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9 Step Process for Discovering, Mining & Refining Gold

By ProvidentMetals on January 23, 2012 Filed Under: Uncategorized

We’ve no doubt all seen the old western movies of the prospector with a pan in the river searching for gold. In early America, pioneers sunk their fortunes into searching for gold this way.

In modern times though, mining for gold is a much more intensive, yet sophisticated process. Most surface, or alluvial gold has been found, which is why gold is mainly mined from the earth today. It’s largely a matter of technology and requires much expertise and elaborate equipment.

Mining for gold today can essentially be broken down into 9 steps. Continue reading to learn more about how gold is discovered, how it’s brought out of the ground and how it’s refined to produce beautiful gold coins, bars, jewelry and other items.

Step #1 – Finding Deposits

The first step is discovering where gold deposits may be. Geologists use special ‘geology’ maps to look for promising areas to explore further. They examine physical and chemical characteristics of surface rocks to determine if any gold is in the ground beneath.

Step #2 – Analysis of Promising Areas

Once some promising areas are identified through their geological characteristics, targets for drill testing are outlined using a variety of techniques, including remote sensing, geophysics and geochemistry (…both air and ground based).

Step #3 – Drill Testing/Samples

Next, rock samples are taken through drill testing and analyzed. Geologists and mining engineers use these samples to determine if gold actually exists, the size of the deposit and the quality of gold in the ground beneath. This information is used to determine if enough gold exists under the surface to make mining worthwhile.

Step #4 – Type of mine

If it’s determined the amount and quality of deposits makes mining worthwhile, engineers will next determine the type of mine that’s needed, any physical obstacles and the impact the mine will have on the surrounding environment.

Step #5 – Building Infrastructure

Before any mining can take place, infrastructure like roads and processing facilities must be constructed. Even the simplest open-pit mines can take up to a year to construct before any mining can occur. And since many potential mines are in remote areas, entire infrastructures like roads, administrative offices, equipment storage areas and even whole towns have to be built. Much of the time, it can be up to 5 years between the times discovery is made to when actual mining takes place.

Step #6 – Mining samples and determining processing

Once mining gets underway, samples must be taken to determine the precise metallurgical qualities of the ore. This is done in order to determine the appropriate processing technique.

Step #7 – Processing (on-site)

Once ore is extracted, processing it into pure gold must be done. Ore is first crushed and then undergoes various processes depending on the nature of associated minerals. Processing low-grade ore is relatively simple while higher grades require more extensive processing.

Step #8 – Refining (off-site)

Once basic processing is done, the ore is taken to a refinery where the remaining impurities are stripped out. Crude gold is melted and treated with chloride, which converts any remaining foreign metals to chloride which will then drift off the gold. The result is 99.5% pure gold, which is then cast into electrodes (…known as anodes) where it is then placed into an electrolytic cell. A current is then passed through the cell, with the end product being 99.99% pure gold.

Step #9 – Mine reclamation

After a few years, gold reserves in the mine will be exhausted. In the old days, the mine would be boarded up and abandoned. Today though, a reclamation project is done to try and return the land to its previous natural state – as much as possible anyway.

As you can see, the process of taking metal ore from the earth and converting it to gold bullion is quite extensive and requires a lot  front-end investment and time. In the end though, we get these shiny coins and bars to enjoy.

Gold miners too take special care to make the impact of mining for gold as light as possible. Reclaiming land to its previous natural state is the final and perhaps most important step to ensuring the process of obtaining gold doesn’t result in permanent damage to the landscape.

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Comments

  1. Tracy-Ann Lofters says

    November 27, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    The post on the 9 steps of how gold is refined, has helped me to relate the process of God’s divine will has a child of God, when one is choosen by God, he or she has to go through a process in order to accomplish the will of God and also to embrace others in knowing God. I was inspired spiritually by God in researching the steps and process gold has to go through to become the finest gold.

    Reply
    • Manasa Vula says

      August 26, 2018 at 7:49 am

      Thank God , was thinking the same way…God bless.

      Reply
    • Jitto Joseph Joy says

      March 18, 2019 at 2:32 am

      Actually, I was searching for a spiritual insight which you have defined here.
      Thank you Tracy

      Reply
  2. Victor says

    November 22, 2017 at 3:55 am

    Excellent insight. I’ll be a Miner soon and find this info so valuable. Spirituality is better explained here as well.

    Need more people assist in starting a plant early next year if all goes well. Thanks

    Reply
    • Piotr Przadka says

      November 28, 2017 at 7:47 pm

      Hey Vic where are you gonna mine?

