MINING REFINING

This is the largest gold deposit in the world – and it’s accessible to everyone

Tue Nov 19 2024

According to NASA estimates, approximately 20 million tons of gold are dissolved in seawater. This staggering amount eclipses all the gold humanity has ever mined throughout history, which amounts to a mere 200,000 tons. To put this into perspective, if we were to melt all the gold ever extracted, it would form a cube measuring only 22 meters on each side.

The concentration of gold in seawater is minuscule, but when spread across the vast expanse of the world’s oceans, it accumulates to an enormous quantity. This revelation has sparked interest among researchers and entrepreneurs, tantalizing them with the prospect of tapping into this immense wealth.

However, extracting this dissolved gold presents significant technological challenges. Current techniques, despite their sophistication, have not yet made it economically viable to harvest this precious metal from the sea. The quest to develop cost-effective methods continues, driving innovation in marine mining technologies.

The hidden treasures of the deep sea

Beyond the dissolved gold, the ocean floor harbors other accessible riches. In certain submarine regions, particularly near oceanic ridges, hydrothermal sulfide deposits concentrate precious metals such as gold, copper, and silver. These structures, known as “black smokers,” release minerals from the Earth’s depths.

The exploration of these areas has already begun, with mining companies attempting to establish the foundations for industrial exploitation. In 2017, Papua New Guinea issued the world’s first underwater mining permit, potentially marking the beginning of a new gold rush.

Here’s a comparison of different gold sources :

Environmental concerns and sustainable exploitation

While the economic potential of underwater mining is immense, it raises significant environmental concerns. Marine ecosystems, still largely unknown, are extremely vulnerable. Experts fear that submarine mining activities could cause irreversible damage by disrupting local ecosystems.

The unique chemistry of “black smokers” supports rare invertebrate species, and scientists struggle to assess the consequences of mining operations on these delicate habitats. Each year of extraction could potentially destroy hundreds of square kilometers of marine habitats, disrupting complex food chains.

The sustainability of exploiting these resources remains an open question. Before diving headfirst into this new industrial adventure, careful consideration must be given to establishing limits that protect these ecosystems. The greatest treasure of our blue planet may be the one we have yet to learn how to preserve.

The golden core of our planet

While the oceans hold an impressive amount of gold, they pale in comparison to what lies at the heart of our planet. According to calculations by Australian geologist Bernard Wood, the Earth’s core may contain an astonishing 2 million billion tons of gold. This quantity, though inaccessible, dwarfs all other known gold deposits combined.

This revelation provides insight into the distribution of elements within our planet and raises intriguing questions about the formation of the Earth. It also serves as a reminder of the vast wealth that exists beyond our reach, spurring scientific curiosity and technological innovation.

As we continue to explore and understand our planet’s resources, we face a delicate balance between exploitation and conservation. The discovery of these enormous gold deposits challenges us to reconsider our approach to mining and resource management. It prompts us to develop more sustainable practices and to value not just the gold we can extract, but also the irreplaceable ecosystems that coexist with these hidden treasures.

Source: https://indiandefencereview.com/