Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 8/30/2026
AI Resilience Score for Underground Mining Ops:
47.5%
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.
High
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.
Very few data sources cover this career, or the available sources disagree significantly. Treat this score as a rough estimate.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forUnderground Mining Machine Operators, All Other
$70,130 median salary•300 annual openings•SOC Code: 47-5049.00
Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other are somewhat less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 3 sources.
This career sits in the "Somewhat Resilient" category because AI is genuinely changing how underground mining machine operators work, even if it is not replacing them outright. Tools like tele-remote controls and AI vision systems are taking over some of the routine monitoring and hazard detection tasks that operators used to handle entirely on their own, which means the job is shifting rather than disappearing.
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More career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreThis role is somewhat resilient
This career sits in the "Somewhat Resilient" category because AI is genuinely changing how underground mining machine operators work, even if it is not replacing them outright. Tools like tele-remote controls and AI vision systems are taking over some of the routine monitoring and hazard detection tasks that operators used to handle entirely on their own, which means the job is shifting rather than disappearing.
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View analysisChat with CoachLatest newsMore career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreAnalysis of Current AI Resilience
Underground Mining Ops
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Underground Mining Ops jobs?
If you're thinking about a career underground, here's the honest picture: AI is showing up in mines, but mostly as a helper — not a replacement. The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration [1] reports that the development and integration of automation, robotic systems, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), internet of things (IoT), digital twins, drones, remote monitoring and other intelligent systems are now a regular part of industry conversations. In practice, that looks like tele-remote and AI-assisted controls: Coal Age describes Liebherr's LiReCon teleoperations system [2], a dedicated operator workspace with all necessary controls, and onboard installations including cameras providing multiple angles and views, microphones for recording machine sounds and a radio link receiver and transmitter, which frees the operator from the machine and enables access to extraction areas in hazardous zones.
AI vision systems are also being layered on for collision avoidance and operational readiness in demanding underground mining environments [3]. Your "listening for problems" and "watching gauges" tasks are exactly what AI is now augmenting.
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Underground Mining Ops?
Adoption is real but slower than in other industries. PwC's Mine 2026 report [4] found that mining had the lowest score of any sector on our AI fitness index, held back by weak data foundations. Still, a McKinsey partner cited at a 2026 mining symposium [5] noted that 59% of the hours currently worked in mining could be automated [6], using already available technologies, and that several mining companies are investing in automation and AI, not necessarily to reduce staff, but to grow and reallocate time towards higher-value tasks.
Global Mining Review echoes this [7], noting automation is transforming the nature of work, but people remain at the core of mining's digital evolution, and forward-thinking firms are investing in workforce development by teaching digital literacy, automation skills, and adaptable problem-solving. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [8] projects about 83,200 openings for material moving machine operators each year, on average, over the decade — so hands-on skills like installing roof supports and repairing equipment stay in demand, especially as operators upskill into remote-control and diagnostic roles.
Sources
Will AI replace Underground Mining Ops?
Not entirely. We think AI will take over some tasks, but not the whole job.
Underground mining is genuinely changing. Teleoperations systems now let operators run machines from dedicated control rooms rather than sitting inside the equipment itself [2], and AI vision tools are being added for collision avoidance in demanding underground environments [3]. A McKinsey analysis cited at a 2026 mining symposium estimated that 59% of hours worked in mining could be automated using already available technologies [6]. That is a real number worth taking seriously.
But "could be automated" is not the same as "will be replaced." Mining had the lowest AI fitness score of any sector in PwC's Mine 2026 report, held back by weak data foundations [4]. Adoption is slower here than almost anywhere else. And the tasks that stay hardest to automate, reading a machine's sounds, responding to unexpected underground conditions, making judgment calls in hazardous spaces, are exactly where human operators still matter most.
Our 47.5% AI Resilience Score reflects that tension honestly. The job market outlook through 2034 is soft, so we would not call this a career with easy long-term security. But operators who build skills in remote control systems and digital diagnostics are positioning themselves for the version of this work that actually survives, and that path is real.
Sources
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Latest AI news for Underground Mining Ops
These articles highlight how AI and automation are reshaping careers for underground mining machine operators. For instance, the piece on predictive maintenance shows how AI can anticipate equipment issues, enhancing safety and efficiency. Meanwhile, the discussion on automation emphasizes that while some tasks may evolve, the human touch remains essential in operating complex machinery. Embracing these changes can lead to a resilient career path, where operators adapt and thrive amidst technological advancements in the mining industry.
Predictive Maintenance in Underground Mining Equipment ...
www.mdpi.com • 9/20/2026
by N Chambi · 2025 · Cited by 9 — AI enables the prediction of critical moments in underground mining machinery operation, such as sudden turns and dynamic overload analysis
How Automation Is Changing Mining Careers
www.linkedin.com • 9/20/2026
Automation is transforming mining careers by introducing robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced machinery to handle dangerous tasks, ... Read more
Will AI Replace Mining Operations Jobs?
jobzonerisk.com • 9/20/2026
See which mining operations roles are most at risk from AI. Evidence-based scores and practical recommendations for every assessed role.
Will AI Replace Loading and Moving Machine Operators ...
www.tagieff.ca • 9/20/2026
AI and automation are unlikely to fully replace underground mining machine operators, though the role is evolving significantly. Read more
The Future of Mining Jobs: Automation and Remote ...
www.sdsmt.edu • 9/20/2026
Discover how automation, AI, and sustainability are transforming mining jobs. Learn the skills, tech, and strategies to thrive in the future of mining.
More Career Info
Career: Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other
They operate machines underground to safely extract minerals and resources from the earth, ensuring efficient and smooth mining operations.
Parent Careers
Similar Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$70,130
Jobs (2025)
3,200
Growth (2025-35)
-1.0%
Annual Openings
300
Education
No formal educational credential
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-2035
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Guide and assist crews in laying track for machines and resetting planer rails, supports, and blocking, using jacks, shovels, sledges, picks, and pinch bars.
2
Position jacks, timbers, or roof supports, and install casings, to prevent cave-ins.
3
Free jams in planer hoppers, using metal pinch bars.
4
Remove debris such as loose shale from channels and planer travel areas.
5
Replace worn or broken tools and machine bits and parts, using wrenches, pry bars, and other hand tools, and lubricate machines, using grease guns.
6
Drive mobile, truck-mounted, or track-mounted drilling or cutting machine in mines and quarries or on construction sites.
7
Reposition machines and move controls to make additional holes or cuts.
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.
