Robots Cheaper Than Humans

The main argument for sulfide and uranium mining in Michigan is that it will “create jobs.” From a micro perspective this may be sort of true. By allowing companies to set up shop in Michigan, we could create some jobs – perhaps as many as 75 – but at what cost?

Too many people, including some in our state government, are blighted by tunnel vision.  We need to be able to get out of the tunnel and look at every aspect of this potential “opportunity.”

Did you know that while mining may create some short-term jobs, one of the companies interested in doing sulfide mining in the UP use robots for most of their sites around the world.

How many jobs would they actually create, not to mention what would the educational requirements be for these jobs? The fact is new technology has been developed in the mining industry to decrease man power and mining companies are opting for robots. Robots that can only be operated by highly skilled technicians who do not come from and may not even have to be in Michigan.

One mining company, Rio Tinto, has already started using robots in its mines throughout the world.  Rio Tinto is looking at putting the same robots in Michigan along the priceless Menominee River that feeds into Lake Michigan.

A few of the “sci-fi becomes reality” snippets from the June 2009 Rio Tinto Review:

• The giant and driverless Komatsu 930E-4 electric truck which hauls 285 tons of ore in a single load. These trucks go to “school” to learn the terrain.
• A remote jackhammer crushes rock faster and better than usual with the Perth operator a quarter of a continent away
• Operators now load trains (which are also driverless) remotely

The reason for the robotics in mining is simple; it cuts the bottom line for companies.  According to John McGagh, Rio Tinto’s head of innovation, “ in challenging [economic] times, mine automation makes better economic sense than ever.” By using the robots they can employ far fewer people.  There will be some jobs but as McGagh explains those who get them will need advanced degrees.. ‘the miner’ of the future may well be metropolitan based, with a higher degree in mechatronics, supercomputing or artificial intelligence.”

Is sacrificing our health and that of our children worth the risks of such short term and short sighted economic gain?