July 18, 2025

Workplaces and Substance Use: Mining Industry

  • Workplace

Read this research brief

About this research brief

Provides key context, data, and recommendations on improving the substance use health of employees for employers and other partners (e.g., unions, associations, health professionals) in the mining industry, based on input from the focus group study with workers from the mining industry. This brief is part of the Workplaces and Substance Use series.

Three key points of interest you will find in the document:

  • At least 3 in 10 (30%) mining workers and managers thought that it was generally acceptable by their workplace culture to consume alcohol before or during work and about 2 in 10 (20%) thought it was acceptable to use cannabis.
  • About 5 in 10 (46%) mining workers and managers in safety-sensitive positions and about 2 in 10 (17%) workers and managers in non-safety-sensitive positions reported consuming alcohol or other drugs within two hours before or during work, or being hungover, intoxicated or feeling high while at work.
  • About 7 in 10 (66%) mining participants in the study felt that they could safely and confidentially tell their managers if they were experiencing alcohol or drug use issues without fear of discrimination, stigmatization or discipline.