93100 – Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing

Lead statement

Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing, operate and monitor multi-function process control machinery and equipment to control the processing of mineral ores, metals or cement.

Main duties

• Coordinate and monitor the operation of a particular aspect of mineral ore, metal and cement processing production through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems, usually from a central control room
• Operate multi-function central process control machinery to grind, separate, filter, melt, roast, treat, refine or otherwise process mineral ores
• Observe computer printouts, video monitors and gauges to verify specified processing conditions and to make necessary adjustments
• Coordinate and supervise production crew such as machine and process operators, tenders, assistants and helpers
• Start up and shut down the production system in cases of emergency or as required by schedule
• Provide or organize training for members of production crew
• Maintain shift log of production and other data and prepare production and other reports.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• A college diploma may be required for some positions in this group.
• On-the-job training is provided.
• Several years of experience as a machine or process operator, usually in the same company or production department, are required.

Example job titles

bar mill finisher - primary metal processing · billet mill roller - primary metal processing · blast furnace operator · blooming mill roller · central control caster · central control caster - primary metal processing · central control operator - cement manufacturing · central control room operator - primary metal and mineral products processing · central control room operator - primary metal processing · coke plant by-products operator · cold mill operator - primary metal processing · console operator - cement manufacturing · continuous casting operator - primary metal processing · copper refinery operator · crusher control room operator · dross furnace operator · electrolytic refinery process operator · head charger · hot mill roller - primary metal processing · ion exchange operator · molybdenum roaster operator · nuclear fuel processor · oxygen furnace operator - primary metal processing · panel board operator - primary metal and mineral products processing · perlite expander control panel operator - mineral products processing · process operator - primary metal and mineral products processing · refinery process operator - primary metal processing · roaster operator · roaster operator - primary metal processing · rolling mill control operator · rolling mill control operator - primary metal processing · blast furnaceman/woman · slabbing mill roller - primary metal processing · slurry controller - primary metal processing · steel-degasser process operator · vacuum-degasser process operator - primary metal processing · alloy control operator - zinc casting · lead-refining furnace operator · breakdown mill operator · chief flotation operator

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.