The Gold Series: Mining and Supply (Part 2)

Today, most comes from hard rock deposits where gold is disseminated or associated with other metals and mined either through open pit or underground mining. Deposits form when gold is dissolved in hot pressurized fluids deep in the crust, and then transported upwards on fissures and cracks where it is deposited closer to surface.

90% of gold produced today is recovered through the cyanide leaching process.

There are three distinct streams that make up supply: official sales, recycled gold, and mine production.There has been a 571% increase in gold purchases from central banks from 2011 to 2010. Since the 2008 financial crisis, more people have opted to recycle gold as well. Recycling has increased 93% from 2002 to 2011.

Discoveries are declining and it is becoming more expensive to find gold. Data also shows that the grade of underground and open pit gold mines are decreasing over time.