Living quarters for the construction crew.

From: Robert dehammer@...

> the technology to replace miners with robots has been around for at least a decade,

Oh, how I wish you were right.

What has been around is remote controlled equipment. This has been used in both coal and hardrock mining. This can improve safety and productivity. Typically the operator is close by. Autonomous operation is a long way off.

> in space, there are no miners to replace. they will go with robotics long before mining underground does.

Has nothing to do with protecting jobs. Robots will be prominant as advances make them the most effective approach. Mike is right: we'll see these advances reliably working on earth long before we see them prolificly in space.

Automation does not give a slight advantage to productivity. It can be a multiplier. Consider, some of the most advanced mining operations on planet earth are in Chile. Note that labor costs in Chile are a lot lower than Germany. Some new and very modern mines are opening in China this year. Why invest in technology if labor is not expensive? Because the best technology can yield the most efficient and reliably production.

As for jobs: The miners are not driving the advances. The economics are.