Gold and Other Precious Metals

The literature on gold deposits has increased exponentially during the past eight years. The books on gold geology and exploration cover in most cases certain geographical areas (for example, Gold in Canada, etc. ), or they contain papers presented at symposia and congres- ses. The approach often missing in other texts is the one which combines geology with mineral- ogy and the recovery problems and which addresses the earth scientist as well as the ex- tractive metallurgist. Dr. Claudia Gasparrini has managed to fill this gap very well. She builds a bridge from the ore geology aspect to the mineralogical parameters and proper- ties, specifically for the ore dressing engineer and, although to a lesser extent, for the ex- ploration geologist. With her book, she helps to stop blind, one-sided recovery attempts, and points aptly to the importance of mineralogical and largely physical properties, such as the mineral intergrowth and the role of associated minerals. The intergrowth determines important steps of the metallurgical processes, and some of the associated minerals may mess-up the recovery procedure. I am convinced that engineers and scientists will recognize and acknowledge that the ap- proach presented in the present book needs to be introduced everywhere and not only in very few places. As a matter of fact, the small company needs it just as badly, if not more than the large one. I wholeheartedly support the author's intention to prove.