To some extend I agree, but the fact is that they had to 'discover' all these new deposits as well. I wonder if there is a publication or map of gold producing mines in China, and also some info on when they came to production etc

In terms of labour and environmental issues, yes they are bad, but we were not much better 30 - 50 years ago. I used to work in the nickel and aluminum industries, and I can tell you it was at times very bad.

Once I had to interview 'old' workers about the working conditions in a nickel refinery in the period from 1950 to 1970, due to high frequency of nasal and throat cancers. They told me that due to dust and acid mist they at times could only see a couple of meters. I also used to spend time at a nickel plant down south where there was an amazing amount of sooth in the air. Each time I was there, for 3-5 days after I came back to Canada, black sooth came out of my noose while sneezing, pretty disqusting. Somethimes I am really wondering how anyone can survive working in such environments day in and out.

I think that after most Chinese get their first Ford Mustand, they will also start to think about quality of life, and then environmental issues will become increasingly important. With the speed of their development, hopefully this is sooner than later, otherwise most of our industries will indeed suffer.