Alluvial gold mining refers to the process of extracting gold from soil or sediments, such as river beds, stream beds, and flood plains. This type of mining relies on water movement, which acts to erode rock containing gold minerals and wash these valuable mineral fragments into more pliable, soft sediment in the downstream. The gold particles are often separated from the alluvium, which is the loose, unconsolidated soil or sediment, through panning, sluicing, or dredging. This method is generally environmentally friendlier compared to traditional hard rock mining, though it can still have significant ecological impacts if not managed properly.
