Hardrock Mining - Re-think; Reform

[HMDickson]

I came, I saw, I almost threw up! When the hell did biking and kayaking come to outrank work and production? I guess you have your head up your ass just for the warmth. Just a case of another bunny hugger fermenting enough to float to the top. Get you a pick and shovel son. You will find out that no body gives a hard rock miner a damn thing! I thank God every night that I am a placer miner and don't have to beat on that granite.

[craigmancool]

lets all start FIGHTING!

[MCK3274]

Watching what happens when mining companies "mountain top" in W. Virginia I wouldn't trust any of them to not ruin the land after they are down with.

[petlahbnoden]

very well produced, inspiring and reaching.

[joeploharz]

Why don't you really stick it to the mining corperations and stop using anything that is a product of mining. You have no idea what you are talking about. Mines are strictly regulated along with thier tailings.

[moparnut27]

and did you people know that up until a few years ago, over half of this countries' silver stockpile, which is and was mined out here, was wraped up in the coils used to produce fuel rods for nuke reactors to make power, oh by the way uranium is mined out here here too. we are one of the few self sufficient countries in the world, so you bark rubbing, left wing pinko commie, idiots can get bent!

[moparnut27]

where do you think the iron ore to make the steel for your hybrid's' frame came from, where do you think some of the minerals to make fertalizer so you dont have to sysnthesize them out of oil come from so you people can stuff your faces, where do you think that food is grown, where do you think the oil comes from to run that equipment to produce your food, and the surplus that exsists in this country?

[moparnut27]

god! have you people have nothing better to do? the west is still valued for what it has below the ground what do you think makes the electricity i'm, and everyone else is viewing this with, what do you think produced the power for you ignorant fucktards to make this video, where do you think the copper and aluminum for power transmision came from, where do you think the gold for you electronics came from?

[redline1189]

tell me how much you fucking contribute to the economy paddling your kayak down the river. another tree hugging idiot???? go kick some redneck off his claim, be the last thing you do

[tabwyo]

This is 100% missinformation. Although you have a lofty goal. What you are doing is lieing to people who don't know any better.

BTW, what you are advocating will keep the large commercial mines in operation. Not shut them down.

Small scale mining is a very well regulated right granted to all of us.

[mistersmith6000]

@tabwyo I qm one that doesn't know better, but/and I can't see how this message is misinformation based on my intuition, because mining the land is not a 'right' nor should it be, It is a privilege which carries with it a responsibility. Going out of of town with a metal detector and a sense of adventure is one thing but if we own any shares, fixed-term savings, even a piddly little trust fund, superannuation etc.. we all complicit as funders of co-operations that owe us profits. Private miners!

[piecartbox]

You can't still buy land from the government, you can only claim the minerals. The government still owns the land and has the authority to make sure you put up bond for reclamation for when you are done.

Hardrock can be nasty on a large scale, so every effort should be made to keep exposed material from contaminating watersheds etc. But its not like they get land or the right to mine for nothing.

[jimmy6tall2]

Protect Our Mining legacy it's our history. Recreational mining is alive and well. Protect the small miner to mine. And protect abondon mines, stamp mills and being Bulldozed over by the Government and green extremists who want to destroy these historical sites.

[paskentatom]

I love hiking and camping, and I'm also about to start a hard rock mine! I agree that there should be some reform. I think mining claims should only be available to U.S. companies and citizens. Mining should also be encouraged. It is very good for the economy. When mineral resources are developed it creates wealth, which provides a benefit to everyone. Some reform has already taken place, for instance, you can no longer buy (patent) the land, you can only lease (claim) the land.

[azroberth]

W also are having difficulty with a Canadian company want 12,000 acres of the National Forest in Arizona. Good luck.

[intrepidxxx]

Individuals should be allowed to mine - there is only so much damage a person or several people can do, compared to industrial mining that uses toxic methods and massive machines to scar the earth for the benefits of the few. People should be allowed to mine responsibly for personal and family benefit - we need more serious restrictions when dealing with massive amounts of materials being moved. I find harvesting useful items more interesting than riding around AND I do it respecting the earth.

[intrepidxxx]

Having said that, I also disagree with individuals who are destructive and use toxic methods to harvest - and they should be held accountable, just as big companies that are destructive should be. At the same time I also respect big companies that are environmentally conscious and minimally intrusive and non-polluting in their processes.

[intrepidxxx]

But we don't need big companies, they are generally the worst culprits and many 'regulations' simply prevent you or I to do the things BIG companies can find ways to do even with a law to prevent abuse. Laws generally serve the law makers and the rich, not the individuals. Big companies tend to amass more for the few, under the guise that they 'create' employment, etc - if people spent their time mining for themselves, they would share in the bounty that the rich horde for themselves.

[5quarter]

if its not grown its mined what you are doing is throwing the public off public lands and making the restrictions so tight only large mining companies are able to meet the restrictions then pay off you lame ass greenies for the right to mine. there is more to the outdoors than yuppy sports like the video said we are smarter now and a miner cant do what was done 150 years ago. do you realize just how much mercury and lead is pulled from streams each year by suction dredgers?

[djhart4]

terrific footage!

[djhart4]

terrific footage.  this video makes a very compelling point - would love a more specific call to action so I know how I can help right now...

[silver760]

with millions of square miles with bog all in them,it doesnt really matter if the whole place was mined,the land that has been mined will return to normals time goes on.

[bigpedaler777]

that's the kind of thinking that's gotten us where we are today as far as the environment is concerned -- "it's not much, i just want what i got coming to me; after all, it's a big planet, how much can it hurt?" multiply that thought by 300 million, and ask it again. unlike oil -- which still takes eons to become 'consumable' -- our earthly mineral supply does not replace itself. so -- does it really matter?

[estifallen]

Is that Will Smith narrating??

[aanasa]

You guys like the band? They are called Meniskus. They are on iTunes. I recommend: Letters, Overbearing, and Brother. Great Band!

[snowbiker111]

EARTH FIRST!!!... (we'll mine the other planets later...)

[c4hair]

Nice work on the video! The premier at Outdoor Retailer was great too.

[juliabest111]

Thank you for this visual to emphasize the mining situation. We have Red Lady Mountain overlooking Crested Butte that is being threatened to be mined.

[mmrcamps]

Great eye opener on mining and it's affects.

[msfranby]

important stuff - great music

[DickBryant]

Thank you for making this great video. It addresses one of the major threats to our two favorite recreation areas - Colorado and Arizona.

Dick Bryant and Kathy Feeney