I mean, obviously strip mining isn't exactly hobby material, but that's not the only way to get ore/whatever (we just use it because we've already taken out most of the more easily-accessible veins, plus it's commercially viable).
Like, for instance, opal "mining" (i.e. finding opals on the ground) is a tourist attraction in some parts of here (Australia), and you do get people who go out on the weekend just hoping to find "the big one" or whatever. Ditto with old school gold panning, as you mentioned.
Actually, Google tells me that NSW Department of Mineral Resources (the state with Sydney in it, for non-Aussies) mentions hobby mining in its Criteria for Cancellation or Non Renewal of Mining Leases (discouraging it), so it must happen.
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I mean, obviously strip mining isn't exactly hobby material, but that's not the only way to get ore/whatever (we just use it because we've already taken out most of the more easily-accessible veins, plus it's commercially viable).
Like, for instance, opal "mining" (i.e. finding opals on the ground) is a tourist attraction in some parts of here (Australia), and you do get people who go out on the weekend just hoping to find "the big one" or whatever. Ditto with old school gold panning, as you mentioned.
Actually, Google tells me that NSW Department of Mineral Resources (the state with Sydney in it, for non-Aussies) mentions hobby mining in its Criteria for Cancellation or Non Renewal of Mining Leases (discouraging it), so it must happen.