Answer:
Individuals mined gold near the surface, then large companies took over.
Step-by-step explanation:
This is the best description of what happened with mining in the West. When gold was discovered in the West, many people believed this to be a quick and easy way to become wealthy. This is what is known as the Gold Rush. Many people moved to the West, but only a few found significant amounts of gold. Moreover, individuals generally only mined gold that was near the surface, while large companies took over larger mining projects.