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Challenges and opportunities of mining in Yukon

How does gold mining work?

Gold mining is a process that involves extracting gold from the ground. There are a number of different techniques that can be used to do this, but the most common method is placer mining. Placer mining involves using water to wash gold-bearing gravel and sand from a streambed or other deposit. The gold is then separated from the debris using a variety of methods, and the resulting gold nuggets are collected.

Gold mining can have a number of different impacts on the environment, depending on the method that is used to extract the gold. Some of the most significant environmental impacts include:

-The release of mercury into the environment

-The destruction of natural habitats

Challenges of mining in the Yukon

Mining is an important industry in the Yukon, and it plays a significant role in the territory’s economy. However, mining is not without its challenges, and there are a number of issues that need to be addressed in order to ensure that the industry remains sustainable. Some of the challenges facing the mining industry in the Yukon include:

-The high cost of doing business in the Yukon

-The remote location of many mining operations

-The short operating season

-The impact of mining on the environment

Despite these challenges, there are a number of reasons why mining is still an important industry in the Yukon. The territory’s rich mineral resources are a major attractor for investment, and the mining industry provides a number of well-paying jobs for Yukoners. With the right policies in place, the mining industry can continue to be a major contributor to the Yukon economy.

Environmental impact of gold mining in the Yukon

Gold mining is not without its environmental challenges, and there are a number of different ways that it can impact the environment. Some of the most significant environmental impacts of gold mining include:

-The release of mercury into the environment

-The destruction of natural habitats

-The pollution of waterways

-The generation of large amounts of waste

Fortunately, there are a number of different ways that these impacts can be minimized. For example, many gold mines now use cyanide-free gold recovery methods, and there are also a number of different initiatives in place to rehabilitate mine sites after mining has finished. With the right policies and practices in place, the environmental impact of gold mining can be minimized. Stay tuned for more blog posts on this topic! Thanks for reading!

Do you have any questions about gold mining in the Yukon?

Let us know in the comments below!

The future of gold mining in the Yukon

The future of gold mining in the Yukon is uncertain, but there are a number of different factors that will affect the industry in the years to come. Some of the most important factors that will impact the future of gold mining in the Yukon include:

-The price of gold

-The availability of capital

-Changes in environmental regulations

-The discovery of new gold deposits

Only time will tell what the future of gold mining in the Yukon will look like, but it is sure to be an interesting ride. Stay tuned for more blog posts on this topic! Thanks for reading!

Do you have any predictions about the future of gold mining in the Yukon? Let us know in the comments below! Thanks for reading!

April 22, 2022 by Craw

Mining Gold: Finding Better Ways | General Kinematics

Gold mining has traditionally been thought of as harmful in the environment, with mercury as a major concern for leaching gold from the ore. Mines have responded with failing safes that will safeguard and ensure the safest operation possible. General Kinematics now works with clients and customers to find ways to improve and improve gold production. In 1700 CE Mercury extracted gold by the amalgamation of minerals. Mercury surrounds gold forming shiny pellets. Workers burned the pellets then let the mercury evaporate leaving distilled gold.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining without mercury | US EPA

In many countries elements of mercury can also be used in gold artisan and smaller-scale mines. It mixes mercury in gold and forms an amalgam with dissolved mercury and vaporizes it to create gold. This procedure may prove dangerous and may also pose serious health and safety hazards. In some jurisdictions, mercury usage is unlawful or restricted in some manner. The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global agreement to reduce contaminated mercury from mines.

How much gold is left to mine in the world?

The Covid-19 Pandemic has prompted investors interested in gold to invest more heavily. The price rise was initiated by gold traders and prompted questions regarding demand for the commodity. Gold has been widely used as an investment symbol for many electronic equipment. The resulting resources will be incredibly limited eventually, and there will no longer be available for mining.

Hard rock mining

Hard rock gold extraction extracts gold in rocks rather than fragments in loose sediments. most gold in the globe is produced from this. In central Alaska, the mine of Fort Knox is operated in an openpit setting. Barrick Gold Corporation owns one of North America’s biggest open-pit gold mines at Goldstrike in northern Nevada. Other gold mines utilize underground mining where mine tunneling or shaft mining has taken place. South Africa’s underground gold mines are deep with depth reaches of 3,900 metres (12,890 ft). Heat has been unbearable in this depth, so air cooling has become necessary in order to protect workers.

Harder to mine?

Mining at large scales are extremely capital-intensive and utilize a large number of machines and skilled personnel for large areas at or underneath surface. About 60 percent of the global mine industry today is confined to surface operations, whereas the rest is underground. The mining industry is getting more difficult due to the rapid exhaustion of many large and cheap mining operations. In contrast, China’s gold mining is much smaller and hence have more cost. There remain relatively few unexplored gold-mining locations despite potentially promising places like West Africa.

How much is left?

Mineral companies estimate the amount of gold remaining in the ground in 2 different ways: Reserves – gold – which could potentially be economically mineable at the current price. Resources – gold that would be economically mineable after additional research and / or higher price. Gold reserves are available. Currently there are about 5000 tons in the underground gold reserves, according the US Geological Survey. The estimated amount was approximately 190,000 tonnes; however, estimates vary. Approximately 20% of this amount is still being collected.

Gold Leaching Practices

During largescale mining operations cyanide is used as a primary solvent in gold extraction. Cyanide allowed miners to recover small amounts of ore for gold in low grades to make profits. A gold miner sprays cyanide solutions over vast heaped crushed ore on huge collection pads. Using the cyanide solution, the gold can be dissolved into the heap. The pad collects the contaminated solution extracted from gold and sprinkled onto stacks until the ore has evaporated.

Peak gold

It seems as if our gold has exploded in a decade. Several think we’ve reached the same point. Gold mining production was 3,531 tonnes in 2019 compared with a 7% decrease in 2017. It represents the highest annual decrease since 2008. “The growth in mine supply will slowly or decline over time as existing reserves are exhausted, and new discoveries become rare.” It seems likely production may peak.

By-product gold mining

Gold can be obtained through mining but isn’t its main product though. The largest copper mine in the country often recovers in conjunction with copper substantial amounts of gold and other metals. In sand-and gravel-strewn sites ranging from around Denver, Colorado, the gold recovery could involve a few drops. Grasberger goldmines in Indonesia have mainly a copper mine.