Trends in the Use of Gold in Current Industrial Applications

摘要

The major current uses of gold in industrial applications are within electronic components and in dental alloys and these applications are reviewed. A number of issues are discussed that are likely to affect future gold use in these sectors. These include the recent high and fluctuating palladium price, the introduction of new technology in the electronics industry and, in Europe in particular, the future requirement that waste electrical and electronic equipment will have to be recycled. The techno-economic case for using gold in preference to competing materials in certain applications is discussed. The overall long-term effect on industrial gold off take is likely to be positive.