Abstract
WHEN gold mining is a new industry in any country, the methods of extraction are often somewhat rough and ready. With great quantities of rich ore waiting for treatment or easily obtainable, the mill-man is usually intent on obtaining the greatest possible quantity of bullion in a short time, rather than on establishing a good system of reduction, which, in the long run would extract the maximum percentage of gold per ton at the minimum cost. It matters little to him how much gold runs off in the tailings into the nearest stream, so long as enough is extracted to pay expenses and yield a handsome profit. When, however, the industry becomes firmly established, the aspect of affairs is changed. The richer mines can afford to spend something in endeavouring to improve their practice; the poorer ones have their very existence threatened by the loss of 30 or 40 per cent, of the gold, which has been raised from a great depth, only to be left on the dumping ground.
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ROSE, T. Concentration of Gold Ores. Nature 53, 16–17 (1895). https://doi.org/10.1038/053016b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/053016b0