Abstract
The paper explains the mechanisms whereby gold mining causes environmental damage. It gives examples of damage to the Amazon and in North America caused by gold mining. Finally, the writer urges us to conclude that that life is unquestionably more precious than gold.

From the Paper
"Acidic deposition causes the emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide into our air supply, causing many problems to the atmosphere. When these chemicals get into the air supply they combine with the Earth's sunlight, moisture, and oxidants to generate sulfuric and nitric acids, which are then carried along with atmospheric circulation. The interaction of all these components in the atmosphere then come back to earth via rainfall and snowfall, also known as acid rain. Dry deposits from acid rain come in the form of dry particles and atmospheric gases. Until acid deposition is diminished, loss of aquatic life in lakes and streams will continue and the growth of wildlife and forests may also be affected. If mines continue to excrete chemical waste into our atmosphere without thought to the serious effects to the Earth, we may very well see our wildlife and vegetation vanish before us."

Tags:amazon, gold, rush, yellowstone

Abstract
The paper reveals that the Gold Rush was a dark moment in the environmental history of the American West. The paper describes how the Gold Rush resulted in significant ecosystem destruction through deforestation, sedimentation, hydraulic mining and mercury pollution. The paper looks closely at the historical facts of the Gold Rush that indicate how the environment was severely damaged by the mining operations.

From the Paper
"The history of the California Gold Rush is well-documented. What is less clear is the historical study of the lasting environmental impacts that the Gold Rush had on the California region. To be sure, the environmental impact of the Gold Rush would have been severe, if only taken in the context of the incredible demographic changes that took place in the early to mid nineteenth century. With that many people uprooting from eastern locales and making the trek west to make their fortune at the edge of the American frontier, the environment would have been hard-pressed to absorb the shock of that much more stress on the local ecosystems. However, even a cursory examination of contemporary historical work on the subject reveals that the environmental destruction was even more significant than that. The California Gold Rush, it would seem, resulted in a powerfully terrible environmental legacy for the state."

Tags:ecosystem, deforestation, sedimentation, hydraulic, mining, mercury, pollution

Abstract
This essay argues that although the mining magnates had a significant part to play in the build up to the South African War (1899-1902), the underlying causes of the war were the respective governments of Britain and the Transvaal. The paper shows that Joseph Chamberlain, Alfred Milner and C.J. Rhodes may have all contributed, but the cause of the war was greater than the actions of individuals and was the result of regional rivalry and governmental policy.

From the Paper
"As with all the principal actors involved in Transvaal politics preceding the Boer War, the gold-mining magnates certainly had a part to play in its causes. Indeed, it would be a difficult task to attribute the Boer War to a single actor, as each of the main contributors played a significant role. Most histories instead attempt to single out the primary driving force behind the war. Since the end of the war different analyses have focused on different issues; the gold-mining magnates, the respective governments in London or Pretoria, the role of the Uitlanders, the individual actions of actors such as Kruger, Milner, Rhodes or Chamberlain, and international financiers. The problem with assigning too much significance to one of these actors is that none of them were in complete control of the situation, and all relied, at least in part, upon the actions of others. Nevertheless, solely naming the different factors achieves little; it is important to try to root out the principal force. Certainly, although it now seems unlikely that the gold-mining magnates were the primary cause of the Boer War, they played an important role, even after the Jameson Raid in 1895."

Tags:jameson, transvaal, uitlanders, kruger

From the Paper
"Destruction Caused by Miners in the 1800s

To say that the gold miners in California of the 1800s had a devastating impact on the land is a great understatement. As Robert Kelly says in his book, Gold vs Grain, "They tore up the underbrush, stripped off overburden, and even uprooted soaring pines in their search for gold.". The miners pitched camp anywhere and everywhere, never mindful of the precious and fragile environment which they encountered. All forms of their mining contributed to the destruction of woodland, including sluices, booming, placer mining, dredging, drift mining, mercury and chloride processing, and hydraulic mining. Even their sheep took a toll on the vegetation of California.

Droughts and floods increased because of miners' damage to the land. Miners would callously divert streams for their use ..."

Abstract
The paper explains that the gold standard was a medium of exchange that used paper currency that could be converted into pre-determined, set amounts of gold. The paper discusses how the gold standard has several advantages but it failed in the United States and around the world because it was such an inflexible system when it came to economic downturns, and, it was tied to gold mining and gold reserves. The paper looks at the views of economists who believe that holding on to the gold standard until 1933 helped lengthen the Great Depression.

From the Paper
"The gold standard has several advantages. One of the biggest advantages of the standard is its straightforwardness. People easily understand it, and the worth is fixed, making it a constantly known value. The people also understand the value of gold, and it is a tangible asset. In addition, the gold standard assures a relatively low inflation rate, because the supply of gold remains relatively stable, and the currency remains relatively stable. It also assures the country will not print too much money, because if they print too much money, people will exchange it for gold, and then the treasury will eventually run out of the commodity. It also requires a fixed set of exchange rates around the world, so it created a very stable foreign exchange market. However, that stable exchange rate is also one of the biggest drawbacks to the gold standard, because it does not allow countries to quickly respond to changing fiscal circumstances in their countries."

