Gold mining is the extraction of gold from the earth. Throughout history, early mining efforts focused on alluvial deposits, where gold particles were naturally concentrated in riverbeds, floodplains, and stream channels. These deposits were typically recovered using manual separation methods such as sieving and panning, which relied on the high density of gold to separate it from lighter sediments. As techniques improved, miners expanded into deeper and more complex deposits, developing underground workings, hydraulic mining systems, and later large scale open pit operations. Modern gold production now includes advanced exploration techniques, drilling, blasting, and ore processing that uses crushing, grinding, gravity separation, and chemical extraction. These advancements have allowed gold to be produced from lower grade ores while maintaining efficiency and minimizing losses.
