BETA
Updated: Feb 6
BETA
Updated: Feb 6
Evolving
Last Update: 11/21/2025
Your role’s AI Resilience Score is
31.8%
Median Score
Changing Fast
Evolving
Stable
What does this resilience result mean?
These roles are shifting as AI becomes part of everyday workflows. Expect new responsibilities and new opportunities.
AI Resilience Report for
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
They operate heavy machines to dig up and move earth or materials, making it easier to access valuable minerals or resources from the ground.
Summary
This career is labeled as "Evolving" because AI is changing how some tasks in surface mining are done, like using machines that can operate without drivers. While these technologies can make the work faster and safer, there are still important tasks like maintenance that need human skills.
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View analysisChat with CoachLatest newsMore career infoSummary
This career is labeled as "Evolving" because AI is changing how some tasks in surface mining are done, like using machines that can operate without drivers. While these technologies can make the work faster and safer, there are still important tasks like maintenance that need human skills.
Read full analysisContributing Sources
AI Resilience
All scores are converted into percentiles showing where this career ranks among U.S. careers. For models that measure impact or risk, we flip the percentile (subtract it from 100) to derive resilience.
CareerVillage.org's AI Resilience Analysis
AI Task Resilience
Changing fast1.7%
1.7%
Microsoft's Working with AI
AI Applicability
Evolving69.3%
69.3%
Will Robots Take My Job
Automation Resilience
Evolving33.5%
33.5%
Low Demand
Labor Market Outlook
We use BLS employment projections to complement the AI-focused assessments from other sources.
Learn about this scoreGrowth Rate (2024-34):
-0.4%
Growth Percentile:
24.3%
Annual Openings:
3.1
Annual Openings Pct:
29.9%
Analysis of Current AI Resilience
Excavation/Dragline Oper.
Updated Quarterly • Last Update: 11/11/2025
State of Automation & Augmentation
In surface mining today, some tasks are already done by machines or helped by AI. For example, moving materials is often done with guided vehicles. Big companies like Walmart invest in autonomous forklifts to carry loads without drivers [1].
Logistics firms have tested AI-powered forklifts that work under remote operator supervision [2]. In mines, heavy haul trucks and drills can run without drivers. Caterpillar has over 600 driverless mining trucks in use worldwide [2], and BHP’s Escondida mine uses 33 autonomous trucks and 8 robotic drills to dig and haul ore [1].
These machines follow computer plans and need only a few people watching them (augmented operation). However, hands-on tasks like cleaning mud or greasing parts are still done by people. In those cases, AI usually helps with predictive maintenance: software watches the equipment and warns workers when a repair is needed [1], instead of replacing the worker entirely.
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More Career Info
Career: Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
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Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$52,550
Jobs (2024)
35,800
Growth (2024-34)
-0.4%
Annual Openings
3,100
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
Less than 5 years
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Handle slides, mud, or pit cleanings or maintenance.
2
Perform manual labor to prepare or finish sites, such as shoveling materials by hand.
3
Direct workers engaged in placing blocks or outriggers to prevent capsizing of machines when lifting heavy loads.
4
Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
5
Lubricate, adjust, or repair machinery and replace parts, such as gears, bearings, or bucket teeth.
6
Adjust dig face angles for varying overburden depths and set lengths.
7
Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
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