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Invisible Gold Discovered in Pacific Volcanic Fields
13 Jul
Summary
- Extraordinary gold concentrations found in deep-sea hydrothermal fields.
- Much of the gold is hidden within ordinary minerals like pyrite.
- Discovery renews interest in deep-sea mining amid environmental concerns.
A volcanic landscape south of Japan has yielded an unprecedented discovery: an extraordinary concentration of hidden gold. The gold is primarily found within ordinary minerals, specifically pyrite, rather than visible flakes.
This remarkable finding occurred within the active Higashi-Aogashima hydrothermal field, approximately 350 kilometers south of Tokyo. Here, superheated fluids are building chimney structures and sulphide deposits on the seabed, naturally concentrating metals.
The research utilized advanced spectrometry to detect gold trapped atomically and as nanoparticles within pyrite. This "invisible gold" represents the highest concentration yet measured in seafloor deposits globally.
The discovery reignites discussions about the commercial potential of deep-sea mining. However, the technical challenges of extracting this "invisible gold" and the unresolved environmental concerns regarding fragile deep-sea ecosystems remain significant hurdles.
