Question

What is alluvial gold mining?

Answer 1

Alluvial gold mining is the mining of stream bed deposits for minerals.

Explanation:

Alluvial mining is frequently used for precious gold deposits which are often found in alluvial deposits i.e. in the sand and gravel of the river/stream beds.

Alluvial gold deposits over a time when a river runs through ground that is rich in gold. The water erodes the surrounding rocks due to its comparative low density, but the gold being heavy resists movement and gradually settles in the bed. An area well protected from the flow of water is a good location to find gold. Alluvial gold usually takes the form of dust, thin flakes or nuggets.

Initially the dredged river bed material is separated from the small sand faction where the gold is found. Physical separation methods like screening and gravity separation are used to separate the gold from the mineral fraction.
This method of mining is an environmentally friendly method of gold mining.