according to group information This new type of ‘invisible’ gold was previously unknown and could only be observed using scientific instruments known as atomic probes.
Gold has a nanoscale defect called displacement. which is one hundred thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair
“Previously, gold extractors were able to find gold in dense ores. Whether nanoparticles or dense gold alloys But what we found is that gold can also host defective nanoscale crystals. This represents a new type of ‘invisible’ gold,” lead researcher Denis Fougerouse said in a media statement.
According to Fougeruse, the more deformed the crystal. The more gold was imprisoned, the more flawed it became.
Scientists explain that gold is host to nanoscale defects known as displacement. which is one hundred thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair And this is why it can only be observed using atomic X-ray probes.
After their discovery, Fougerouse and his colleagues decided to look for a process that allowed them to separate precious metals using less energy than conventional pressure oxidizing techniques.
Selective leaching, which involves the use of liquids to selectively dissolve gold from pyrites. Seems like the best choice.
“Moving doesn̵
7;t just trap gold. But they also act as a liquid pathway that allows gold to ‘wash out’ without affecting all pyrites,” the researchers said.