Fool’s gold, or pyrite, is made of worthless iron disulfide, but can contain tiny amounts of the real thing. Using an ‘atom probe’, research has uncovered a new way gold atoms can hide in pyrite crystals.
An astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) took this photograph of numerous gold prospecting pits in eastern Peru.
(NASA/SS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center)
NASA satellite images reveal the extent of gold-mining in Peru. This information can be used to shut down illegal mining and prevent environmental destruction and contamination.
While people may be familiar with precious metals, which are often at the heart of conflicts, there are also metals that are essential to good health.
(Shutterstock)
Iron fights anemia. Bismuth relieves gastric problems. Lithium acts against depression and gold can treat rheumatoid arthritis. Metals are precious tools for good health.
Many countries in Africa are dependent on commodities export.
Synergos/Wikimedia Commons
Technical advances are reducing the volume of e-waste generated in the US as lighter, more compact products enter the market. But those goods can be harder to reuse and recycle.
The gold standard didn’t exactly lead to a golden era.
Athitat Shinagowin/EyeEm via Getty Images
While Trump’s nominee to join the Fed favors returning to the gold standard, an economist explains why the US and the rest of the world abandoned it in the first place.
Small-scale gold mining operations in developing countries are major sources of toxic mercury pollution, using techniques that haven’t changed much since the California Gold Rush 150 years ago.
The Chinese army marches past the entrance to the Forbidden City on the occasion of the 2020 session of the National People’s Congress on May 22 in Beijing.
Nicolas Asfouri/AFP
The law missed the opportunity to address misuse of mineral royalties and increase transparency as well as accountability in mineral royalty management.
The Bingham Canyon open-pit copper mine in Utah has operated since 1903.
David Guthrie/Flickr
Studies show a weak relationship between tip amounts and quality of service. But the color gold seems to have a way of making diners feel wealthier – and more generous.
In just a few years, Burkina Faso has become the fourth largest gold exporter in Africa. But with 43% of the population still below the poverty line, what are the local benefits?
Gold jewellery has traditionally been central to dowries in India.
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Increases in gold prices on world commodities markets are linked to fewer surviving girls in India. This is related to gold often being part of bridal dowries.