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The paper explains the mechanisms whereby gold mining causes environmental damage. It gives examples of damage to the Amazon and in North America caused by gold mining. Finally, the writer urges us to conclude that that life is unquestionably more precious than gold.

Acidic deposition causes the emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide into our air supply, causing many problems to the atmosphere. When these chemicals get into the air supply they combine with the Earth's sunlight, moisture, and oxidants to generate sulfuric and nitric acids, which are then carried along with atmospheric circulation. The interaction of all these components in the atmosphere then come back to earth via rainfall and snowfall, also known as acid rain. Dry deposits from acid rain come in the form of dry particles and atmospheric gases. Until acid deposition is diminished, loss of aquatic life in lakes and streams will continue and the growth of wildlife and forests may also be affected. If mines continue to excrete chemical waste into our atmosphere without thought to the serious effects to the Earth, we may very well see our wildlife and vegetation vanish before us."