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?
A U.S. mine debate centers on water, jobs
BIG BAY, Michigan (Reuters) – Standing on the marshy ground at Eagle Rock in the remote woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, it’s hard to imagine that beneath one’s feet is a lump of nickel worth billions of dollars. (read more at Tuscolatoday.com)
Michigan has been hurting economically. What is the impact of stopping this type of mining?Are there any jobs at stake?
The proposed sulfide mines and processing operation support few jobs overall and fewer still will go to local workers. Most of the jobs created by the mines are temporary at best and will go to specialized workers imported from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Also it is clear mining giants like Rio Tinto are fast moving away from using human miners at all and moving toward automated, robotic mining techniques. At the same time, one of the fastest growing jobs sectors in Michigan is in alternative and sustainable energy which relies on clean, fresh water sources. In addition, recreation and tourism is Michigan’s third largest economic sector and the potential devastation by this type of mining could have a severe adverse economic impact on this important and growing sector that was the inspiration behind the award-winning Pure Michigan spots. In fact, with the growth of areas such as wind energy including manufacturing wind turbines here in Michigan, it could be argued that the adverse environmental impact of sulfide mining could cost many more jobs than the very limited, temporary, direct jobs supported by the mining activity.
