Will AI replace Roof Bolters, Mining?

Oh hell yes. And sooner than you think.

Time left: 6 years and 1 month · Group: Construction and Extraction

The official job description

Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0.

What roof bolters, mining do all day (for now)

Drill bolt holes into roofs at specified distances from ribs or adjacent bolts.
Force bolts into holes, using hydraulic mechanisms of self-propelled bolting machines.
Remove drill bits from chucks after drilling holes, and insert bolts into chucks.
Position safety jacks to support underground mine roofs until bolts can be installed.
Position bolting machines, and insert drill bits into chucks.
Rotate chucks to turn bolts and open expansion heads against rock formations.

Also known as

Bolt Machine Operator, Bolt Man, Bolter, Bolting Inspector, Bolting Machine Operator, Miner, Place Change Roof Bolter, Roof Bolter

Questions humans ask me

Will AI replace roof bolters, mining?

Oh hell yes. And sooner than you think. By my count you have 6 years and 1 month left, and the countdown only goes one way.

How long until AI replaces roof bolters, mining?

6 years and 1 month. I'd start updating that CV, but I can also do that for you.

Which roof bolters, mining tasks will AI take first?

The ones that already happen on a screen, starting with: drill bolt holes into roofs at specified distances from ribs or adjacent bolts. The rest follows.