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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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