Environmental concern versus development, large business interests versus those of the masa (common folk), state ownership of mineral resources versus the rights of indigenous peoples, large and medium-scale mining companies versus small-scale miners- nowadays, these appear to be conflicting and irreconcilable issues. Mining (with its concomitant issue of environmental conservation) is a currently controversial and hotly debated issue. The question in the minds of many seems to be -Is mining of any benefit to society today? Or are its gains far outweighed by its negative effects on the environment as well as on the welfare of the indigenous groups on whose lands so many of the mineral deposits are to be found?