I don't have an answer for mining specifically, but having worked in robotics in the past, I'd probably guess it's just fundamentally cheaper to pay very poor p

I don't have an answer for mining specifically, but having worked in robotics in the past, I'd probably guess it's just fundamentally cheaper to pay very poor people to do it vs developing and maintaining new technologies. Unfortunately, because I could see the benefit to robotic mining technologies, heck maybe if we ever figure out how to feasibly mine asteroids or something they will get some funding.