Goldmining and its effects on landscapes of the Cariboo

Abstract

The cultural process of gold mining is examined within the context of an area which has been subject to continuous gold mining for over a century, the Barkerville area of British Columbia. The physical background of this area and its position in the general history of gold mining are reviewed. The gold mining of the Barkerville area is considered under three time periods, delimited on the bas is of the predominant form of the mining technology employed. Thus the three periods are "the early period," "the hydraulic period," and "the lode mining period." The extent of mining, the form of its technology, the role of the government, t he organisation of the industry, and the effects of the mining on the landscape, are traced for each period. The landscape effects, under the headings of geomorphology, communications and settlements, and vegetation are mapped whenever possible. A comparative assessment of the effects of the various mining techniques is made: hydraulic mining producing the greatest landscape devastation. The recent introduction of a new land use, recreation, into the Barkerville area is considered in the light of its relationship to past gold mining. Current and possible future land use conflicts arising from this new development are indicated and recommendations made for handling them.