Will “Overburden Drill Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

85% Chance of Automation

“Overburden Drill Operator” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #488 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap sub-surface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. May use explosives. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-5021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 51,240.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 24.00
Currently, there are 18,500 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Overburden Drill Operator”

Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
Design well pumping systems.
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
Record drilling progress and geological data.
Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
Signal crane operators to move equipment.
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.
Document geological formations encountered during work.
Monitor drilling operations, checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.
Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
Fabricate well casings.
Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.

Related Technology & Tools

Precision levels
Water level meters
Water monitoring samplers
Mud guns
Portable air compressors
Mud rotary drills
Downhole well testing equipment
Air rotary drills
Mud pumping equipment
Downhole hammers
Digital video cameras
Marsh funnels
Field forklifts
Earth drilling machines
Personal computers
Work trucks
Water test kits
Mud mixers
Handheld remote thermometers
Chain slings
Power augers
Shale shakers
Adjustable combination wrenches
Trenchers
Water sampling bailers
Truck-mounted water pumps
Laptop computers
Alternating current AC generators
Core drill rigs
Cable tool drills
Drilling collars
Lube guns
Bobcats
Global positioning system GPS receivers
Water logging tools
Desanders
Drill pipe tongs
Tablet computers
Grout pumps
Truck mounted cranes
Mud balances
Submerged arc welding tools
Rotary drilling tools
Backhoe-equipped tractors
Pipe retrieval fishing tools

Global positioning system GPS software
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office
Data entry software