How much gold do we have in the earth?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the amount of gold present in the Earth, exploring both the total mass of gold and the quantity that humanity currently possesses. Participants engage with various aspects of this topic, including geological considerations, economic valuations, and speculative estimates of gold distribution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the total mass of gold in the Earth can be estimated based on the density of gold and its volume, with one estimate proposing that all the gold would fit into a cube of 10m, amounting to approximately 19 million kg.
  • Others argue that the economic value of gold is much higher than suggested, with calculations indicating values in the hundreds of billions of dollars, depending on the price of gold per ounce.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the estimates of gold quantity, suggesting that the actual amount of gold in the Earth's core could be significantly greater than what is found in the crust.
  • There are claims that the distribution of gold is uneven, with references to specific holdings by institutions like the IMF and the amount of gold in places like Fort Knox being much larger than the proposed 10m³ cube.
  • One participant mentions that the accessibility of gold is limited due to its density and reactivity, implying that much of it remains untapped in the Earth's mantle.
  • Another participant raises a concern that if gold were to be found in abundance, its value could diminish significantly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the total amount of gold in the Earth or its economic implications. Multiple competing views remain regarding the estimates of gold quantity and value, as well as the accessibility of gold deposits.

Contextual Notes

Discussions include varying assumptions about the density of gold, the definitions of total gold quantity, and the economic context of gold valuation. Some calculations depend on current market prices, which can fluctuate.

Saint
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I need to know that,
according to physics, we know the total mass of the earth,
so, how much gold , in kg, do we have ?
 
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We can determine the mass of the Earth without knowing anything of the constituant materials.

This question may be answered best by a geologist.
 
Sticky? Why? Google: http://www.bractwo.bbk.pl/strony/ang/ozlocie.htm

It says all the gold in the world would fit into a cube of 10m.

At a density of 19,300 kg/m^3, that's 19 million kg. In dollars, that's around $130 billion.
 
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thanks
 
Originally posted by russ_watters
Sticky? Why? Google: http://www.bractwo.bbk.pl/strony/ang/ozlocie.htm

It says all the gold in the world would fit into a cube of 10m.

At a density of 19,300 kg/m^3, that's 19 million kg. In dollars, that's around $130 billion.

Excuse ?, Russ. That $ figure seems quite low; I can almost assure you that the governments of the world already possesses over $130 billion worth of gold.

Using your total of 10 cu. meters, and a value of $370 per ounce, I get a figure of around 233 trillion dollars! as the total value. (;)

Creator
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Originally posted by Creator
Excuse ?, Russ. That $ figure seems quite low; I can almost assure you that the governments of the world already possesses over $130 billion worth of gold.

Using your total of 10 cu. meters, and a value of $370 per ounce, I get a figure of around 233 trillion dollars! as the total value. (;)

Creator
Sorry. I didn't feel like looking up the current price of gold. But with $370 / oz, I am still getting $251 BILLION, not trillion. Maybe my math is still wrong.

19 million kg * 2.2 lb/kg * 16 oz/lb * $370 / oz = $251 billion
 
Originally posted by russ_watters
Sorry. I didn't feel like looking up the current price of gold. But with $370 / oz, I am still getting $251 BILLION, not trillion. Maybe my math is still wrong.

19 million kg * 2.2 lb/kg * 16 oz/lb * $370 / oz = $251 billion

My mistake; apparently you are correct in the calculation, but it still sounds too LOW.
:wink:
THe IMF alone has about 3217 metric tons of gold in their depositories with estimated market value of around $40 billion.
If we add in all the holdings of all individual countries, corporations (especially gold producers), and private holdings (I've got one ounce) we are sure to get above $100 billion to $200 billion worth, and this only accounts for what has already been mined from a 'scatch' in the Earth's crust.

I think the Earth has far more gold than these guys think. Maybe they want us to think gold is still rare so the price will go up. He, He.
Creator
 
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Originally posted by russ_watters
Sticky? Why? Google: http://www.bractwo.bbk.pl/strony/ang/ozlocie.htm

It says all the gold in the world would fit into a cube of 10m.

At a density of 19,300 kg/m^3, that's 19 million kg. In dollars, that's around $130 billion.

I'm pretty sure that was referring to the gold in Earth's crust, only. Discovery Channel just said that the total amount of gold in the core would cover all the land on Earth knee-deep.

Mind you; I'm not suggesting that's what we should do with it, but it's nice to know we could.
 
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I have to agree with Creator (that sounds kinda cool...)
If we divide "all" the gold evenly at the worlds population:
19.3*(10^6) kg / 6.2*(10^9) people = around 3 grams (the weight of a ring). That seems preety low to me.
I also see on Discovery recently a show about the making of the Euro and there was enough gold there to make at least 1/20 of that cube...
 
  • #10
Fort Knox, USA alone has more than 10m^3 of gold...
10m^3 is only 3.3m x 3.3m x 3.3m, that's like 10 feet x 10 feet x 10 feet. Most small bedrooms are larger than that and the amount of gold in Fort Knox is much larger than your average bedroom.
 
  • #11
How much Gold is in the Earth

and how much the human race has are two entirly different questions! Because Gold is very dense and not very reactive, except with Sulfur, and most of the Sulfur is in the Earth's mantle, most of the Gold will be very inaccessible.
 
  • #12
Originally posted by ShawnD
10m^3 is only 3.3m x 3.3m x 3.3m, that's like 10 feet x 10 feet x 10 feet.

I thought it said a cube of 10m, as in 1000m^3
 
  • #13
i too saw that show, about knee deep in gold. it'll become so unrare, it'll be worth less than...air.
 

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