ABSTRACT
Despite all evidence to the contrary and for reasons that seem neither logical nor rational, it is probable that society will continue to value gold as a commodity in the forseeable future and to provide continued employment to about 30 million individuals worldwide who derive a significant portion of their income from the mining, refining, and sale of raw and finished gold. Jewelry, coins, and bullion will doubtless continue to account for the great majority of all new gold mined — about 2000 tons annually — although new gold and gold products are constantly being developed for use in electronics, medicine, and other disciplines. As is true for other commodities, it is expected that the price of gold will continue to fluctuate over time based on demand and supply. As demand for gold decreases, the price for raw gold will decrease and marginally productive mines will be closed or abandoned, often with little or no regard for the environmental consequences. Gold miners and refiners will continue to suffer from increased illnesses and death rates when compared with the general population, although this is expected to lessen on exposure of miners to additional training and education, implementation of existing safety regulations, and installation of adequate mine safety equipment. Environmental degradation associated with the extraction of gold will continue or increase in developing nations, and at a reduced rate among nations with strong and enforceable environmental laws. New mining technologies now under development to produce gold from very lowgrade ores are expected to be both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Additional research efforts and information on various aspects of gold and gold mining are merited. Some of the more pressing needs are listed below.
