Mining's Environmental and Social Impacts

Sounds like mining is partly responsible. This time they can’t blame colonialism.

the mining is also a disaster for the affected region AFAIK

Active mining towns are not poor, it's after the mine is all played out where it gets interesting

This is a non sequitur. The mines were very far from populated or agricultural areas. They were situated in some of the least habitable parts of the US. It has nothing to do with the actual well-being of people.The US is blessed with incredible mineral wealth that is rarely exploited anymore because so many people harbor these kinds of naive assumptions, which manifests as regulations. Consequently, we depend on countries like China to supply these minerals since they are not held hostage by

it does sound like mining companies protecting their business

why go to the trouble of building and maintaining mines in your expensive western country if you can just take all the minerals from african mines, while also getting the profits of these mines. no worries about salaries, no one cares when workers die by the dozens, ...

There are negative externalities with any mining, especially as it's often done in developing countries with poor labor protection. However if you are serious about it you should strive to improve the condition of mining workers, as opposed to forgoing it in favor of pumping oil.

Not really, they're being killed off by mining companies.

this same problem is one of the side effects of mining for the metals used in things like solar panelsit comes at the sacrifice of many non-western countries and this conversation is never on the tableit's such a shame things that could otherwise last for thousands of years will get destroyed by a few decades of mismanagement

I grew up in a uranium mining town in northern Ontario. After the cold war ended and larger deposits were discovered in Africa, the town pretty mostly shut down and my dad lost his job.I'd say it gave me a nuanced view of some things despite me being quite liberal overall.- I don't think about "the environment" the way most people seem to. There are many environments and ecosystems typically cover more area than a single mine or factory can pollute. Places like Cobal