Spring Break
Gold consumption harms environment
Alex Stephens
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Opinion
Diamonds have long been linked to some of the world's worst social practices: slavery, terrorism and environmental degradation.
The mining of diamonds in African countries such as Sierra Leone has fueled armed conflicts between government and rebel forces, resulting in ruthless practices of tribal enslavement and even child soldiering (the movie "Blood Diamond" offers an accurate portrayal of the dilemma). Such conflict is invariably the product of uninformed consumer demand for diamonds.
Average diamond buyers are unaware of the consequences related to their jewelry.
To the newly engaged couple, thoughts of diamond-sponsored warlords in Africa are seemingly unassociated with their choice of matrimonial jewelry. After all, how can we expect the simple-minded consumer to see past his decisions to the larger social implications that are entailed by them?
The frenzy of advertising does a good job covering up the harsh truth about diamonds and they are continuing to do so about another precious metal: gold.
Among the list of rare stones and precious metals, gold has been considered the most valuable and highly sought for centuries. Wars were fought, empires were created, and civilizations were eradicated all due to what South American tribes referred to as "the sweat of the gods."
Beside its everlasting sheen, gold is so valuable because it's a finite resource. Many scientists estimate only two Olympic-size swimming pools worth of gold exists on Earth, roughly equaling 161,000 tons.
According to January's issue of "National Geographic," over half of all existing gold has been mined in the past 50 years as mining technology became more widespread and efficient. And then something changed in mid-2008 -- gold became scarcer than ever before.
Old hotbeds of gold mining dried up and the market demand for the metal soared from about $400 per ounce in 2000 to nearly $900 per ounce this January.
To find new sources of gold, companies like Newmont Mining (based in Denver, Colo.) have begun open pit mining operations in various Indonesian islands and other third world locations.
The mining of diamonds in African countries such as Sierra Leone has fueled armed conflicts between government and rebel forces, resulting in ruthless practices of tribal enslavement and even child soldiering (the movie "Blood Diamond" offers an accurate portrayal of the dilemma). Such conflict is invariably the product of uninformed consumer demand for diamonds.
Average diamond buyers are unaware of the consequences related to their jewelry.
To the newly engaged couple, thoughts of diamond-sponsored warlords in Africa are seemingly unassociated with their choice of matrimonial jewelry. After all, how can we expect the simple-minded consumer to see past his decisions to the larger social implications that are entailed by them?
The frenzy of advertising does a good job covering up the harsh truth about diamonds and they are continuing to do so about another precious metal: gold.
Among the list of rare stones and precious metals, gold has been considered the most valuable and highly sought for centuries. Wars were fought, empires were created, and civilizations were eradicated all due to what South American tribes referred to as "the sweat of the gods."
Beside its everlasting sheen, gold is so valuable because it's a finite resource. Many scientists estimate only two Olympic-size swimming pools worth of gold exists on Earth, roughly equaling 161,000 tons.
According to January's issue of "National Geographic," over half of all existing gold has been mined in the past 50 years as mining technology became more widespread and efficient. And then something changed in mid-2008 -- gold became scarcer than ever before.
Old hotbeds of gold mining dried up and the market demand for the metal soared from about $400 per ounce in 2000 to nearly $900 per ounce this January.
To find new sources of gold, companies like Newmont Mining (based in Denver, Colo.) have begun open pit mining operations in various Indonesian islands and other third world locations.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Sneed Hearn
posted 1/23/09 @ 11:32 AM MST
Lots of opinions, no facts other than environmentalist blather. It could all be true or partially true but it's impossible to tell. A good column documents the expressed opinions. (Continued…)
Peace Love
posted 1/23/09 @ 6:33 PM MST
So lets get this straight.
Diamonds, a woman's best friend, have long been linked to some of the world's worst social practices: slavery, terrorism and environmental degradation. (Continued…)
jimmy
posted 1/24/09 @ 5:56 PM MST
your article was a synopsis of the National Geographic article... Next time you should just copy and paste the article straight from the magazine, at least that way the readers of the collegian will get to read an original and interesting article; as opposed to having to read your plagiarism. (Continued…)
Alrighty then!
posted 1/24/09 @ 6:43 PM MST
Thanks for the info Alex. I read this article almost two weeks ago in the National Geographic.
I'm glad that you are capable of regurgitating another persons writing and pretending that you did the fact mining and research. (Continued…)
jimmy
posted 1/24/09 @ 7:11 PM MST
Wow...
I read this article for a second time and feel that this is one of the most pathetic attempts at journalism the collegian has ever undertaken. (Continued…)
Mines '04
posted 1/25/09 @ 8:33 PM MST
..."a resource that is hardly a necessity"??? My ar$3. Maybe Alex should start by setting an example for this "moral boycott." Let's see him start by giving up his cell phone, his ipod, his Xbox360, his lcd tv. (Continued…)
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