9. How long does it take to start up a gold mine?
It usually takes several years to start up a gold mine, because it is first necessary to map out the size of the gold reserves and where they are located. In this phase, exploratory drilling will be carried out at various locations. This requires experienced geologists who can carry out the drilling and analyse it in laboratories.
Historical data is used to map gold reserves, combined with geological maps. At the site itself, measurements are made of the physical properties of the soil, such as variations in density, magnetism, electrical conductivity and radioactivity. Special equipment can also be used to examine the soil from the air. This is done with aircraft that fly at an altitude of 60 to 200 meters.
Exploratory drilling in the search for gold
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