AI Use Cases. A curious case of cyanide in gold mining ( Nevada vs Argentina techniques)
My personal claim to anything mining-related is that one of my strategic projects at Monster Inc., which produces lithium batteries for the Extra Monster Inc. in the fine fields of the Nevada desert, was concerning its supply chain, mines, China’s tariffs, and all other cool stuff when you need to make sure you actually have stuff to make stuff.
As a member of “Team Overachievers,” I studied where needed materials are located geographically and what would be an acceptable and cost-effective strategy for obtaining them. Note that gold was not really on my radar because, well, I am not sure they are making batteries out of gold yet, but AI would probably create something like that.
I went to Argentina this August ( that’s a separate story), and we learned about mining and such. One of the questions I had ( and if you know me, I usually have 10,000,000 questions, but I do filter them in order of priority) is how they deal with cyanide. Because, you know, the environment and people would like not to be dead and so on. Mining experts told us that because of the timeline differences between Nevada’s and Argentina’s mining technology, they do NOT use cyanide. Ok, cool, next question.
I kind of forgot about it until I was seated on the plane back to Reno with a Canadian guy who flew to Northern Nevada to … work on accessing gold mines’ profitability. I was like, wow, what a coincidence! I am literally flying back from Argentina, and I have a choice to write a paper about exchange rates in Argentina or Mining ( I chose mining because exchange rates in Argentina as they currently are is not something even AI can figure out, let alone human.) I asked him about cyanide, and he said it is not technologically possible to “gold mine” without cyanide yet. I told him he should visit Kings Beach in Tahoe for Instagram picutres.
It has been bothering me for the past couple of weeks. Which one is a correct statement : one of them is wrong, both of them are wrong, or none of them is wrong?. Gold Mines and Cyanide here are technically irrelevant from the algorithmic perspective if you are trying to teach the robot to understand when it’s observing Schrodinger’s cat, how to deal with it, and what action to take ( if/else statement). ChatGPT did not know the answer and spewed BS like the one below. I am horrified some people think this so-called “AI” is acceptable.
The answer is actually very simple ( yay for Wikipedia and the human ability to read). The grade level of gold mined in Nevada and the grade level of gold in Argentina differ so much that a cyanide step is simply not needed. Argentina simply has richer mines.
You see, when you are trying to solve something that is not A+B, you need to understand what other possible variables impact your current understanding of the problem. Even if two subject matter experts are giving you TWO CORRECT but OPPOSITE opinions, it just means that whoever you are, as a decision maker, you need to check it as a human ( or sign up for early product runs with our #kaiai, who would not make decisions for you but help you think broader in business and technology).
To be continued…
p.s. As some of you know, I had a lovely trip to Hokkaido (the Meiji restoration period is one of my historical interests). They have an excellent historical museum in Sapporo with “living” old buildings, equipment, etc. Back in June, we had a nice trip to a Donovan historic mill ( check it out if you are into ghost towns of Nevada), and …. drum roll… Hokkaido mines in the 19th century and Nevada mines in the 19th century used the same equipment supplier. But that’s another story about a curious case in the history of international trade.
The text below is produced by ChatGPT. I just can’t…
The Curious Case of Cyanide in Gold Mining: Nevada vs. Argentina
In the heart of Nevada’s sprawling deserts, where the sun blazes across barren landscapes, lies a hidden treasure trove — gold. Nevada’s gold mines are among the most productive in the world, thanks in part to advanced extraction techniques. The region’s prosperity in mining is largely attributed to its use of cyanide leaching, a process that has sparked both acclaim and controversy.
Miles away, in the rugged terrains of Argentina, gold miners face similar challenges but with different solutions. Here, the extraction of gold involves techniques that sometimes avoid the use of cyanide, reflecting both environmental concerns and technological adaptations.
Chapter 1: The Nevada Gold Rush
At the heart of Nevada’s gold mining success is the sophisticated use of cyanide leaching, a process that revolutionized the industry in the late 19th century. In a small town named Elko, the local mining company, Nevada Gold Co., had perfected this technique. Cyanide, a potent chemical, is mixed with water to form a solution that is then used to dissolve gold from crushed ore. The process was efficient and cost-effective, making it possible to extract gold from low-grade ore that would otherwise be unprofitable.
Dr. Emily Carter, a chemist at Nevada Gold Co., had dedicated her career to improving the cyanide leaching process. She was known for her innovative approach to minimizing the environmental impact of cyanide, using sophisticated filtration systems to capture and recycle the cyanide solution. Despite these advancements, cyanide’s toxic nature was a constant concern.
Chapter 2: The Argentine Approach
In the Andean mountains of Argentina, a different story unfolded. The region’s gold miners, such as those at the high-altitude mine in San Juan, often faced environmental scrutiny. The Argentine government had enacted strict regulations to limit the use of cyanide due to its environmental hazards. Instead, miners employed alternative techniques.
One prominent method was bioleaching, which uses microorganisms to extract gold from ore. In this process, microbes break down the ore and release gold in a more environmentally friendly manner. Dr. Luis Fernández, a microbiologist working in San Juan, led a research team that had successfully adapted this technique to local ore types. Bioleaching not only reduced the reliance on harmful chemicals but also showed promise in enhancing gold recovery from lower-grade ores.
Chapter 3: The Unlikely Meeting
One day, a significant opportunity arose. Nevada Gold Co. was looking to expand its operations and needed to understand different mining techniques to ensure sustainability. Dr. Emily Carter was invited to visit San Juan to learn about bioleaching and explore its potential applications in Nevada.
Upon her arrival, Emily was greeted by Dr. Luis Fernández. The two scientists, although from different worlds, shared a common passion for advancing mining technology. They spent days discussing their respective methods, examining each other’s techniques, and even conducting joint experiments.
Emily was impressed by the effectiveness of bioleaching and its minimal environmental impact. Luis, in turn, admired Nevada’s sophisticated cyanide recycling systems and the precision with which they managed the process.
Chapter 4: A New Frontier
Their collaboration bore fruit when they devised a hybrid approach, combining the efficiency of cyanide leaching with the environmental benefits of bioleaching. This innovative method involved using cyanide in a controlled manner while incorporating bioleaching techniques to handle waste materials and further reduce environmental impact.
Back in Nevada, the hybrid method was tested at a pilot plant, demonstrating both improved gold recovery rates and reduced environmental footprint. In Argentina, bioleaching was refined with insights gained from Nevada’s advanced filtration technologies, enhancing its efficiency and scalability.
Epilogue: The Future of Mining
The story of Nevada and Argentina’s gold mining techniques became a model of international cooperation and innovation. The hybrid approach that emerged from this collaboration not only advanced mining technology but also set a precedent for balancing economic interests with environmental stewardship.
Dr. Emily Carter and Dr. Luis Fernández continued to work together, pushing the boundaries of mining science. Their shared goal of making gold mining more sustainable echoed across the globe, inspiring future generations of scientists and miners to seek harmony between industry and the environment.
In the end, the curious case of cyanide in gold mining had led to a brighter, greener future for an industry once marked by its environmental challenges.
