|
 |
|
 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
|
 |
||||||||||
|
||
GoldYou will find a huge range of gold jewellery in our online shop
|
How Gold is Produced
|
|
| 1. | Geologists use the latest Technology such as satellite surveys and geochemistry to locate an ore deposit. |
| 2. |
Computers are used to design the mine which requires precise
and accurate measurement of the ore deposit. Construction
begins following the lengthy process of receiving permits. |
| 3. | As holes are drilled for blasting, samples of ore are examined to determine grade and metallurgical characteristics. The broken rock is marked by type for efficient processing |
| 4. | Based on its metallurgical makeup, a dispatcher directs truck operators to deliver the ore to the correct processing location. |
| 5. |  Low
Grade Ore is roughly broken into small chunks and placed
on carefully lined pads where a dilute cyanide solution is
distributed over the surface of the heap. The solution percolates
through the heap and the cyanide dissolves the gold. This
solution containing dissolved gold is then collected. |
| 6. | The gold is adsorbed (collected) out of solution onto activated carbon. The remaining cyanide solution is recycled |
| 7. | The gold loaded carbon is moved into a vessel where the gold is chemically stripped from the carbon which is then recycled. |
| 8. | The pure gold is then melted into dore' bars containing up to 90 percent gold. Dore' bars are then sent to an external refinery to be refined to bars of 999.9 parts per thousand pure gold. |
| 9. | Gold is precipitated from the solution electrolytically or by chemical substitution |
| 10. | Reclamation is a long-term investment made by every gold mining company and can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 per acre. It is the cornerstone of every mine plan and is considered the first and last step of the mining process. |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
|
| Gold Terms | |
 |
Gold Filled: Also called gold overlay, a layer of at least 10-karat gold permanently bonded by heat and pressure to one or more surfaces of a support metal, then rolled or drawn to a prescribed thickness. The karat gold must be at least 1/10 by weight of the total metal content. |
|
Rolled Gold Plate: Material consisting of a layer of plating of 10-karat gold or better which is mechanically bonded to a base metal. The karat gold content may be less than 1/20 but must be properly identified by weight in terms of total metal content. Vermeil: Gold at least 15- micro-inches thick, bonded to sterling silver by an electrolytic or mechanical process. Gold Leaf: Pure gold that is pounded into sheets applied to other surfaces by hand. Usually about 3 micro-inches thick (see picture, above) |
|
|
|
||||||
Gold
is usually hardened by alloying with other metals; it also
often occurs in nature as an alloy. The gold content of an
alloy is stated in carats; by definition, pure gold is 24
carats, and thus a 75% gold alloy is 18 carats. Gold is found
widely distributed, mostly in metallic form as dust, grains,
flakes, or nuggets. It occurs in quartz veins or lodes, usually
in association with silver or other metals, and in alluvial
placer deposits. Chief producers are South Africa, Russia,
Canada, and the U.S. Possibly the first metal used by humans,
gold was valued for ornaments, and magical powers were attributed
to it.
What
is Gold?
