Gold has been admired for its shine, but the real value today sits in what it can do. This metal moves through nearly every corner of modern life. A tiny bit of gold helps make GPS systems work the way we expect them to, being fast, accurate, and dependable. If you’re rerouting around a traffic jam or checking coordinates on a remote hiking trail, that signal depends on precision. Gold helps deliver it. Its resistance to corrosion and ability to conduct electricity without delay make it ideal for satellite tech and circuit boards used in navigation tools.

These aren't rare use cases either. From smartphones to vehicle dashboards, gold helps hold the system together. It might not take much, but the demand adds up, especially as devices multiply.

Gold mining in Alaska supports this invisible infrastructure. Every ounce pulled from the ground has a job to do, and a growing number of those jobs live in the tools people touch every day. For Alaska, that demand means jobs, investment, and now, a chance to fuel the future.

Case Study: Gold in GPS Systems

A GPS unit has three basic parts: 

1. An antenna, which receives satellite signals
2. A receiver-processor unit, which converts the signal to navigation information
3. A control and display unit, which displays the information to the user

‍

Did you know? Gold plating is used in satellites due to its corrosion resistance and ability to reflect infrared radiation.

‍

It may be found in GPS antennas, but the primary application of gold is in circuit boards that receive and process GPS signals. Reliability and durability in weather conditions are key, making gold an ideal choice as a mined metal for GPS circuit board components. This gold comes from responsible mining, and is one of the many reasons mining is good for Alaska.

‍

Did you know? Alaska is home to Pogo Mine, the eighth-largest gold producer in the U.S.

‍

Mined Gold’s Properties:

• High electrical conductivity - Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity. The metal helps efficiently transfer electrical signals between components on a circuit board.
• Corrosion resistance - Gold maintains its electrical conductivity over time and is resistant to oxidation, which can disrupt electrical signals.
• High solderability - Gold easily forms strong bonds with solder, allowing for reliable connections between circuit board components. 

Applying Gold in Circuit Boards:

• Gold plating protects edge connectors from corrosion, enabling a long-lasting connection between circuit boards.
• Gold’s high electrical conductivity and solderability make it the ideal material for the delicate wire bonds that connect integrated circuits to circuit board pads.
• Gold plating is applied to spring finger contacts (small, spring-loaded contacts found on memory modules) to connect them to the circuit board. 
• Gold can be applied as a thin film to shield delicate circuit board components from electromagnetic interference (EMI). 

Small Parts, Big Impact

The amount of gold in one GPS system is small enough to go unnoticed, but the many applications of the metal make it critical to building technologies that humanity will use to navigate the future.  From gold in circuit boards to satellite-based tools that keep people connected, the use of mined gold is incredibly vast. None of it functions without a reliable source of high-purity metal.

Gold mining in Alaska helps meet that demand. The state’s resources support global tech infrastructure and local economies. With every circuit powered and every route recalculated, Alaska’s gold mines continue to shape what comes next. Reliably, responsibly, and one signal at a time.

‍Frequently Asked Questions About Mining In Alaska

What does “net zero” mean for Alaska’s mining industry?

"Net zero" for Alaska’s mining industry means balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from mining activities with an equivalent amount removed or offset from the atmosphere. Creating a balanced environmental footprint is the primary goal. By investing in renewable energy sources and innovative technologies, companies in Alaska actively commit to achieving net zero. This strategy benefits the industry's long-term viability & the environment alike. Sustainable operation is possible through net zero, positively affecting local communities and ecosystems. Unlike conventional resource development, net zero supports stable, responsible practices essential for Alaska’s economy. Clear actions include adopting renewable energy, energy-efficient equipment, and funding carbon offset projects. Alaska’s mining industry proves its capability to adapt responsibly through net zero in today’s environmentally conscious world.

What specific actions are Alaska’s mining companies taking to reduce carbon emissions?

Through practical measures like solar, hydropower, and wind, Alaska’s mining companies actively adopt renewable energy sources to lower carbon emissions. Energy storage capabilities continue to improve, equipment efficiency receives regular investment, and electric & hybrid vehicles increasingly become standard. Energy usage reduces significantly thanks to enhanced energy management systems that monitor consumption closely. Funding local projects that remove greenhouse gases, carbon offsetting is another major effort. Community sustainability initiatives, habitat restoration, and reforestation are among the environmental projects Alaska’s mining operations support financially. Electric-powered equipment regularly replaces outdated technology through company upgrades. Coupled with clear targets, this approach demonstrates genuine commitment from Alaska’s mining industry. Compatibility between mining and environmental goals emerges clearly from these ongoing practices.

Has Alaska’s mining industry achieved any significant environmental sustainability milestones?

Yes, Alaska’s mining industry achieved meaningful environmental milestones, demonstrating practical sustainability. Fully balancing their carbon footprint through efficiency improvements, local offsetting projects, and renewable energy, some operations have notably reached net-zero emissions. Alaska mining’s progress in sustainability also shows clearly through recognition programs like the internationally acknowledged Zinc Mark. Rigorous environmental and social standards in production practices become evident through this achievement. Beyond mere promises, these milestones confirm the industry's real-world commitment, helping set a new standard in responsible mining. Reinforcing public confidence and trust, these accomplishments clearly show effective coexistence between environmental protection and resource development in Alaska. Tangible success in matching economic activities with essential sustainability objectives is demonstrated through these milestones by the industry.

Resources:

https://www.4pcb.com/blog/pcbs-and-why-they-contain-gold/ 

https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/9254/chapter/5#7 

https://www.valencesurfacetech.com/the-news/gold-plating-in-satellites/