Gold is an important mineral whether for its value, properties or its natural beauty. It is expected that in a few years Australia will be the second largest producer of gold. Present gold mining practices, though able to recover minute amounts of gold, can be improved. In the current process, gold is dissolved in an alkaline cyanide solution to form Au(CN)2, which is adsorbed onto activated carbon. Activated carbon has shown a special affinity for the gold complex even in the presence of other metalcyanide complexes at much greater concentrations in the pulp. This process is efficient and is able to recover gold at a concentration of 1 part per million in the auriferous ore. The adoption of the carbon technology has contributed substantially to the increased output of Australian gold. Within 15 years, local production has increased more than ten-fold over.