All that glistens ain't green

The world's biggest gold producer Barrick Gold says it will continue digging at its Valadero mine in the San Juan provice of Argentina. This despite a law passed by the Senate in September that curbs mining on the nations glaciers. Barrick insits its operations will not destroy or disturb the country's icefields. However environmental groups claim the company's road networks high in the Andes affect the formation of glaciers.

"Today, this glacier is no more than three metres high, that's all that's left.... Its impressive, the amount of rock they have dynamited....It´s changed the landscape," notes Alejandro Gutierrez a former Barrick Gold employee.

With less than 60mm of rain per year, San Juan is drier than the Sahara. If its glaciers disappear, so will its prime source of water. Additionally dynamite used for mining blasts particles over the ic efields and accelerates melting.

And while gold may be good diamonds are said to be a girls best friend. Records were made at the end of November when 20 million euros were paid for a pink diamond ring, the highest price ever for a jewel. The trade of diamonds has led to all out war and even when the mines are gone problems continue for locals. ENVIRONMENT goes to Sierra Leone were farmers are trying to grow rice in the craters left from open cast diamond mines there. "Diamonds have destroyed this land. Most people that mine make very little except the lucky ones. Agriculture is better than mining. You always reap what you sow," says local farmer Tamba Charles. His enthusiasm for agriculture is spreading but the pock marked land floods easily making them hard to harvest.