Reno, NV - Wal-Mart is being challenged to live up to its Love Earth brand of jewelry?s claims to be source from responsibly managed mines. "We are asking Wal-Mart to ensure that the mines they are sourcing from either improve their operations, or that other, more responsible mines are identified," explains Dan Randolph, Executive Director for Great Basin Resource Watch, a group based in Nevada where Wal-Mart is currently sourcing its gold for Love Earth.

The Love Earth brand, which was announced last week, claims to be ?from sources that are committed to protecting the environment? and lists Newmont Corporation?s Nevada Operations and the Rio Tinto Bingham Canyon mine as sources. The Bingham Canyon mine, located next to Salt Lake City, Utah, is one of the world?s largest copper mines, and includes smaller gold mines. The Newmont mines in Nevada include numerous large gold mines such as the Twin Creeks, Leeville, Gold Quarry, Lone Tree, and Phoenix mines

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