How is gold extracted from its ore?
Gold, one of the rarer metals, is generally found in rock formations as an ore. However, even in its ore form, it is only about 80 percent pure. Numerous methods for extracting the elemental gold from its ore exist, but they are often quite toxic and environmentally damaging.CyanidationThe most popular method of producing more pure gold is cyanidation. A sodium-cyanide solution in air causes gold to become a solution. A process called vat leaching allows good quality gold ores give release elemental gold. Ores with less gold ore or poorer gold ore are heap leached. In this process, huge piles of ore are repeatedly sprayed with a sodium-cyanide solution over time until all the gold is extracted from the ore. Cyanide is toxic and an environmental hazard and must handled carefully.Amalgamation With MercuryIn the process of amalgamation mercury is applied to gold ore. Gold is easily dissolved by mercury and the two become amalgamated. After the two have joined, the amalgam is distilled. me
