Record High Gold Prices Driving Miners Back to 'Them Thar' Black Hills

A 21st century gold rush may be underway in South Dakota’s Black Hills. Record high gold prices are prompting companies to dig new mines in a region where miners and tribespeople once killed each other over it.  

There’s now just one working gold mine there. But companies are asking the state to permit another. They're also asking the state to approve sites for exploratory drilling.   

The Lakota Sioux object for the same reason they fought to stop mining 150 years ago. The land is sacred to them. They are backed by environmentalists. Many are concerned the mines will pollute waterways and transform the landscape.      

“These impacts can be long term and make it so that tourism and outdoor recreation is negatively impacted,” Lilias Jarding told The Associated Press. She is the head of the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance.

Gold mining is known to be one of the most damaging forms of mining. Mining companies rely on toxic chemicals to separate gold from other metals. The process can pollute soil and water. Gold mining also generates lots of waste. And it requires a great deal of land clearing. Experts warn that land turned into a gold mine does not return to its original form.      

Gold prices are at historic highs of more than $3,000 an ounce. That's why opponents fear that mining companies will be hard to stop. South Dakota has historically been friendly to the industry. The prices for gold are 10 times what they were 20 years ago.    

Dakota Gold is seeking to open a new mine in Lawrence County. It says it will create hundreds of jobs. And it claims it could produce $400 million in state tax revenue. 

“I do feel it could have a real positive impact," Jerry Aberle told KSFY-TV. He's the former head of Dakota Gold.

Reflect: What do you think is more important to protect, natural places or economic opportunities, and how do you decide? 

Gif of South Dakota’s Black Hills from GIPHY.