The brutality of gold mining is never truly considered when purchasing jewelry or gold bars by the average consumer. As many in the world are now learning, there is more that goes into stocking products on the shelves than just what is seen. There is an entire supply chain that moves a product from raw materials to final goods. With gold, the understanding that many have is entirely constructed by what is depicted on popular televisions shows.
Unfortunately, what is depicted in these shows does not adequately reflect the significant environmental damage caused by industrial-scale mining activities. For those with little understanding of the supply chain for precious metals, The Shadow of Gold provides the context for viewers to consider a simple question of, “do you know where the gold in your jewelry comes from?”
Providing perspectives of not only the environmental costs but also human costs of gold mining, the film covers this topic on multiple continents. Starting in North America and the pristine landscape of Montana just outside Yellowstone National Park, local residents debate the benefits of possible gold mining operations as many see an opportunity to infuse money into the local economy, while others worry about the long-term impact on the natural environment which currently brings in tourist dollars.
Quickly, the film moves to British Columbia, Canada to highlight the possible environmental damage that can occur by documenting the mining waste spill from the tailings pond at Mount Polley which sent this waste into local waterways. As if the environmental cost is not high enough, the film highlights the human cost to the health of those working in the mines and the overall exploitation of workers in this industry.
As the film seamlessly circles the globe providing poignant stories of gold mining operations and the human and environmental costs, it does not just focus on the problems but goes further to provide reasonable solutions including new methods to extract gold from the earth and ways to ensure workers are paid a living wage through alternative pay structures.
With the mixture of interviews and news footage, The Shadow of Gold is able to tell a compelling story by circling back and providing updates from each region highlighted. While the film clearly focuses on the negative impact of mining operations, the value of this film is that it offers solutions to the problems it identifies by way of new, less impactful mining methods that do not use toxic chemicals and solutions as well as to the labor issue of ensuring that workers are paid a living wage. The educational documentary also includes interviews with mining industry representatives that communicate the clear message that current technology and consumer goods require this precious metal.
This film will leave viewers thinking about their own consumption habits. It is recommended for any academic film collection focused on environmental studies and natural resources management but also collections on consumerism, supply chain management, and labor relations. Recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P