Gold might glitter, but behind the sparkle lies a complex environmental story — especially in regions with weak regulation.
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While gold mining brings economic growth, it can also leave deep ecological scars. In the Amazon rainforest, illegal gold operations are accelerating deforestation and contaminating water sources with mercury.
Even legal operations have come under scrutiny. Open-pit mines disrupt ecosystems and generate toxic tailings that require long-term management. In regions like Ghana and Indonesia, local communities are voicing concern over land degradation and water pollution.
However, industry players are trying to clean up their act. New sustainability standards, green mining technologies, and stricter international reporting frameworks (like the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance) are slowly being adopted — though critics say progress remains too slow.