Tags:Great, Depression, mining, reserves, economy

Abstract
The paper overviews the history of the development of coal mining methods in the Appalachian regions. The paper looks at underground mining, strip mining and mountaintop removal mining (MRM) as well as the problem of inadequately controlled and managed coal slurry impoundments and slag heaps. The paper also describes the harmful effects of these methods of mining on the environment. In addition, the paper refers to many studies that all emphasize the fact that a more harmonious balance between industrial coal mining and the environment needs to established.

Outline:
Introduction
The Environmental History of Appalachian Coal Mining
Environmental Impact of Coal Mining in the Appalachians
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The issue of coal mining in the Appalachian regions has in recent years been the cause of much debate and contention. The central concern in this debate is the dramatic and severe impact that coal mining has had on the environment of the region. In the age of global warming and climate change the issue of the devastation of the natural environment through mining methods such as mountaintop removal mining (MRM) tends to evoke strong and critical responses."

Tags:underground, strip, mountaintop, removal, mining, slurry, impoundments, slag, heaps

Abstract
A look at the events that lead to the gold rush in Australia during the 1850's. The author looks at the end of Australia's depression, Australian labor and new mining techniques and skills as prospective contributors. The author also examines the effects of the Gold Rush for Australia.

From the Paper
"Payable gold was discovered in Australia due to several factors. The combination of prospecting expertise and new, efficient methods of extraction being applied together with the necessary publicity at a time when gold had the world's attention and Australia was coming out of a depression that had crippled its wool staple provided the impetus for the gold rushes of 1851.Gold had been discovered in quantity as early as 1829 and it has been argued that Governor Gipps and other colonial authorities had prevented the rise of gold mining prior to 1851. Certainly the idea of a British prisoner being transported to a land of gold hardly seems like punishment. However, the more likely cause for earlier discoveries not precipitating gold rushes was the ancient British law that held all precious metals mined to be the property of the Crown. Richard Cotter has suggested that the exodus of Australian labor to the California fields and the depression of the 1840s modified official attitudes to gold. Cotter believes that prior to Edward Hammond Hargraves? efforts gold had been easier to find than to exploit. New mining techniques and prospecting skills along with the mineral search spurred by the depression of the 1840s proved crucial according to Cotter."

Tags:mining, boom, depression, economics, trade, rich

Abstract
The paper explores the literature to determine the impact of the recent global economic downturn on the Australian mining industry and its workers. The paper finds that Australia has a strong economy with a low unemployment rate, but all of this may change in the coming months as the ongoing global economic downturn plays havoc with the nation's mining industry which represents one of the most important components of its economy. The paper does point out, however, that it is likely just a matter of time before Australian mining companies such as Rio Tinto will witness a resumption of demand by its major export partners in the future. This paper contains graphs.

Outline:
Review and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Australia currently enjoys a healthy economy that has a per capita GDP that is comparable to the four dominant West European economies (Australia, 2009). The recent global economic downturn, though, spells trouble for the Australian economic in general and the mining industry in particular. According to U.S. government analysts, "Emphasis on reforms, low inflation, a housing market boom, and growing ties with China have been key factors over the course of the economy's 17 solid years of expansion. Robust business and consumer confidence and high export prices for raw materials and agricultural products fueled the economy in recent years, particularly in mining states" (Australia, 2009, p. 2). The Minerals Council of Australia (2009) reports that, "The Australian minerals industry is defined as covering the exploration and mining of minerals (including coal) and the associated minerals processing industry" (The Australian minerals industry and the Australian economy, 2009, p. 1). In fact, the coal, iron ore, and gold mining industries are among the most important components of the Australian economy today (Australia, 2009). In this regard, during fiscal year 2008-2009, the mining industry in Australia accounted for 8 per cent of the nation's gross domestic product, and employed 133,200 workers directly and another 200,000 workers indirectly (The Australian minerals industry and the Australian economy, 2009). The Australian mining industry was responsible for exporting the following amounts of coal and uranium, iron ore, other minerals and related mining services equipment in fiscal year 2008-2009 as shown in Figure 1 below (amounts in billions of dollars)."

Tags:Rio, Tinto, miners, coal, gold, uranium, iron, ore

Abstract
In this article, the writer maintains that all of the events of westward expansion and manifest destiny are very important, but the most significant event which caused westward expansion in the late 1840s was the California Gold Rush. The writer focuses on the women that were involved in the gold rush and what their actual roles were. The writer notes that this is very important because most people do not realize how women like Louise Amelia Clappe and others like her affected the gold rush and what took place at that time in history. The writer concludes that the extreme greed that over took many people, the violence and tragedy that broke out over the desire for wealth, and the destruction of the native people of California made the California gold rush one of the most tumultuous times in history.

From the Paper
"The most famous tales of the California Gold Rush say that in January of 1848, James Marshall, who was an employee of John Sutter, was building a sawmill. This incomplete mill was what would later become known as Sutter's Mill, and it is where the first piece of gold that consequently started the California Gold Rush was found. Sutter received the property from the Mexican government, as he talked them into granting him 48,000 acres in the Sacramento Valley. Unfortunately, the land that the Mexican government granted to Sutter was already owned by Indians who had been in that area a great deal longer than any Mexican or American settlers. The ranch that Sutter lived on was run and staffed almost entirely by Indians. There is some discrepancy about whether or not Sutter treated his Indian workers well, or whether they were used more as slaves."

Tags:Oregon, Trail, Louise, Amelia, Clappe, mining