Gold

Collins, R.S.

Gold

Collins, R.S.. 1975 Gold. London, UK, HMSO, 70pp. (Mineral Dossier No. 14)

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Abstract/Summary

Gold is a soft heavy yellow metal used since prehistoric times for jewellery. It has for centuries been used in coinage: gold sovereigns are still valid as currency but, as they are worth many times their face value, they are now minted mainly for collectors. Gold is being used for an increasing range of industrial applications, particularly in miniaturised components in the electronics industry. The recent price increases appear to have influenced use in electronics; thinner coatings and smaller gold areas now being employed. The industrial use of gold is relatively small in the United Kingdom compared with the USA, Japan and West Germany, being about 30 tonnes in 1973. Gold was mined in the United Kingdom, mainly in Wales, for centuries, and about 4 tonnes of gold has been recovered since 1860. However, none has been produced for over 30 years. Most of the gold-bearing deposits' found in Great Britain are alluvial and occur adjacent to the 4°W line of longitude. The main world producer of gold is South Africa, followed by the Soviet Union, and total production of new gold is probably now a little under 1,500 tonnes a year. The price of gold was fixed by legislation during much of the 20th century. The recent high price of gold has decreased hoarding in developing countries, but considerable quantities of gold bullion are held in most of the developed world. The United Kingdom imported over 554 tonnes of refined bullion in 1974, and nearly 168 tonnes of gold in other forms. The net export of gold increased from nearly £180 million in 1973 to over £1,000 million in 1974.

Item Type:

Publication - Report

Programmes:

BGS Programmes > Economic Minerals

Funders/Sponsors:

Institute of Geological Sciences

Additional Keywords:

Mineral, Gold

NORA Subject Terms:

Earth Sciences

Date made live:

25 Jul 2025 11:25 +0 (UTC)