The fact that some jewelers, including large ones, are pledging not to buy gold from this mine should tell you how horribly destructive this mine would be.  Consider that all mines are very ecologically destructive and environmentally harmful, and that gold mining emits cyanide into rivers and streams.  Cheney must have thought this project up!

...they may be opposing the mine more because it poses a threat to their own interests than for eco-reasons (usin' that as a front), but hey, if it helps stop the project, I'm all for it!

It's a shame that there's so much gold already made into jewelry that just sits around in people's jewelry boxes and never gets worn.  If I inherited gold jewelry, or jewels made from any other expensive mineral, I'd sell it right away to put it back into circulation and hopefully prevent somebody from buying a new piece of gold jewelry. From Romania to Peru to Ghana, gold mines bring death (both human and wildlife), destruction and despair to communities.