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AI exposure Construction and extraction

Will AI replace continuous mining machine operators?

Continuous Mining Machine Operators. US occupation 47-5041.

0.0%

of the time continuous mining machine operators spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of continuous mining machine operators' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.

Ranked 346 of 756 US occupations. No AI use seen in the work yet, along with 410 other occupations.No handover started yet, along with 410 other occupations.

Average US job 7.7%

Among the least exposed jobs there are.Still waiting for liberation.

What AI already does for continuous mining machine operatorsWhat continuous mining machine operators no longer do alone

O*NET lists 15 tasks for continuous mining machine operators. None of them shows meaningful AI use at work yet.

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

15 of the 15 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Check the stability of roof and rib support systems before mining face areas.Core task
  • Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air.Core task
  • Determine locations, boundaries, and depths of holes or channels to be cut.Core task
  • Drive machines into position at working faces.Core task
  • Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated.Core task
  • Move controls to start and regulate movement of conveyors and to start and position drill cutters or torches.Core task
Show the other 9
  • Observe and listen to equipment operation to detect binding or stoppage of tools or other equipment malfunctions.Core task
  • Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars.Core task
  • Repair, oil, and adjust machines, and change cutting teeth, using wrenches.Core task
  • Reposition machines to make additional holes or cuts.Core task
  • Apply new technologies developed to minimize the environmental impact of coal mining.
  • Guide and assist crews laying track and resetting supports and blocking.
  • Install casings to prevent cave-ins.
  • Move levers to raise and lower hydraulic safety bars supporting roofs above machines until other workers complete framing.
  • Scrape or wash conveyors, using belt scrapers or belt washers, to minimize dust production.

How that compares

Among the 56 construction and extraction occupations, continuous mining machine operators rank 13. The group averages 0.4%, and its most exposed job is Structural Iron and Steel Workers at 4.9%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Level with 0.0%

  1. 346Community Health Workers 0.0%
  2. 346Compensation and Benefits Managers 0.0%
  3. 346Conservation Scientists 0.0%

What this does and does not mean

Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.

A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.

Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.