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

85% Chance of Automation

“Highwall 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 “Highwall Drill Operator”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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