Distinction is made between two classes of ores in regard to mining and extraction. First, placer and palaeoplacer deposits are mined hydraulically or mechanically and the gold recovered by gravity separation, amalgamation or cyanidation. In Witwatersrand palaeoplacer ores gold is concentrated in thin reefs of large area in hard rock formations. Their pursuit has resulted in the evolution of reef mining at depth. Second, there are lode gold deposits which occur mainly in greenstone belts associated with basement rock formations. The gold, together with minerals containing sulphur, arsenic and antimony, is concentrated by flotation, the sulphur, arsenic and antimony removed by roasting, or by biological or chemical treatment, and the gold recovered from the residues by cyanidation. Refining of mine bullion is usually carried out in refineries and not at individual mines. These refineries also recover and refine gold from a variety of other materials. The procedures used are outlined. Historical aspects of the above that are of interest are also considered.
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