Helpers--Extraction Workers

Help extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers, blasters and explosives workers, derrick operators, and mining machine operators, by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying equipment or cleaning work area.

The automation risk for the occupation "Helpers--Extraction Workers" is assessed at 24.7%, which is only slightly below its base risk of 25.0%. This suggests that, while there is potential for automation, a significant portion of the role still depends on human involvement. The relatively modest risk level stems from the physical, variable, and sometimes unpredictable nature of extraction sites, where workers assist with a variety of support tasks. Technologies such as robotics and autonomous vehicles are increasingly present in extraction industries, but full automation is hindered by the diversity and complexity of on-site activities. Among the most automatable tasks for Helpers--Extraction Workers are those involving monitoring, transporting, and unloading. For example, “Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems” can often be handled by sensors and automated diagnostics. Similarly, “Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites” is susceptible to automation as self-driving vehicles become more commonplace in controlled environments. The task of “Unload materials, devices, and machine parts, using hand tools” could also be replaced in part by robotic systems designed for repetitive manual operations, particularly for moving and manipulating standard loads. Conversely, the most automation-resistant tasks are those that require human judgment, adaptability, or nuanced physical effort. Activities such as “Dig trenches” and “Dismantle extracting and boring equipment used for excavation, using hand tools” involve complex movements and spatial awareness that are presently difficult to replicate with machines, especially in rough or changing conditions. Additionally, “Signal workers to start geological material extraction or boring” relies on human communication and real-time decision-making, acting as a bottleneck against full automation. The occupation also requires a degree of originality, as reflected in the bottleneck skills—Originality (2.4%) and Originality (2.3%)—indicating that creative problem-solving, albeit a small portion of the job, further reduces the feasible scope for automation at present.