Dirty Gold's Impacts

Air
Communities
Economic Impacts
Human Rights
Indigenous Peoples
Natural Areas
Solid Waste
Water
Women
Worker Rights
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Dirty Gold's Impacts

Yanacocha mine leach pad.  Credit: Ernesto Cabellos/Guarango Cine y Video
Yanacocha mine leach pad.  Credit: Ernesto Cabellos/Guarango Cine y Video
Most consumers don't know where the gold in their products comes from, or how it is mined.  Gold mining is a dirty industry: it can displace communities, contaminate drinking water, hurt workers, and destroy pristine environments.

This website provides an overview of the major social, environmental, and economic impacts of gold mining.  For more information, please read our report,  Dirty Metals: Mining, Communities, and the Environment  and the latest gold mining fact sheet, and join us in the campaign to end dirty gold mining practices.

 

Many community members have painted signs publicly showing their disapproval of the gold and copper mine at Didipio, Philippines.  Credit: Ingrid Macdonald/Oxfam CAA
Many community members have painted signs publicly showing their disapproval of the gold and copper mine at Didipio, Philippines. 
Credit: Ingrid Macdonald/Oxfam CAA
Environmental Impacts:
Poisoned Waters

Solid Waste
Polluted Air

Threatened Natural Areas

Community Impacts:
Endangered Communities

Disadvantaged Women
Violated Human Rights
Toll on Indigenous Peoples

Worker Impacts:
A Dangerous Profession
Undermined Workers' Rights

Economic Impacts:
Economic and Financial Toll

 

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Did You Know?

The production of one gold ring generates 20 TONS of mine waste.

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