Jacka provides a multifaceted examination of gold mining in Papua New Guinea and its social and cultural impacts during the second half of the twentieth century. While highlighting the important conflicts and tensions, the author firmly resists the temptation to embark on a morality tale of evil multinationals dispossessing people of their land and culture. On the contrary, he offers ... Read morenuanced analysis based on both field-work interviews and historical archives.
Jose Ramon Bertomeu Sanchez
Ambix
[Alchemy in the Rain Forest] is an important contribution to environmental anthropology and political ecology. Jacka ultimately argues that the mine's promises of development are as illusive as the alchemists' quest for gold. What is unique about the book is not that ultimate assessment, but its exploration of the ways in which people who bear the greatest social and environmental harms of large-scale mining understand and navigate those changes.
Jessica M. Smith
Journal of Anthropological Research
In sum, this book is a valuable addition to the specialist literature on mining and social change in Melanesia, but also written in a clear style that will be of great use in the classroom. I recommend Jacka's accessible, straightforward ethnography to all readers.
Alex Golub
Anthropology Book Forum
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