A massive high-grade gold and silver discovery in New Zealand is revealing a rare, free-milling epithermal system worth billions. This article breaks down how gold and electrum formed in volcanic rocks, why the grades are so high, and what makes this deposit one of the most exciting modern gold discoveries.
Discover the incredible story of the Charters Towers goldfield, one of the richest and most unusual gold discoveries in Australian history. Producing over 6.6 million ounces of gold—worth nearly $48 billion today—this legendary goldfield stands apart for its hard rock discovery, extreme 34 g/t gold grades, and unique orogenic quartz reef geology. Learn how gold formed deep within the Ravenswood Batholith, why there was almost no alluvial gold, and how miners chased narrow, high-grade quartz veins to depths of 1,000 metres. This is the geology, history, and science behind one of Australia’s strangest and richest goldfields.
With gold prices surging, hard rock gold mining is often seen as the logical next step beyond alluvial prospecting. This article breaks down the uncomfortable truth about hard rock gold mining, using real-world examples and Victorian legislation as the reference point. It explains why finding gold in quartz does not automatically mean a viable mining operation, how gold grade varies along veins, and why most quartz reefs are far more complex than they appear at the surface. From free-milling versus refractory gold to crushing, processing, legal limits, contamination, and physical labour, this piece explores the realities that determine whether hard rock gold mining can ever move beyond a hobby. While focused on Victoria, the challenges discussed apply to small-scale hard rock mining almost everywhere in the world.
