Get started

Support Activities for Metal Mining

NAICS 213114 · Support Activities for Mining · SBA size standard: $41 million average annual receipts

Support contractors for metal mining provide drilling, blasting, sampling, core handling, equipment mobilization, site preparation and reclamation services under contract to operating mines. For a crew that drills blast holes, collects geological samples and moves heavy equipment between remote sites on weekly or weather-driven schedules, the specialists turn client work orders into permitted daily task lists, convert drill plans into blast-hole patterns and sample schedules, track bit inventory and explosive manifests, schedule equipment transport with road permits, and maintain reclamation logs. Safety, environmental and blasting certifications stay with the licensed blaster and site supervisor.

Start with these bots

What makes this business different

  • Client work orders that specify exact collar locations, depths, angles and sample intervals for each drill hole
  • Daily and weekly mobilization between remote mine sites with changing weather and road conditions
  • Explosive and detonator inventories that require secure storage, manifests and chain-of-custody logs
  • Drill-bit, rod and hammer tracking with wear limits and reconditioning cycles
  • Environmental permits, water-use approvals, reclamation bonds and daily dust and noise monitoring
  • Core and chip sample labeling, chain-of-custody and delivery to assay labs on tight schedules
  • Equipment transport permits, oversize load escorts and site-specific safety plans
  • Blasting permits, pre-blast notifications and post-blast inspection reports filed with regulators

Specialist bots

  • a worker in hard hat and high-visibility vest reviewing drill coordinates on a tablet while standing beside a pickup truck at a remote mine site with drill rig visible in the background

    Work Order Coordinator

    Convert client drill and blast orders into validated, crew-ready task lists with all geospatial and permit data attached.

    Works in: Ambitious Tasks, Ambitious Docs, Contract Analyzer · Workflows: Client work order intake and validation

    Automates

    • Reads incoming work orders and extracts collar coordinates, depths and sample intervals
    • Checks permit status against order dates
    • Drafts confirmation and creates master task list
    • Attaches required safety and access documents

    Stops for a person

    • The site supervisor approves any deviation from permitted parameters
    • A licensed person reviews and sends all client confirmations
  • a worker wearing a hard hat marking precise collar locations with paint on a leveled drill pad surrounded by rocky outcrops and survey stakes

    Drill and Blast Pattern Planner

    Turn approved work orders into sequenced drill patterns, sample schedules and daily consumable requirements.

    Works in: Ambitious Tasks, Process Optimizer, Ambitious Sheets · Workflows: Daily drill and blast pattern scheduling

    Automates

    • Sequences holes to minimize rig moves
    • Calculates powder factors and sample bag requirements
    • Flags low consumable stock
    • Generates pre-shift safety and blast notification lists

    Stops for a person

    • The licensed blaster approves final shot patterns and powder loads
    • Crew lead confirms sequence on site before drilling begins
  • a worker in safety vest inventorying red explosive boxes inside a locked steel magazine container on a gravel pad at a mine site

    Consumables and Sample Inventory Tracker

    Maintain real-time logs of explosives, drill bits, rods and geological samples with chain-of-custody records.

    Works in: Ambitious Sheets, Ambitious Tasks, Ambitious Docs · Workflows: Explosive, bit and sample supply inventory

    Automates

    • Logs usage against manifests
    • Calculates reorder quantities
    • Creates sample ID tags and custody forms
    • Alerts when magazines near minimum stock levels

    Stops for a person

    • A licensed magazine keeper physically verifies explosive counts
    • The supervisor signs every chain-of-custody transfer
  • a worker guiding a lowboy trailer carrying a large drill rig down a dusty mine access road with rocky hills in the distance

    Equipment Mobilization Coordinator

    Schedule heavy equipment moves between sites, secure transport permits and generate site setup checklists.

    Works in: Ambitious Tasks, Ambitious Docs · Workflows: Heavy equipment transport and site setup

    Automates

    • Checks road permits for oversized loads
    • Builds transport and pilot vehicle schedule
    • Creates site preparation and inspection checklists
    • Records arrival and setup times

    Stops for a person

    • The equipment operator performs and signs off on all pre-move inspections
    • A person obtains and files all oversize load permits
  • a worker labeling heavy canvas sample bags with permanent markers next to a drill rig and core barrels on a leveled pad

    Sampling and Assay Logistician

    Assign sample IDs, prepare chain-of-custody documents and schedule secure delivery of core and chip samples to laboratories.

    Works in: Ambitious Tasks, Ambitious Docs, Ambitious Sheets · Workflows: Core and chip sampling logistics

    Automates

    • Generates unique sample tags and custody forms
    • Schedules lab pickup from remote sites
    • Tracks status until lab confirmation
    • Flags lost or contaminated intervals

    Stops for a person

    • The geologist verifies sample intervals and quality before sealing
    • A person physically hands off samples to the courier
  • a worker in a hard hat measuring water level in a small sediment pond at the edge of a reclaimed drill pad with erosion control fabric visible

    Reclamation and Environmental Clerk

    Track daily environmental monitoring data, reclamation progress and prepare reports for bond release and regulatory review.

