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Questions and Answers
What is the estimated annual gold production from artisanal mining?
What is the estimated annual gold production from artisanal mining?
- 380-450 tonnes (correct)
- 200-300 tonnes
- 50-100 tonnes
- 500-600 tonnes
How many people depend on artisanal mining for their livelihood?
How many people depend on artisanal mining for their livelihood?
- About 10 million
- About 100 million (correct)
- About 200 million
- About 50 million
What method is often used by artisanal gold miners to extract gold from ores?
What method is often used by artisanal gold miners to extract gold from ores?
- Flotation
- Mercury amalgamation process (correct)
- Cyanide leaching
- Magnetic separation
When did the mining of gold begin according to the text?
When did the mining of gold begin according to the text?
Which technique was used for gold collection before the year 3500 BC?
Which technique was used for gold collection before the year 3500 BC?
What is the estimated annual gold production from artisanal mining?
What is the estimated annual gold production from artisanal mining?
What method is often used by artisanal gold miners to extract gold from ores?
What method is often used by artisanal gold miners to extract gold from ores?
How many people depend on artisanal mining for their livelihood?
How many people depend on artisanal mining for their livelihood?
Which technique was used for gold collection before the year 3500 BC?
Which technique was used for gold collection before the year 3500 BC?
What are the primary dangers associated with artisanal gold mining operations?
What are the primary dangers associated with artisanal gold mining operations?
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Study Notes
Gold Ore Types and Characteristics
- Gold is the most noble metal, commonly found in native form.
- Often occurs alongside silver, tellurium, bismuth, and platinum group metals (PGMs).
- Typical ore grades range from 0.5 to 20 grams per tonne (g/t).
- Primary gold sources include ores; secondary sources comprise gravity concentrates, flotation concentrates, plant and refinery tailings, and recycled gold.
Types of Gold Deposits
- Placer ores: Accumulated by gravity in riverbeds or alluvial deposits.
- Oxidized ores: Eroded ore bodies that have undergone oxidation.
- Primary ores: Deep-seated ores typically accessed through underground mining.
Gold Mining Methods
- Placer mining used for placer ores.
- Open-pit mining applied to oxidized ores.
- Underground mining utilized for primary ores.
Key Gold Ore Types
- Main types identified include:
- Placer
- Oxidized
- Free milling
- Silver-rich
- Iron and arsenic sulfide-bearing
- Carbonaceous
- Copper-bearing
- Antimony-bearing
- Gold telluride-bearing
- Refractory ores that are challenging to process.
Gold Production Routes
- Methods include:
- Artisanal mining: Small-scale, often informal mining operations.
- Amalgamization: Mixing gold with mercury to extract it.
- Smelting: Heating ore to separate the metal.
- Hydrometallurgy: Currently dominated by cyanide leaching, which accounts for about 60% of global gold production.
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