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How Does Gold Smelting Work?

Published in Gold Refining 2 mins read

Gold smelting is a fundamental process used to purify gold and separate it from other materials. Essentially, it involves melting gold-containing material at very high temperatures.

The Gold Smelting Process

Based on the provided reference, the process of gold smelting can be broken down into several key steps:

  • Heating in a Crucible: This process involves heating the gold in a special container called a crucible. The crucible must withstand extremely high temperatures.
  • Reaching High Temperature: The material containing gold is heated to a high temperature. This heat is sufficient to melt the gold itself.
  • Melting and Separation: Upon melting, the gold separates from any other metals or impurities that may be present in the material. This is the core purification step of smelting.
  • Pouring into a Mold: The molten, purified gold is then carefully poured into a mold. Molds come in various shapes and sizes, typically designed to produce bars or ingots.
  • Cooling to Form a Bar: The gold in the mold is allowed to cool. As it cools, it solidifies, forming a solid bar.
  • Analysis: Finally, this solid gold bar is analyzed. This analysis is crucial to determine its gold purity and value.

In summary, gold smelting uses intense heat to melt gold, allowing it to separate from other substances before being cast into a bar for assessment.