Throughout the nineteenth century, miners were given virtually free rein to profit without having to worry about impacts to the land, water, and air. This title gives an account of the damage wrought by almost two centuries of mining. It focuses on the conflicting attitudes behind the destruction and on society's responses.
Mining America is a vivid account of the damage wrought by almost two centuries of mining, but its main focus is on the conflicting attitudes behind the destruction and on society's responses. Veteran author and historian Duane Smith asserts that the marriage of mining and environmental issues was bound to touch America's sensitive pocketbook nerve - but the question now is, are all groups willing to pay the price?