Will roof bolters be replaced by AI?
Updated
Roof bolters score 8 of 100 for AI exposure. All of their task time still needs a person.
- 100% Needs a person
Low exposure
Lower than 98% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 14 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can't do any of them end to end yet. It speeds up 0 and leaves 14 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Perform safety checks on equipment before operating. Physical inspection dominates, though checklists can be digitized. | 15% Needs a person |
| Drill bolt holes into roofs at specified distances from ribs or adjacent bolts. Machine drilling needs operator presence; AI adds little. | 12% Needs a person |
| Drill test holes and test bolts for specified tension, using torque wrenches. Torque testing is physical; only test records could be automated. | 12% Needs a person |
| Perform tests to determine if methane gas is present. Gas detection relies on instruments and physical sampling. | 8% Needs a person |
| Install various types of bolts, including truss, glue, and resin bolts, traversing entire ceiling spans. Physical bolt installation across the ceiling span. | 8% Needs a person |
| Position bolting machines, and insert drill bits into chucks. Physical positioning of machine and bits underground. | 6% Needs a person |
| Dust rocks after bolting. Rock dusting is physical spraying with machinery. | 6% Needs a person |
| Pull down loose rock that cannot be supported. Restructured the sentence and replaced 'manually' with 'with hands'. | 5% Needs a person |
| Force bolts into holes, using hydraulic mechanisms of self-propelled bolting machines. Hydraulic force bolting is physical machine operation. | 5% Needs a person |
| Perform ventilation tasks, such as hanging ventilation curtains and tubes. Physical hanging of curtains and tubing in tunnels. | 5% Needs a person |
Show the other 4 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Position safety jacks to support underground mine roofs until bolts can be installed. Physical placement of safety jacks under unstable roof. | 4% Needs a person |
| Remove drill bits from chucks after drilling holes, and insert bolts into chucks. Physical handling of drill bits and bolts at machine. | 4% Needs a person |
| Rotate chucks to turn bolts and open expansion heads against rock formations. Physical chuck rotation to expand bolt heads. | 3% Needs a person |
| Tighten ends of anchored truss bolts, using turnbuckles. Physical turnbuckle tightening on anchored truss bolts. | 3% Needs a person |
How roof bolters compare
All occupations (923)
Construction and extraction (61)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $78,540 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 2,160 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- -18.9% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Run pre-shift safety checks on bolting machines
- Log torque wrench tension tests for each roof bolt
- Operate Caterpillar Cat MineStar System machine data
- Follow the approved roof control plan during bolting
- Take methane readings with handheld gas detectors underground
- Position safety jacks under unstable mine roof
Safer roles nearby
A related occupation with a lower score.
Questions about roof bolters and AI
Will AI replace roof bolters?
Unlikely. About 1 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly pre-shift equipment safety checklists and torque test records. Drilling, bolt installation and roof scaling stay with people working under the roof.
Which roof bolter tasks is AI taking over?
Pre-shift safety checks and torque test records are the tasks AI reaches first. The equipment safety check scores 15 on the exposure scale because checklists can be digitized. Torque testing scores 12 because only the test records could be automated, while the wrench work stays physical.
Which roof bolter tasks stay human?
Drilling bolt holes at set spacing from ribs scores 12 on the exposure scale, because machine drilling needs an operator at the controls. Pulling down loose rock scores 5 and needs a person under an unstable roof with a bar. Forcing bolts with hydraulic mechanisms also stays with the operator.
How can roof bolters stay valuable?
Keep the physical core of the job and learn the data around it. Run safety checks on bolting machines and log each one in MineStar System. Keep torque test records accurate, and take methane readings with handheld detectors before each bolting shift.
Related jobs
Next steps for roof bolters
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