Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 5/19/2026
AI Resilience Score for Extraction Workers:
36.8%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Med
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Low
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Med
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
There are a reasonable number of sources for this result, but there is some disagreement between them.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forHelpers--Extraction Workers
$48,400 median salary•700 annual openings•SOC Code: 47-5081.00
Helpers--Extraction Workers are somewhat less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 6 sources.
Helpers in extraction work are labeled "Somewhat Resilient" because AI is genuinely changing some key parts of the job — autonomous haul trucks and AI-assisted drilling are already handling tasks that workers used to do directly, and that shift is only going to grow. That said, plenty of hands-on work like rigging, cleanup, and equipment dismantling still needs a real person on the ground, and mines are cautious about rushing into full automation because of safety concerns and high costs.
Learn more about how you can thrive in this position
View analysis
Chat with Coach
Latest news
More career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreLearn more about how you can thrive in this position
View analysisChat with CoachLatest newsMore career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreThis role is somewhat resilient
Helpers in extraction work are labeled "Somewhat Resilient" because AI is genuinely changing some key parts of the job — autonomous haul trucks and AI-assisted drilling are already handling tasks that workers used to do directly, and that shift is only going to grow. That said, plenty of hands-on work like rigging, cleanup, and equipment dismantling still needs a real person on the ground, and mines are cautious about rushing into full automation because of safety concerns and high costs.
Read full analysisAnalysis of Current AI Resilience
Extraction Workers
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Extraction Workers jobs?
If you've ever pictured mining as just pickaxes and hard hats, the reality in 2026 looks a lot more high-tech — but the good news is that AI is mostly helping extraction helpers rather than replacing them. The biggest change is on the haul road: autonomous trucks were first tested in remote iron ore mines in Western Australia in 2008, and now there are nearly 4,000 around the world, with more than half in use in mines in China. In Minnesota, Mesabi Metallics is deploying 400-ton driverless haul trucks as part of a $110 million equipment purchase, directly affecting the "drive moving equipment" task.
AI is also entering drilling — Hexagon's Drill Assist uses an AI engine that monitors machine feedback every 10 milliseconds [1] and has produced productivity gains of 20–30% over the best human operators, helping with the "observe and monitor equipment" task. Deloitte's 2026 Mining and Metals Industry Outlook [2] expects miners to scale autonomous hauling, drilling, AI-enabled process control, and predictive maintenance, while keeping humans in charge of safety-critical decisions. Importantly, a mining engineering professor told Marketplace [3] that the practice in the world shows that automation doesn't reduce jobs — it changes the nature of the job, shifting roles toward control room operators and data analysts.
Hands-on assistance with rigging, cleanup, and equipment dismantling still depends on humans, as a Permian Basin floorhand described in a recent BLS Career Outlook interview [4].
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Extraction Workers?
Adoption is moving quickly in some places and slowly in others. Pushing it forward: a severe skills crunch. The CIM article notes a severe labour shortage in which it can take about a decade to train a driller to expert level, making AI tools attractive.
Global Mining Review predicts smaller, agile miners will lead innovation [5] because they lack legacy systems. Slowing adoption: high equipment costs (those Komatsu trucks aren't cheap), underground navigation limits, union caution, and risk aversion — miners are really risk averse, and the last thing they want is plans designed automatically that aren't good. The encouraging takeaway: human judgment, teamwork, and adaptability still matter, and workers who build digital and safety skills will be well positioned for the future.
Sources
Will AI replace Extraction Workers?
Not entirely. We think AI will take over some tasks, but not the whole job.
Extraction helpers score a 36.8% AI Resilience Score, which means this role faces real pressure. Autonomous haul trucks are already a global reality, with nearly 4,000 in operation worldwide, and AI-assisted drilling tools have shown productivity gains of 20 to 30% over skilled human operators [1]. Deloitte expects mines to keep scaling autonomous hauling, drilling, and predictive maintenance through the coming years [2].
Still, the job does not disappear. Hands-on work like rigging, cleanup, and equipment dismantling still depends on human presence and judgment [4]. A mining engineering professor noted that in practice, automation tends to change the nature of jobs rather than eliminate them, shifting workers toward control room and data roles [3]. The catch is that long-term employer demand looks weak, so the overall number of openings may shrink even as individual roles evolve.
The honest picture: workers who build digital skills and stay adaptable have a real path forward. The physical, safety-critical, and problem-solving parts of this job still need a human on site. AI is reshaping the work, not erasing the worker.
Sources
Help us improve this report.
Tell us if this analysis feels accurate or we missed something.
Share your feedback
Latest AI news for Extraction Workers
These articles highlight how AI is reshaping careers for Helpers--Extraction Workers by enhancing safety and efficiency in mining. For instance, AI can optimize processes like crushing and grinding, leading to more effective operations. Additionally, understanding the human cost of AI moderation emphasizes the importance of mental well-being in tech-driven environments. As AI continues to evolve, workers can build resilience by adapting to new technologies and focusing on roles that require human oversight and creativity, ensuring their relevance in the industry.
How AI is transforming contract management
www.pandadoc.com • 10/3/2025
Cut down on admin tasks with the help of contract AI for generating and reading contracts.
Opinion | How AI is impacting 700 professions — and might impact yours
www.washingtonpost.com • 7/28/2025
Will AI help you work or replace you? Check yourself.
AI In Mining Industry: 7 Power Trends Shaping The Future
farmonaut.com • 7/18/2025
Discover how artificial intelligence in the mining industry boosts efficiency, safety, and sustainability—explore key AI trends reshaping operations.
The Hidden Human Cost of AI Moderation
jacobin.com • 6/28/2025
Training AI often means staring at humanity's worst atrocities for hours at a time. Workers tasked with this labor endure psychological...
AI Unearths New Potential In The Mining Industry
www.forbes.com • 5/9/2025
AI is used to optimize various mining processes, such as crushing, grinding, and flotation, by analyzing real-time data and adjusting parameters to maximize...
More Career Info
Career: Helpers--Extraction Workers
They assist miners by carrying tools and equipment, clearing debris, and ensuring safety to help extract minerals and resources from the ground.
Parent Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$48,400
Jobs (2024)
7,000
Growth (2024-34)
-1.7%
Annual Openings
700
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
None
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
Repair and maintain automotive and drilling equipment, using hand tools.
2
Provide assistance to extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers and derrick operators.
3
Unload materials, devices and machine parts, using hand tools.
4
Dismantle extracting and boring equipment used for excavation, using hand tools.
5
Signal workers to start geological material extraction or boring.
6
Load materials into well holes or into equipment, using hand tools.
7
Clean up work areas and remove debris after extraction activities are complete.
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.
