digging gold
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Digging GoldTimothy Kirschbaum
Eman SarsourRajiv MahayDoug WaaraTyler Blied
Background• Gold extracted using
“Cyanide Heap Leaching”
• Enables extraction of gold from low-grade ores
• Problems with Cyanide
Clicker Question
• Do you think in gold mining process , the benefit exceeds the environmental damage ?
1. Yes2. No3. Maybe
Problems
• Most Environmentally Destructive Industries• Cyanide Heap-Leaching (Most common
technique) • Cyanide is one of the most potent poisons • Storing Cyanide in Reservoirs• Discharging of mining waste directly into
waterways
http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/42000/42763/superpit_ali_2010045.jpg
Other ProblemsPOLLUTION
SMELTERING PROCESS
ACID MAIN DRAINAGE
POLLUTION•Consumptions of fuel
•Contribution to global warming
Smelters Produces•(ACID RAIN) •Nitrogen•Sulfur•(TOXIC METELS)•Lead•Arsenic•Cadmium
ACID MINE DRAINAGEWhile the acid drains from the mine debris, it gradually picks up other metals , such as arsenic, mercury, and lead. Which results a toxic brew that can drain right into the waterways and groundwater.
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Clicker Question
• Do you think the United States should put more regulations and restrictions on gold mining ?
1. Yes 2. No3. I don’t care
Changes in Laws
•Montana citizens voted to ban the use of cyanide heap-leach mining in the state.
• This was after a mine in Montana one of the largest in the U.S went out of business costing taxpayers 33 million.
What is Being Done• In 2005 Congress
called for new laws to require mining companies to post adequate bonds. Which is sort of like insurance, incase they go bankrupt.
Clicker Question
• Can we use technology to make gold mining profitable and safe ?
1. Yes2. No3. Maybe
Efforts for Future Prevention
Government Efforts• General Accounting Office• Stricter Environmental Laws (Mostly EU)• Heap-Leaching Banning
Ex) Montana, Wisconsin
Efforts for Future Prevention
Earthworks• “No Dirty Gold” • Jewelry Retailers
Ex) Tiffany & Co., Cartier• Madison Dialogue