Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Minerals, Wealth
and Progress
GOLD
Gold is the aristocratic metal without equal, and together with copper, among the
oldest metals known to man-kind. Gold and copper are also the only two metals
that are not grayish in colour, others varying from bluish grey (lead) to white (silver).
Unlike copper and most other metals, however, gold is quite inert; it does not tarnish,
rust, or corrode - it maintains its elemental condition and yellow colour through
geological times. It is however also the most useless metal. Only in recent history
has gold found applications beyond its use as currency and for decoration.
