Hey guys, I was wondering where a lot of the major excavation and mining is taking place in North America. I'm looking into becoming a heavy equipment technician, so I was wondering in what parts of the continent is this industry really taking off. Big industry means major equipment use which means major wear and tear and that where someone like me would come in. I could find a job for a local equipment company, working on tractors and medium/heavy trucks, which I might do in the beginning. But I'd ultimately like to work on the huge earthmovers and have highly needed services. Thanks for the help.

 

Between me and a couple other family members, we own 160 acres about 20 minutes north of Sault Ste Marie in Canada. The city itself is in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan also.

Anyway, they use to mine coal and diamonds way back in the day. They may still but I doubt it. Right now that area is primarily used for logging. There is endless woods out that way. And the few times I've been out on our property (because it's landlocked) I've seen huge excavating equipment.

Just an idea for you to look into. With the Canadian dollar being equal to the U.S. dollar now, it might not be that bad of a gig. If you don't mind moving out of the U.S.

 

right next door dude, major excavation and mining take place here day in day out. in fact i work for a heavy equipment dealership here. we sale and service driltech drills all makes of volvo, hitachi, euclid, tamrock, linkbelt cranes, and a couple more. everything from mini excavators to 100 ton rock trucks, we have it all. we have 10 branches in 7 states. techs are ALWAYS needed.

 

Taconite mines in northern MN are starting up again. I know they use some pretty big stuff to mine them.

 

Thanks guys, I'm still in high school but slowly aligning my post high school path. Definetly going to college for diesel and ag technology, the college I want to go to is in Ohio so I'll be able to check out pretty much all those places. Too bad the biggest hill over here is like 15ft, b/c I'd really love to stay here. 100 years of heritage in one family is a hard thing to leave behind. How good is the pay if I were to work for a dealership as a tech? I'm pretty sure it's a healthy salary, but I'd like to know about how much on average.

 

If you want big check out the tar sands in northern Alberta. Google it.

 

The oils sands in Ft. McMurry Alberta, lots of big equipment up there. . .

 

I.U.O.E. Local 150 out here in Chicago.Our local is always looking for apprentice and experienced Mechanics.$40someodd an hour aint too shaby for a mech.

 

Another item to tack on to the heavy duty mechanic is mobile air conditioning. There will always be a need for good a/c technicians and it's usually a lot cleaner work. It can go hand in hand with mechanic work (lots of heavy equipment has a/c plus the trucks if you get into heavy duty transport) and make you a greater asset to your employer (ie; more money). It can also be a career in itself and/or make for easy money on side work.

 

I think its phelps, or someone who has a huge copper mine here in Az. Been diggin for ages in it.

 

Looks like I'll be up north for a lil while . I was looking at heavy duty transport, I have to learn A/C in college also. Thanks for the info

 

Sudbury, Ontario

 

I am a tech at a Caterpillar dealer in PA. You will work on all kinds of cat equipment at the dealers all over the states but it depends on the area for the different kinds. In this area we have coal mines and work on some of the biggest equipment out there.

I know my company sponsor collage kids and pays some of their tuition if they come to work for us.

You'd be amazed how technical equipment is, electronics and computers play a huge roll.

BTW, AC isn't a good thing to be specialized in, all the techs fix AC problems. The hot job is gen sets. All companies are getting backup generators for when the power goes off and we have alot in our area that need serviced and repaired.

 

Sudbury is okay, but with gold going up, up, up, look further north to Timmins/Kirkland Lake in Northern Ontario. All the gold mines are re-opening and going crazy. They have a shortage of equipment operators as all the ones with experience have moved west to Alberta.

 

Timmins has some good opportunities - but Sudbury in the hub of mining in Canada. With Totten and Nickel Rim openning soon and new construction at existing mines it will be booming for a while - especially with metals prices where they are.