Showing posts with label ore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ore. Show all posts

Aluminium Once Cost More Than Gold

The metal that could only be made in large quantities when electricity became widely available was once valued more than gold. Eight per cent of the Earth's crust is made up of mineral aluminium such as potassium aluminium sulfate. This was used in times past for fire-proofing and tanning of leather.

Today, it is in baking powder and aftershave. The refinement into aluminum metal wasn't theorized until the late 19th century. Hans christian Oersted created the first sample of the metal in 1825. It was highly contaminated. Sodium was then used by Henri Saint-Claire Deville to produce more. In 1845 scientists found it to be extremely light in weight. By 1855 small ingots were made and its price skyrocketed. Indeed, Napoleon 111 valued his aluminium cutlery more the the gold alternative.

Electrolysis was the major breakthrough in the production of large quantities of aluminium. Bauxite was identified as the best and plentiful source material. The price fell 80 per cent almost immediately as it became the cheapest metal available. The price fall is notable: $US1,200 a kilo in 1852 to $US1.00 in the 20th century for the same amount.
Science by Ty Buchanan

Russia Seeking Australian Mining Technology

Being a primary producer means Australia leads in mining technology. Russia wants to get its hands on some of this high-tech to mine its vast resources.

Companies such as MBC Resources, Noritsk Nickel and Russian Platinum welcomed the Australian XT business into its new office in Moscow. There is also interest from neighboring countries with huge untapped resources in neighboring countries: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Projects have already begun in these nations. Australian know-how is eagerly sought after.

Australian mining is becoming a major service provider overseas as exports continue to rise. South Africa, Canada and Chile also consult XT; it has established offices in these countries.
Technology by Ty Buchanan
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     Australian Blog                         
ALL BLOG ARTICLES· ──► (BLOG HOME PAGE)

Eucalytus Trees Store Gold in Their Leaves

A way of detecting gold deposits beneath the ground has been right in front of our eyes for years. Eucalyptus trees take up gold particles into their leaves. X-ray imaging could replace test drilling.

Eucalyptus roots go down a very long way in search of water. Some sinker roots reach 40 meters below the surface. If there is gold in the ground it is concentrated in the leaves. It is pushed to extremities of the tree because gold is toxic.

Research has proven the theory. Trees above gold deposits store gold, but in gold-free areas there is no stored gold. It is place specific as well: the amount of gold particles varies with the level of gold deposits in the ground.

There is no threat to the trees as the amount of stored gold is minuscule. All types of plants store minerals besides eucalyptus. However, the overwhelming number of plant species in Australia are eucalyptus.

It is no longer necessary to drill in difficult, rocky places. Taking a few leaves for analysis does not damage the trees. This will make the search for gold much easier and cheaper.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Society by Ty Buchanan
     Australian Blog                         
ALL BLOG ARTICLES· ──► (BLOG HOME PAGE)