    Works in: Ambitious Docs, Ambitious Sheets, Ambitious Tasks · Workflows: Site reclamation and environmental monitoring

    Automates

    • Generates daily dust, noise and runoff logs
    • Compares reclamation status against bond schedule
    • Prepares weekly cuttings and stabilization reports
    • Maintains photo documentation log

    Stops for a person

    • The environmental manager reviews and signs all submitted reports
    • People perform actual field measurements and take photographs
  • a worker reviewing a clipboard of permit documents while standing beside a locked explosive magazine and survey equipment at a remote mining claim

    Permit and Blasting Compliance Officer

    Monitor blasting and environmental permit status, prepare notifications and compile all required regulatory filings and logs.

    Works in: Ambitious Tasks, Ambitious Docs, Ambitious Sheets · Workflows: Blasting and environmental permit compliance

    Automates

    • Checks permit and license expiration dates
    • Drafts pre-blast notifications
    • Compiles post-blast reports and vibration data
    • Organizes manifests and safety logs

    Stops for a person

    • The licensed blaster approves every blast plan and report
    • A person confirms which local, state or federal requirements apply and signs all filings

Workflows

Client work order intake and validation

Starts when: A mining client sends a new drill, blast or sampling order by email or portal

  1. Parse collar coordinates, hole depths, angles, sample intervals and any special instructions
  2. Cross-check order against current site permit status and equipment availability
  3. Confirm required blasting or environmental permits are active for the date range
  4. Draft a confirmation with scheduled start date and required PPE or site access details
  5. Create a master task list for the crew with all hole specifications attached

Watch for: Exact geospatial data must be captured without transcription error; Any deviation from permitted depths or locations requires client and regulator sign-off

Daily drill and blast pattern scheduling

Starts when: Approved work order and crew availability for the shift

  1. Load collar locations into a drill pattern map
  2. Sequence holes to minimize equipment moves and optimize powder factors
  3. Assign sample collection intervals and bag numbers per hole
  4. Calculate daily consumables (bits, rods, explosives) and flag low stock
  5. Generate pre-shift safety checklist and blast notification list

Watch for: Drill patterns must respect minimum separation from underground workings; Weather or wind conditions can halt blasting on short notice

Explosive, bit and sample supply inventory

Starts when: End of each shift and weekly stock check

  1. Log explosives and detonators used against the blast manifest
  2. Record drill bit wear, rod hours and regrind needs
  3. Draft reorder quantities for bulk explosives, bits and sample bags
  4. Maintain chain-of-custody log for all geological samples leaving site
  5. Alert when secure magazines approach regulatory minimums

Watch for: Explosives must be tracked by serial number and lot; Sample bags require tamper-evident seals and unique IDs

Heavy equipment transport and site setup

Starts when: Client requests move to new drill site or weekly rotation

  1. Check road and bridge permits for oversized loads
  2. Schedule lowboy transport and pilot vehicles for drill rig and compressor
  3. Generate site preparation checklist (leveling pads, sumps, berms)
  4. Draft daily equipment inspection reports and maintenance schedule
  5. Record arrival time and set-up completion for client billing

Watch for: Remote sites often have single-lane access limited by weather; All transport requires current oversize permits and escorts

Core and chip sampling logistics

Starts when: Completion of each drill hole or shift

  1. Assign unique sample IDs and print tamper-evident tags
  2. Create chain-of-custody forms with hole depth and interval data
  3. Schedule pickup or delivery to the assay laboratory
  4. Track sample status until lab receipt confirmation
  5. Flag any lost or contaminated intervals for client notification

Watch for: Samples must stay dry and secure during transport from remote sites; Certain metals require expedited delivery to prevent oxidation

Site reclamation and environmental monitoring

Starts when: End of each drill pad use and on regulatory deadlines

  1. Generate daily dust, noise and water-runoff monitoring logs
  2. Track reclamation progress against the approved bond release schedule
  3. Draft weekly reports on drill cuttings containment and site stabilization
  4. Alert on upcoming permit renewal or inspection dates
  5. Maintain photo log of before-and-after conditions

Watch for: Reclamation standards differ by federal, state and tribal land status; All monitoring data must be available for unannounced regulator audits

Blasting and environmental permit compliance

Starts when: Before every blast and on recurring permit cycles

  1. Check current blasting permit, magazine license and shot reports
  2. Draft pre-blast notifications to nearby operations and residents
  3. Compile post-blast inspection results and vibration data
  4. Track renewal dates for water, air and reclamation permits
  5. Organize all signed manifests and daily safety logs for filing

Watch for: Only licensed blasters can approve final shot plans; Regulators require specific formats and retention periods for all records

Bot templates for this industry

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Size Standards, Table of Small Business Size Standards Matched to North American Industry Classification System Codes, version March 2023 (effective 2023-03-17, NAICS 2022). Size standards are shown for reference only.