The Borax Method of Gold Extraction for SmallScale Miners
Mercury is used in gold mining because of its ability to bind to gold to form an alloy which helps separate the precious metal from rock, sand and other material. The alloy — or amalgam — is then heated, often in a shovel or metal pan over an open fire, to vaporize the mercury, leaving behind only the gold. 1. Amalgamation is carried out in different ways, including wholeore and