      Reply
  3. samkelisiwe mhlanga says

    October 9, 2017 at 10:02 am

    this help me so much on my project that i have given by my teacher and ithink it’s going others thank you so much

    Reply
  4. Innocent says

    October 4, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    its good but I think you should add more info

    Reply
    • Ayabonga says

      October 18, 2017 at 11:43 pm

      Yes like right know I wanted places where gold is purified but I can’t find them

      Reply
  5. Antoinette Webb says

    September 16, 2017 at 2:27 pm

    It seems that many have thought on the “gold” mentioned in the Bible and having done so, think further about the processing of it spiritually in one’s own life. The temple was covered in gold. We go through processes in our lives too so that God can clothe us in His righteousness – not our own, and it is a costly process and time-consuming but the value of it will one day be revealed – not now but when the process is completed in His time.

    Thank you for the information which shows that true gold can only be found when the earthly part of it is removed!!

    Reply
    • Femi says

      October 19, 2017 at 10:26 am

      Great insight from the spiritual angle, I was actually researching on Gold processes in relation to spiritual growth aspect.

      Reply
  6. Tebatso TREBONIUS says

    August 11, 2017 at 2:47 pm

    Thinks so much 9 steps helped in my assignment Thinks more again

    Reply
  7. Maxxx says

    July 29, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    i m currently discovered Gold mine and I’m soliciting capital to start mining

    Reply
    • Alan Leong says

      August 31, 2017 at 2:02 am

      We are interested in gold mining and have the financial capability
      to support funding for gold mining. Currently we have a gold mining project in Indonesia.

      Alan

      Reply
  8. xxx says

    July 13, 2017 at 11:01 am

    nice piece of info

    Reply
  9. Anasthesia Nwanokwara says

    February 24, 2017 at 5:47 am

    Thanks so much, it helps in my assignment.

    Reply
  10. Gideon says

    January 30, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    Thnx so much you really helped me with a sermon assignment as taking an unbeliever from darkness to purity

    Reply
    • Carmelita Seeber says

      March 21, 2017 at 12:15 pm

      I agree. I too am writing on how God refines his people as gold is refined.

      Reply
  11. Ubong Sunday says

    December 14, 2016 at 12:09 am

    The information is much helpful, thanks.

    Reply
  12. Agnes mawunyo Apasu says

    November 29, 2016 at 4:44 pm

    Your post has helped me to know the journey on which God wants me to embark even though I don’t understand God. Thank you. God bless you.

    Reply
  13. Sumaiya says

    October 30, 2016 at 9:17 pm

    This really helped with my school work awesome:)

    Reply
  14. kevine says

    October 5, 2016 at 3:50 pm

    thx bruh

    Reply
  15. Bethany says

    June 7, 2016 at 6:54 pm

    This really helped with my school work. Thank You so much! =3

    Reply
    • Kevine says

      October 5, 2016 at 4:00 pm

      Thx my bro Bethany

      Reply
  16. Justin says

    June 6, 2016 at 8:53 pm

    Thanks, this helped a lot with my assignment and school work in science so yeah thanks for the good post

    Reply
  17. Justin says

    June 6, 2016 at 8:38 pm

    Thanks, this helped a lot with my assignment so yeah good post

    Reply
  18. Eduard says

    June 6, 2016 at 8:30 pm

    Thanks, this really helped with my assessment!!!

    Reply
  19. Bob Smith says

    May 27, 2016 at 11:34 am

    You helped me so much with my school work thank you very much!!!

    Reply
  20. iwasherelol says

    March 8, 2016 at 4:42 pm

    Thank you this is sooooooo helpful!!!!!!! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Sylvia Chamberlain says

    February 28, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    My pastor was teaching about the process of becoming pure gold, thank you for your explaining the process. It makes my life in Christ a lot easier to endure.

    Reply
    • Herbert Orr says

      June 20, 2016 at 9:44 am

      What did the pastor say about the process? The above information
      is quite involved

      Reply
  22. ibrahim says

    November 22, 2015 at 7:06 pm

    Yeah! This just got me answers for my assignment!!! Thanksss

    Reply
  23. Michaela says

    February 13, 2015 at 11:30 am

    LUV DIS POST!!!!!! THX 4 DA INFO;)

    Reply
  24. mogahid says

    February 7, 2015 at 4:21 am

    thank you

    Reply
  25. Nora says

    May 20, 2014 at 4:44 am

    thanks i love this post.

    Reply
  26. Carlo Merriweather says

    April 15, 2012 at 2:59 am

    I cannot thank you enough for the blog post.

    Reply

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