'Fool's Gold': 'Real Gold' Discovered in This Mineral Pyrite

A study published recently provides a comprehensive analysis to further understand what is nicknamed "fool's gold," specifically the mineralogical location of the trapped gold in pyrite, resulting in more environmental-friendly gold extraction methods.

A SciTechDaily report specified that Dr. Denis Fougerouse, the study's lead researcher from Curtin's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences said, this new type of the so-called "invisible gold" has not previously been identified and is only noticeable through the use of a scientific instrument known as an atom probe.

Such a discovery rate of new gold deposits, Dr. Fougerouse explained, is in decline globally with the quality of ore degrading, parallel to the precious metal's value increasing.

Previously, gold extractors were able to find gold in pyrite, either as a pyrite-gold alloy or as nanoparticles, although what they have discovered is that gold can be hosted as well, in nanoscale crystal defects, signifying a new type of invisible gold.

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Gold Extraction Methods

The lead researcher explained, the more deformed the crystal is, the more gold there is caged defected. More so, the gold is hosted in nanoscale defects identified as dislocations, 100 times tinier than a human hair's width; therefore, a special technique known as atom probe tomography is required to observe it.

Also according to Dr. Fougerouse, the team explored gold extraction methods, not to mention possible ways to obtain the trapped gold with fewer negative effects on the environment.

In general, he added, gold is extracted through the use of pressure oxidizing approaches similar to cooking, although such a process is described as energy-hungry. Therefore, they wanted to look into a more environment-friendly approach to extraction.

Specifically, he elaborated they looked into an extraction process known as selective leaching through the use of fluid to have the gold selectively dissolved from the pyrite.

Not only do the dislocations are trapping the gold, but they behave as fluid pathways, too, that allow the gold to be leached, minus affecting the whole pyrite.

A Potential Boon for the Gold Mining Industry

Something as tiny as the fool's gold is essential, according to The Conversation. Specifically, the information site specified gives interesting insights into the manner mineral is depositing form, and is a potential boon too, for the gold mining industry.

Formerly, it was suspected that gold in anomalously rich pirate crystals was certainly made of gold particles formed during multiple steps of processes, proposing that pyrite and gold crystallized at different times and then turned out clumped together.

Nonetheless, such a discovery that gold can adorn the crystal imperfections proposes that even pyrite crystals with comparatively high gold content can form in one process.

Commenting on their discovery in the study, "A new kind of invisible gold in pyrite hosted in deformation-related dislocations," published in Geology, the study authors said it might help gold miners as well, more effectively extract gold from pyrite, possibly reducing greenhouse emissions.

For the extraction of gold, the mineral is typically oxidized in large reactors, which utilize substantial amounts of energy.

Additionally, dislocation areas within crystals could possibly offer enhanced partial leaching or a target for microbes to attack and break down the crystal, releasing the gold in a process identified as "bio-leaching," therefore possibly reducing consumption of energy essential for extraction. Such an idea is not yet tested, although certainly merits investigation.

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