Gold mining presents a unique set of technical and environmental challenges, requiring an interdisciplinary approach from exploration through to mine closure and defining the critical practices that shape modern gold mining. This SRK News issue highlights these challenges.
In gold exploration targeting, it is critical that early-stage geological assessments are done correctly to evaluate the impacts on mine design and resource estimation. There are many gold projects that have failed due to a lack of geological understanding. This can be a challenge when dealing with legacy mining data, such as in the Central Asian region, for example, the integration and validation of historical Soviet-era information. Several articles explore how to move beyond data-driven exploration by addressing legacy data issues and integrating structural interpretations of aeromagnetic data to improve mineral targeting.
Always a challenge in gold mining is the extraction of gold from narrow veins in underground operations. How to manage dilution and control costs in mining methods are reviewed, illustrating how meticulous planning and innovative solutions can support viable operations despite difficult ore conditions. In tandem, the best practices for geotechnical and hydrogeological (e.g., pore pressure) evaluations for open-pit gold mines are discussed —benefiting from pore pressure assessments and drawing on valuable geotechnical experience from the Maricunga gold belt deposits in Chile.
There are several intricacies of processing free-gold and refractory gold in a wide range of gold deposit types. Through case studies, we see how local mineralogical conditions demand tailored extraction techniques and technical adaptations. Environmental geochemistry studies explore the effects of gold’s “unwanted neighbours” — deleterious elements that must be carefully managed to minimize environmental impact. The issue also reexamines the myth that rinsing in gold cyanide heap leaching is essential to remove cyanide and to stabilize geochemically a heap.
Practical solutions address challenges in data scarcity for waste design, particularly in Brazil, where limited geochemical data affects waste management and long-term closure planning. Enhanced seepage management in tailings facilities is highlighted by a case study from a Northern Mexico mine that extracts gold and base metals.
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in gold mining are increasingly important to both stakeholders and investors. An analysis of responsible tailings storage options highlights approaches from Latin American projects, where risk management, economic viability, and reduced environmental footprint are central.
Together, these articles provide a comprehensive overview of the technical, environmental, and social considerations shaping responsible gold mining, offering insights into the innovations and strategies that define this sector’s evolving landscape.
