Gold For All? Scientists Have Unlocked The Way To Extract Deep Earth Deposits

Last Updated:February 28, 2025, 09:24 IST

Scientists, led by Adam Simon from the University of Michigan, have developed a model to extract gold buried deep within the Earth. Although though the method remains experimental, this breakthrough could potentially end global poverty

Based on these findings, scientists are optimistic that it may be possible to mine the gold buried deep within the Earth. (AI Generated)

While humanity has ventured to the moon and beyond, settling in space, scientists have yet to unravel several mysteries of our own planet. Deep beneath the Earth’s surface, there are rare treasures that, if harnessed, could transform the planet as we know it.

This may sound extraordinary, but scientists have made remarkable progress toward making this a reality. Gold, the most prized metal on Earth, holds immense value. The amount of gold one possesses defines one’s wealth, and despite its importance, nature has provided an abundance of this precious metal. Billions of tonnes of gold are buried within the Earth’s depths. So, why aren’t we extracting it?

Gold Deep Inside Earth

The answer lies in where the gold is located. This gold is buried far beneath the Earth’s surface, extending towards its core. Till now, no technology or method has been capable of extracting it. However, scientists have recently made a ground-breaking advancement.

According to a report from earth.com, atoms of gold are located deep below the Earth’s surface. These atoms don’t typically bond with other elements, preserving their pure state. Currently, the only known gold mines are near the Earth’s surface. But now, scientists have discovered a way to bring the gold that lies deeper to the surface.

This breakthrough was led by Adam Simon, a scientist at the University of Michigan, with contributions from researchers in China, Switzerland, Australia, and France.

How Did Scientists Achieve This?

The gold is buried several kilometres underground, where extreme pressure and temperature conditions exist. For centuries, scientists have sought a way to extract gold from these depths. The challenge lies in the fact that gold rarely reacts with other metals under normal conditions. However, scientists managed to force gold atoms to react in high temperatures under volcanic conditions. This caused the gold atoms to shift, allowing them to move toward the surface.

To achieve this, scientists used a sulphur-containing liquid, which triggered a reaction with the gold deep underground, around 30 to 50 miles beneath the surface. This process caused the gold and liquid to rise toward the Earth’s surface. Based on these findings, scientists are optimistic that it may be possible to mine the gold buried deep within the Earth.

However, this experiment has been conducted in a lab so far, and it may take considerable time before it can be applied on a larger scale.

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