The Editor,
Re. “How costly is your bling? And how ‘dirty’?” (Living Green, The Tri-City News, Feb. 26).
As a mineral exploration geologist, I find it difficult to respond to Melissa Chaun’s column. The opinions and conclusions in this column need to be refuted on so many levels that space and my comments are not sufficient.
Her criticism of the mining industry is based on selected, naively interpreted, unrelated information that is apparently drawn from sources that support her ideas.
She has problems with “earth-mined diamonds” and the conflicts that are “fuelled” by “dirty” diamonds.
Diamonds are used as a medium of exchange for weapons in some African countries. I can understand this view but since the diamond mining industry in Canada is an important foundation to our economy and does not contribute to these conflicts, I disagree with her view that natural diamonds should be avoided and synthetic diamonds be considered instead.
The co-production of industrial diamonds at these mines is also essential for making abrasive and cutting tools for industry.
The same is true for gold and base metal mining in Canada. The standard of living Canadians enjoy is based on export. This includes raw materials and manufactured goods. This new money generated by exports is fundamental to our wealth and mining plays a large part.
Contrary to her assertion, mining is actually one of the most efficient industries. The ability to extract low concentrations of metals from rock and pay miners high wages is due to efficiency and advanced technology. Mining jobs have the highest average pay rate of any industry. Our dollar and its buying power are linked to the value of oil produced by mining the Alberta oil sands. The child artisanal mining she writes about occurs in countries where resources or productivity cannot support the population. What alternative is there for these people?
In summary, whether you like or dislike the mining industry, there is nothing in an industrialized society that is produced, transported or manufactured without the products of mining. This includes agriculture, health care and all those products that are going to save the planet like solar cells, wind power, electric cars and everything electric from computers to appliances.
I have no problem with opinions expressed by others but I would prefer to read opinions from people who are better informed.
I can’t help but feel fortunate to live in a country where all the products of mining are available and affordable.
Uwe Schmidt, Port Moody
