ABSTRACT
Mining of all kinds is one of the most destructive activities modern society undertakes. In this chapter, we look at the four major kinds of mining in the United States: coal mining, hardrock mining, oil and gas drilling, and deep-sea mining. We give a historical overview of each, look at the legal framework that governs them, and discuss the colossal environmental damage caused by each. Finally, we lay out a program for ending mining and implementing a restoration program to aid in the recovery of these areas under a Rights of Nature framework.
