The Midas Rush — Ed Hoornaert

Gold! Mystery! Humans from all worlds flock to planet Jones when some of the planet's intelligent natives are transformed into solid gold. Tresky Buffrum seeks neither gold nor mysteries, just a taste of adventure before settling into a quiet shepherd's life. What he gets instead is an inscrutable bride who lures him to danger and intrigue at the Midas Crater. And innocent young Tresky is the only one who can defeat the fanatics who gather like vultures to obliterate the crater-and to destroy all humans on Jones.