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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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