CLOSE WINDOW Gold doesn't grow on trees! All of the techniques used to find and extract gold have an impact on their location. See how gold mines around the world have changed the environment. South Africa North America Brazil Australia North America Photograph by Karen Keeney In the 1800's in North America hydraulic mining (mining using water) was employed at the beginning of the gold rush in what is now the state of California. Miners used the jets of water to expose gold. Unfortunately, the jets also tore apart hillsides and riverbeds, many of which are still barren. TOP   © 2000 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.