Gold Mining

I could not believe the article in The Times (Part I, May 23) about cyanide heap-leach mining. It appears that the land will be poisoned and scarred to extract a few pounds of gold.

An officer of Viceroy Resource Corp. defended the despoliation by saying that it will increase the gross national product. Big deal! If I poison you and you require medical attention as a result, your medical costs also increase the gross national product. Does that justify my poisoning you? Does life count anymore? Does the land count anymore? Is there any meaning to “America the Beautiful?” Apparently not, if you can make a few bucks by damaging her. It has become “Gross National Product the Beautiful!”

BRUCE BARNBAUM

Somis