Gold recycling; a materials flow study

Amey, Earle B.

doi:10.3133/ofr00195

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Gold, because of its rarity and high price (a measure of desire or usefulness), has been recycled throughout the ages. A modern article of jewelry that contains recycled gold could conceivably contain gold from an earring worn by Helen of Troy (Amey, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technology advancement: a factor in increasing resource use

Wilburn¹,

Goonan²,

Bleiwas³

2001

Open-File Report

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The possibility of mineral resource depletion has been repeatedly raised as a concern because ever-growing populations will place ever-growing claims against finite resource endowments. This report addresses this perception and analyzes how technology has helped to ease resource constraints for many mineral commodities. Case studies on aluminum, copper, potash, and sulfur are provided to identify the effects of technology on resource supply.In spite of losses of resources accessibility resulting from environmental policy and expanding urbanization, mineral producers historically have been able to expand production and lower production costs. Between 1900 and 1998, production increased by 6,000 percent for sulfur, 3,770 percent for potash, 3,250 percent for aluminum, and 2,470 percent for copper. For the same period, constant-dollar (1998) prices decreased by 94 percent for potash, 90 percent for aluminum, 89 percent for sulfur, and 75 percent for copper.The application of technology has made mineral deposits available that were overlooked or considered to be nonviable. As technology changes, producers can meet the demands for higher quality, more energy efficient, and more environmentally safe products with less physical material. Also, technological changes have increased the amount of materials recycled and remanufactured. Technological advances can occur as breakthroughs, but it most often advances incrementally and is driven by the profit motive.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%