How is the element gold obtained?

Answer 1

Gold can be found in many places across the entire planet. There are two main types of raw gold: Placer and Lode.

Lode gold is still in place within whatever host rock it originated. That means that when the Earth was created and gold was deposited in its original locations, it has yet to be discovered. It also takes a whole lot of effort, research and expense to extract it to make it profitable. This is where you hear "gold mines" which are large underground holes or tunnels that are dug with heavy machinery in modern day, or by pick and shovel in the old days.

Placer gold, however, is very much easier to find and take home. As a mountain erodes through wind, rain, ice, earthquakes...etc. rock and other items, including gold, are washed downstream in various rivers, creeks and streams. Placer gold must have been deposited by the movement of water. That doesn't mean that water has to be there currently but at some point it must have been there.

Placer gold is found mainly on the downstream sides of obstructions; trees, rocks, bends in the waterway...etc. The most popular method of extraction is by gold pan. It has been done this way since the early 1800's. This method hasn't changed since the old-time miners used it in the Great Gold Rush! Gold is extremely heavy (about 19 times heavier than water) and will continue to bury down further until it cannot sink anymore, most likely due to bedrock or some other "false" bedrock.

For more detailed information please visit www.oregongoldhunter.com where you will find very detailed extraction techniques as well as the various equipment you can use to find gold!

Answer 2

Gold was discovered in January 24, 1848. By James W. Marshall in California.

Answer 3

Like virtually all of the naturally occuring elements, gold originated in the explosions of stars.

Answer 4

The origin of the symbol Au is the Latin word "aurum" meaning "gold".

Answer 5

mining