Extraction and Availability: Gold extraction is primarily done through cyanidation, a process that uses a cyanide solution to leach the ore and obtain the precious metal. Approximately 60% of global operations involve open-pit mines, with the remainder being underground. Brazil ranks tenth among the countries with the highest gold production worldwide.

Applications: With unique properties and high malleability, gold is widely used in various fields due to its excellent electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and chemical inertness.

Consumer Goods: Used in photography (as chloroauric acid), for decorating cakes and sweets, employed as a monetary reserve and backing for paper currency, as well as for international payment settlements. Used in alloys with copper and silver for jewelry manufacturing.

Technology: Applied in satellites and large commercial building windows as a reflective film for infrared radiation.

Medical industry Utilized due to its corrosion resistance and malleability. Used in surgeries with fine gold wires and in research for treatments such as autism and HIV, as well as in nanotechnology for developing new treatments. Also used for coating biological materials and visualization in scanning electron microscope (SEM).