Dems fear robot miners will take over proposed Arizona copper mine

R2-D2, C-3PO and even the Transformers took center stage Wednesday in a House debate over whether to create what would be the largest copper mine in the United States, as Democrats argued that the new Arizona mine would only create jobs for robot miners.

"Much of the work that's gong to be done in this mine is going to be done by robots," said Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). "So there will be full employment for R2-D2 and for the Transformers, but the total number of jobs here, very speculative."

"I think many human beings are just going to remain unemployed under this plan," he said.

"This is jobs for robots," added Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.).

The two Democrats were talking about H.R. 1904, which would let a foreign-owned mining company, Resolution Copper Mining LLC, swap land with the federal government so it can mine for copper on what is now the Oak Flat Campground. Because the company is part-owned by Rio Tinto and BHP-Billiton, Democrats say the new mine might rely heavily on robotics, since Rio Tinto is known for pioneering this technique.

Republicans dismissed that concern.

"Does anyone honestly believe that passing this bill would create jobs only for an army of robots?" asked Rep. Dan Benishek (R-Mich.). "Are you kidding me? Robots?"

"C'mon, this isn't the Jetson's doing this," Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) said to his Democrat colleagues. "These are all real people, not robots. You didn't hear me say C-3PO."

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), the main sponsor of the bill, tried to address both the robot concern and worries that the mining site would displace Apache Indians who now use the land in question. He cited Chris, an employe of the current site and a member of the Apache tribe.

"Chris is not a robot," he said.

The House began debate on amendments to the bill at about 2:30 p.m., and planned votes on these amendments and the bill later Wednesday.