There has been much concern regarding mining and its effects on the environment.  For this discussion, I want you to form...

There has been much concern regarding mining and its effects on the environment.  For this discussion, I want you to form and state an opinion based on some Internet research. Do not spend more than 20 minutes looking things up on the internet.  Two or three concise paragraphs should be sufficient.  Please list sources you found online.  

Consider topics such as:
Mining should be stopped:  what economic and social effects would result?

Mining should continue:  what about environmental impacts?

Give some thought to these ideas when you form you opinion.