World Placer Journal - 2007 - Volume 7, pages 1-66. | ||
| ABSTRACT | ||
| KEENE DRYWASHER FROM CALIFORNIA... The article traces the appearance of drywashers from the USA and their sudden spread across the Gobi Desert, followed by metal detectors. | The study considers the poverty-driven ‘People’s Gold Rush’ that caught Mongolia by surprise. Much has been written about the phenomenon in the local and international media, workshops and seminars held, projects initiated, laws and regulations drafted. Yet most efforts reflect rather narrow agendas – child labour, alleviating poverty, defending human rights, land rights, environmental issues, health issues, concerns of investors, conflict with mining companies and so forth. Too much agenda-driven fragmentation risks policy makers being pushed and pulled in various directions without being adequately aware of the potential knock-on effect policy decisions may have on the mining industry and rural economy. The goal of the study is to describe the anatomy and evolution of the People’s Gold Rush in a holistic manner. In doing so it is hoped to give more a clearer understanding for policy and action. The study draws attention to gaps in knowledge for predicting the response of herders to the next dzud disaster, and if a wealth-driven People’s Gold Rush might occur if the gold price continues to rise. The potential of cheap innovative USA gravity sluices out-competing mercury is highlighted. |
 | EXPLOSIVES USED WIDELY... A rapid uptake of explosives for mining gold in permafrost and hardrock is occurring, and a rapid spread of cyanide joins mercury in milling hardrock ore. | |
 | WOMEN MINERS IN ALL GOLDFIELDS... The article notes that women are seen as miners above ground and underground in all the areas mined by placer and hardrock artisanal miners. | |
 Thousands of drywashers are in action in the Gobi Desert, all local copies of state-of-the-art Keene drywashers of California. Appearing as recently as 2004, the drywashers have allowed the artisanal miners to suddenly spread right across Mongolia, to arid regions where wet processing is impossible. | ||
