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i saw . . the milling operation that recycles and contains all processed water, and the huge [residue-collecting] pond that, over time, will become a 600-acre wetland. i saw the sophisticated monitoring system for the early detection of contamination in the groundwater. —t. h. watkins, "hard rock legacy," national geographic, march 2000

the quotation describes the management techniques of a modern gold mining operation. what is the primary purpose of these techniques?

To seek new groundwater

Explanation:

In this text, we learn that the water used in the gold mining operation is recycled, and that the processed water is collected. We also learn that this water is cleaned and that the area is eventually turned into a wetland. Finally, we also see that measures are in place in order to detect the contamination of groundwater early on.

The main purpose of these techniques is to mine in a more ecological and sustainable way. These measures are in place in order to reduce the negative impact of mining on the environment.