Exploration of the Gold resource
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1.O Introduction
From the ancient to the contemporary world, gold is among the most valuable minerals. Over the years, gold has been used for various purposes in varying fields. For instance, in the contemporary world, gold is mainly used to treat arthritis patients. In its pure form, gold is a slightly reddish yellow bright, dense, malleable, and ductile metal. Due to its relatively rare nature, gold is a valuable metal used for jewelry, coinage, and other arts throughout ever recorded history. This paper analyses gold from its prospection through mining, processing, economic value, and implications on the environment.
Fig 1.0 Gold. Source: financial express
2.0 Gold
2.1 Where and how to find gold
With the technological advancements witnessed over the years on geological processes of gold formation, the process of prospecting and identifying gold-bearing areas is now increasingly more feasible. For instance, recently, in the United States’ western region, the community has sprouted and drawn towards gold prospecting (McCracken, 2003). Numerous hypotheses exist revolving around the gold formation in that it surfaces in several types of sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Mainly, gold is found in two diverse types of deposits, including lode or the problematic rock veins and placer, located on the surface. Consequently, locating a region rich in gold involves intensive research, dedication, planning, and financial resources.
2.2 Mining and Extraction
Gold extraction encompasses the processes necessary for drawing out gold from its ores. This process essentially requires a combination of numerous processes, including hydrometallurgical, mineral processing, comminution, and pyrometallurgical processes in the ore. Initially, gold mining was achieved through several methods interlinked with placer mining, such as gold sluicing and planning, leading to the recovery of small gold flakes and nuggets. According to Fashola et al., (2016), the placer mining techniques have generally been sorely the practice of artisan miners.
Similarly, hydraulic mining is used in mining gold. This method encompasses breaking down of alluvial deposits subject to high-pressure jets of water. Once the gold ore is mined, it is then treated as a whole. During the cleaning process, miners treat the ore using heap leaching or dump leaching processes. Additionally, McCracken, (2003) argues that the ore is usually crushed and bundled up before the heap leaching process.
2.3 Gold processing into valuable items
Over the years, the word gold is attached to something of value or beauty. Due to these attributes, gold is processed into varying items, including jewelry. According to McCracken, (2003), gold’s atom electronic structure reflects electromagnetic radiation with wavelength more than 5600 angstroms and absorbs less than 5600 angstroms. Naturally, gold’s chemical stability is based on the instability of the specific compounds it forms with water and oxygen. Due to these attributes, it is possible to chemically refine gold from the less noble metals through oxidation of less noble metals and afterward separating them as dross from the molten gold.
The resulting product is then dissolved in several solvents encompassing sodium cyanide dilute solutions and hydrochloric acid oxidation. Naturally, gold dissolves in these solvents as a result of stable complex ions formation. With a face-centered cubic crystal structure, gold is characterized by a malleability or softness that makes it easier for it to be shaped into specific structures without requiring complex metalworking equipment. Due to these attributes, gold is universally used for jewelry and decorative items fabrication.
Fig 2.0 Gold jewelry. Source: financial express
2.4 The economic value of gold
In many economies across the globe, gold is a primary driver of economic growth and development. Essentially, transparent, accountable, and well-managed resource extraction can be a vital contributor to any economy’s growth as it creates business and employment opportunities for the residents. Besides the indirect and direct employment opportunities, gold mining enhances a country’s foreign exchange, foreign direct investment, and tax revenues to nations (Fashola et al., 2016). Also, gold mining companies operating in often remote locations invest in utilities and infrastructure, which are long-term benefits to communities and businesses across these regions. These developments outlive a gold mine’s production years.
2.5 Environmental impact of gold mining
Considering the impulse of mining to the air, underground, and the communities around the mines, gold mining is among the world’s most destructive process. According to Fashola et al. (2016), mining of gold often leads to the displacement of communities, death, workers’ injury, drinking water contamination, and destruction of pristine environments. Additionally, this process pollutes land and water with cyanide and mercury. As a result, these endanger the health of ecosystems and people. Approximately, production of a single wedding ring can generate up to twenty tonnes of waste.
3.0 Conclusion
Overall, gold is a precious and highly valuable metal. This variability is mainly attributed to the preciousness of gold and the fact that it is scarce to find gold. Due to its chemical composition, gold is easily soluble in some solvents, making it easier to extract gold from its ore. Similarly, gold’s malleability and softness make it easier to shape and refine it into varying forms, such as wedding rings. Despite its high value, gold mining substantially hurts the environment and leads to communities’ displacement around the mines. To prevent gold mining’s negative implications, scientists and geologists should come up with more efficient methods to prospect and mine gold.
References
Fashola, M., Ngole-Jeme, V. & Babalola, O. (October 26, 2016). Heavy Metal Pollution from Gold Mines: Environmental Effects and Bacterial Strategies for Resistance. International Journal of Research on Public Health. 13(11), 10-47
McCracken, D. (2003). Gold Mining in the 21st Century: The Complete Book of Modern Gold Mining Procedure. New Era Publications.