- Term
mining
- Broader Term
Business and Economics
- Remarks
Discovery of metals such as gold, silver, and copper sparked mineral rushes that led to significant social and environmental changes in the American West. Individual miners gathered minerals near the earth's surface using simple tools such as a pick, shovel and prospecting pan. Once placer (surface) mines played out, many miners returned home, or moved on in search of more productive mining claims. To reach deeper veins, hydraulic and "hard-rock" mining required cooperative efforts and more advanced technology. These methods removed larger quantities of gold or silver quickly, but also led to environmental degradation. The culture of equality common to placer mining was replaced with large companies and poorly paid workers. A growing awareness of class differences contributed to the growth of labor unions beginning in the 1860s. In the 20th century, attention shifted from mining gold and silver to copper, zinc, uranium, and other metals with industrial uses.
- See Also