Gold mining process

🔎 Gold mining process

⭐️ Gold is one of the most valuable and desirable metals on the planet. Its journey from the bowels of the earth to jewellery is a complex chain of processes that requires modern technology, expertise and precise organisation. Here’s a closer look at how gold is mined:

▪️ Geological exploration: It all starts with prospecting for deposits. Geologists analyse the terrain, conduct chemical and physical analysis of the soil, drill boreholes and estimate the precious metal reserves in the subsurface.

▪️ Deposit development: When the economic feasibility of mining is confirmed, construction of open pits or mines begins. In open-pit (quarry) mining, the topsoil is removed to reach the gold-bearing rock. Underground mines are used if the gold is located deep.

▪️ Ore extraction: Miners crush and lift the gold-bearing ore to the surface. This is done using powerful specialised machinery, drilling rigs and explosives.

▪️ Ore enrichment: The raw material needs to be purified from unnecessary impurities. Various methods are used for this purpose – gravity concentration, flotation, leaching with reagents such as cyanide.

▪️ Gold extraction: The main stage is the transfer of gold from ore into solution, followed by precipitation and purification from impurities. The result is a high purity gold concentrate.

▪️ Refining (purification): The final stage is to obtain high grade gold. Sophisticated methods (electrolysis, chemical treatment) make it possible to obtain metal with purity up to 99.99%.

▪️ Casting and bullion production: Finished gold is melted down and poured into moulds to produce bars, which become the basis of countries’ currency reserves or sent for processing for various industries.

📌 The gold mining process is a unique combination of science, technology and years of experience. Each gram of gold is the result of the work of an entire team and modern technology.