
73401	Printing press operators	3

Official sources

noc.esdc.gc.caNOC 2021 Version 1.0: 73402 Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction
statcan.gc.caStatistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
canada.caIRCC: Find your National Occupational Classification (NOC)
canada.caIRCC: Express Entry, who can apply