Is There Such a Thing as “Dirty Gold”?

The big “thing” at “no dirty gold” is the use of recycled gold. They say that recycled gold is already out of the ground and therefore somehow more environmentally friendly. The lie they don’t tell you is that the process of recycling gold involves strong acids (creating hazardous wastes) and incineration of electronic components (creating serious air pollution emissions and even more toxic waste). Environmentally speaking, recycled gold is probably WORSE than newly mined gold as far as pollution created per ounce of gold. So is there any validity to their claim that recycled gold is somehow environmentally better than newly mined gold? Of course not! But they have to keep up the lie so your money continues flowing into their coffers.

One of nodirtygold's chief targets is Couer 'Alene Mines. I have spent time at a Couer mine here in Nevada – and know it to be a clean operation. Yet this is one of the companies repeatedly attacked by “no dirty gold” on their web site. The Couer mine I have visited is their silver and gold mine at Rochester in Nevada. That mine is highly regulated and very clean. I have been there in person to see it. The folks in the nearby town are glad to have them in their county - for many years it has been the county's largest business and their taxes pay a considerable portion of the county budget. The environmental impacts of that mine are near zero. So don't let an extremist website full of baloney BS and little or no facts convince you somehow that all newly mined gold and silver are somehow "dirty". They are just a bunch of ignorant, hypocritical socialists simply looking for a hand out "donation".

Mining companies are subject to thousands upon thousands of laws limiting their effects on the environment. They must obtain and hold dozens of permits governing the impacts their operations. Here in the US, they must pay the government in advance for the cost for the reclamation for any land disturbed by their operations. They must pay for their own reclamation before they even turn their first shovel full of dirt. Mining is one of the most heavily regulated businesses out there. Yes, a century ago, miners made some serious environmental impacts. However this is not 1877, and things have changed. We have the EPA, BLM, MSHA and many other Federal, State and local government agencies to constantly regulate and minimize the impacts of their operations.

The other important point about all these groups who oppose all mining in the US is that they are increasing pollution in small developing nations populated mostly by minorities. The gold, copper and other resources have to come from somewhere, so it gets mined in Bolivia, or Namibia or someplace like that. These countries are poorly prepared to regulate the mines there and as a result, more pollution is created than per pound of metal mined than there would be if it were mined here. There is actually more pollution created on a worldwide basis than if the resources were mined here and used here. Supporting mining in the USA actually reduces worldwide pollution. The "not in my backyard" perspective promoted by these groups is actually a very selfish and self-centered one.

Ever wonder why these folks do these anti-mining websites? They basically are looking for money to support their phony organization. There is no question that the internet presents a significant opportunity for scam artists to shake down a generous American public. All you need is a website announcing a cause that pulls at America’s heartstrings. The goal is to find an easy cause that everyone can agree to – something like mom and apple pie. Mining companies make for an easy, faceless target. Mining companies are easily demagogued as so many who folks just don’t know the truth. They just think all miners are evil, planet destroying meanies. Once a target is selected, all you need to do is set up a website, claim your target is some kind of threat and then ask for money! The truth is unnecessary, just make accusations. After the money starts to pour in, you can live free on easy street with pockets full of cash. You need no qualifications, no special education, you don’t even have to do anything other than keep your money requesting website operational. Hire yourself to do nothing for a million a year or pay your kids $10,000 a month to play video games. It’s a completely legal swindle! A number of similar websites attacking related targets have been set up to dupe a generous but ill informed public.

So don’t buy the baloney, don’t fall for the lie, don’t drink the Kool-Aid! If you want to give some money to make the world a better place, find the local homeless shelter in your community. Most of these operations make highly efficient use of donated money to help those who are down and out. Any money donated to “no dirty gold” is wasted and accomplishes nothing of significance.

Unlike "nodirtygold.org" I am not asking for a hand out, nor am I paid by industry or government grant money. I am not a hypocrite telling you to do what I wont do myself - as they are. I post this information because I know it is the truth.

Nevada Outback Gems