Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

• AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (4%)
• AI can speed this up with extra software: 0 (0%)
• Little or no AI speed-up: 27 (96%)

• Maintain records of materials moved.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
• Handle high voltage sources and hang electrical cables.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Drive loaded shuttle cars to ramps and move controls to discharge loads into mine cars or onto conveyors.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Control conveyors that run the entire length of shuttle cars to distribute loads as loading progresses.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Examine roadway and clear obstructions from the path of travel.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Operate levers to move conveyor booms or shovels so that mine contents such as coal, rock, and ore can be placed into cars or onto conveyors.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Clean, fuel, service, and perform safety checks on all equipment, and repair and replace parts as necessary.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Clean hoppers, and clean spillage from tracks, walks, driveways, and conveyor decking.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Oil, lubricate, and adjust conveyors, crushers, and other equipment, using hand tools and lubricating equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Monitor loading processes to ensure that materials are loaded according to specifications.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Measure, weigh, or verify levels of rock, gravel, or other excavated material to prevent equipment overloads.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Replace hydraulic hoses, headlight bulbs, and gathering-arm teeth.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Stop gathering arms when cars are full.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Move mine cars into position for loading and unloading, using pinchbars inserted under car wheels to position cars under loading spouts.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Advance machines to gather material and convey it into cars.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Signal workers to move loaded cars.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Guide and stop cars by switching, applying brakes, or placing scotches, or wooden wedges, between wheels and rails.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Observe and record car numbers, carriers, customers, tonnages, and grades and conditions of material.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Read written instructions or confer with supervisors about schedules and materials to be moved.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Notify switching departments to deliver specific types of cars.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Inspect boarding and locking of open-top box cars and wedging of side-drop and hopper cars to prevent loss of material in transit.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Direct other workers to move stakes, place blocks, position anchors or cables, or move materials.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Push or ride cars down slopes, or hook cars to cables and control cable drum brakes, to ease cars down inclines.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Open and close bottom doors of cars to dump contents.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

Questions about loading and moving machine operators, underground mining and AI