Short term profit is not the same as long term profit. In today's market, short term profit is king. One can make more money in one year mining gold than in farming in the surrounding land immediately affected by the mining's toxic runoff. Over 50 years though, I suspect the balance would tip to farming. But them that worship immediate wealth are not concerned with such things.

A good example of that can be seen in Southern Baja. The mountains down there are the source of the water for everyone in the area yet a few gold mining ambitions in those mountains will not go away. One village has had its groundwater ruined already. The govt. is schizo on the deal. On the one hand they're investing in good roads to attract the tourist dollar, on the other hand they like the promise of gold money.

All hail the God of profit.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K