A new analysis of archived satellite imagery has revealed that the growing presence of small-scale mining in the Peruvian Amazon is threatening carbon reserves and unique ecosystems.
gold
Earthquakes May Lace Quartz Veins with Gold
Seismic activity may kick off chemical reactions that seed nuggets of gold.
In New Zealand, Fish Are Helping Scientists Find Gold
Enormous amounts of gold lie buried beneath the rubble of New Zealand’s mountains, and scientists are using freshwater fish genetics to find it.
What a Gold Mining Mishap Taught Us About Rivers
Miners in Alaska rerouted a river to search for gold. One hundred years later, the new channel is teaching scientists how rivers shape Earth.
Mercury-Based Gold Mining Haunts Peruvian Rain Forests
In Peru, gold mining harms rain forests and human health. Satellite data can now track forest recovery in protected areas and the migration of informal miners to less regulated areas.
A Golden Opportunity to Save Shwedagon Pagoda’s Acclaimed Dome
The dome is replaced every 5 years, and researchers are studying how to make the gold more durable.
X-Ray Computed Tomography Detects Resolution Scale Gold Grains
A method combining partial-volume and blurring effects can be used to measure small features in computed tomography data volumes.
Fresh Take on a Gold Treasure’s Origins Using Geochemistry
Blending geoscience and archaeology, researchers apply a new technique to pinpoint where ancient and unique gold artifacts were crafted.
Global Drought Clustering Could Mean Big Losses for Mining
Long-term climate records could help mining companies and their investors assess the financial risk of water shortages.