Sudbury mining expansion signals sustained demand for skilled trades

Glencore’s Onaping Depth Project at Craig Mine has reached a major development milestone after nearly $2 billion in investment, with substantial skilled-trades and contractor activity tied to the project.

Natural Resources Canada announced on August 27, 2026 that shaft work for the Onaping Depth Project at Craig Mine in the Sudbury Basin has reached the ore body, moving the project closer to first production. The federal release says the project represents nearly $2 billion in private investment since construction began in 2019 and has generated roughly 7,000 jobs.

For skilled-trades workers, the relevant signal is broader than one mine opening. Large underground mining projects require construction, maintenance, electrical, mechanical, mobile-equipment, inspection and contractor capacity over multiple phases. Sudbury remains one of Canada’s most important mining labour markets, while northern and remote projects continue to compete for qualified workers.

Workers should keep trade credentials, safety tickets, availability and remote-work preferences current. Employers planning mining mobilizations should treat verified readiness and expiry tracking as part of workforce planning rather than a last-minute screening step.