The Human Cost of Gold | National Geographic Magazine: Mile-Wide Batu Hijau Gold Mine Creates Problems | Indonesia

Mile-Wide Batu Hijau Gold Mine Creates Problems | Indonesia

Mile-wide Batu Hijau, a copper and gold mine, generates profits and problems on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa. Opened in 2000 by U.S.-based Newmont Mining Corporation, the huge mine employs 8,000 Indonesians. But the massive amounts of waste rock have buried rain forest. Operators expect gold to run out in about 20 years.

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