Gold
Statistical Compendium
This publication includes data through 1990.
For recent statistics, please go the the Gold Statistics and Information page.
Gold has been treasured since ancient times for its beauty
and permanence. Most of the gold that is fabricated today goes
into the manufacture of jewelry. However, because of its
superior electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion and
other desirable combinations of physical and chemical properties,
gold also emerged in the late 20th century as an essential
industrial metal. Gold performs critical functions in computers,
communications equipment, spacecraft, jet aircraft engines, and a
host of other products. Although gold is important to industry
and the arts, it also retains a unique status among all
commodities as a long-term store of value. Until recent times,
it was considered essentially a monetary metal, and most of the
bullion produced each year went into the vaults of government
treasuries or central banks.
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U.S. Geological Survey
Minerals Information
983 National Center
Reston, VA 20192 USA
Commodity Specialist: Earle B. Amey, III (eamey@usgs.gov)
URL:
http://minerals.er.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/gold/stat/
Maintained by: jgambogi@usgs.gov
Last modification: 10/09/98
(JG)
