A recent New York Times series explored the environmental and other costs of gold mining around the world. According to the article, “The price of gold is higher than it has been in 17 years—pushing $500 an ounce. But much of the gold left to be mined is microscopic and is being wrung from the earth at enormous environmental cost, often in some of the poorest corners of the world.”
Several Greengrants grantees are involved in the struggle to protect residents of gold-producing regions, and the environments in which they live, from the adverse effects of gold mining. Among the Greengrants grantees mentioned in the articles is Fr. Marco Arana, a priest and leader of the community group GRUFIDES who has played a mediation role between the local campesinos, Peruvian government and Newmont. Hannah Owusu-Koranteng, who works with the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) in Ghana, is also quoted in one of the articles.
Behind Gold’s Glitter: Torn Lands and Pointed Questions (Part 1)
Treasure of Yanacocha: Tangled Strands in Fight Over Peru Gold Mine (Part 2)
The Curse of Inca Gold (PBS/New York Times documentary)
For more information on Yanacocha, you can also visit the No Dirty Gold website.