Will “Hard Rock Drill Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

85% Chance of Automation

“Hard Rock 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 “Hard Rock Drill Operator”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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