FAQ

A concept coined by Alternun, it involves the tokenization of unmined gold reserves, where the liquidity obtained from the sale of these tokens is placed in a liquidity pool. This pool is created to decentralize and manage resources according to the project’s ethos: the regeneration of the planet leveraging unexploited gold mining reserves.

50% of the resources in the liquidity pool will be used for the development of regenerative projects, 30% allocated to a recovery pool in case it becomes necessary to liquidate the collateral. This 80% of the resources is controlled by the DAO composed of token holders, while Alternun manages the remaining 20% for operational expenses. (See the “liquidity pool” section for more details).

Gold’s value is rooted in its rarity, durability, and enduring role as a financial asset. Approximately 93% of gold is used as a store of value, serving as a global hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Its historical use as currency underscores its financial importance, while central banks and investors hold it as a safe haven. Gold consistently attracts demand during times of crisis, as investors seek to protect their wealth from currency devaluation, further reinforcing its value in the global economy. 

no, one troy ounce equals 31.1 grams. Precious metals are commonly measured in ounces, but at Alternun, we’ve chosen to use grams as the unit of equivalence. This approach enables a wider audience to be collateralized in gold reserves, with each token representing the value of one gram of gold.

Traditional gold mining causes significant environmental harm, including deforestation, water pollution, soil degradation, and high carbon emissions.  

Moreover, about 93% of the world’s gold is used as a store of value, not for essential industrial applications. This means much of the extracted gold is simply locked away in vaults, contributing little to productive economic activities. 

Instead, by DIGITAL GOLD MINING, we can create value without causing environmental destruction. This allows for the development of regenerative projects that aim to restore and improve the environment, while also supporting local communities. This approach allows us to contribute to a regenerative future by preserving the earth’s resources while still utilizing gold’s value as a financial asset. 

Each gold mine will have its own total supply, which will always be related to the results of the NI 43-101 report, with adjustments based on discounts to the total amount of resources or reserves found (see details of the calculations at https://hackmd.io/@sgomezp/B1ZBam4dR#What-Do-We-Propose) in relation to the degree of certainty provided by the report and commercial factors.

The NI 43-101 is a standard for the disclosure of scientific and technical information about mineral projects within Canada. It was established by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) to protect investors by ensuring that mineral project reports are prepared according to a consistent and transparent methodology.  

An NI 43-101 report must include details such as the geology of the property, the methods of exploration used, the quantity and quality of the mineral resources, he reports must be prepared or supervised by a “Qualified Person” (QP) with relevant professional credentials in geology or mining engineering.

Initially, each GBT represents one gram of gold. However, as exploration continues and the certainty of the report increases, this difference will be distributed among the holders, increasing the amount of gold collateralizing each token. (See more details at https://hackmd.io/@sgomezp/B1ZBam4dR#What-Do-We-Propose.) If you participated early, you’ll have more opportunities to expand the amount of gold your tokens are collateralized with.

By minting a GBT, you will be able to participate in the Alternun ecosystem. Your GBT, in itself, preserves the value of your money over time while contributing to mitigate the negative impacts of traditional miningbe able to decide how to use 50% of your liquidity allocated in the treasury. Once the incredible regenerative focus projects are listed on the Alternun website, you will be able to vote for the project you believe is best and whose purpose aligns most closely with our mission to regenerate the planet. Next, you will be able to stake in the project you believe should be developed. Once the project reaches the required capital threshold for its construction, you will be able to claim a token for it. You decide how large your position in the project is. Congratulations! Now you have your token backed by gold reserves, plus a token representing a position in the regenerative project! At Alternun, we will be publishing updates on the project’s construction progress. Once the project begins generating returns, you will be able to claim them and thus earn profits as a digital gold miner.    

The process of extracting and benefiting gold typically involves several stages, which can vary depending on the type of deposit and the scale of the operation. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

1. Gold Extraction Methods:

• Placer Mining: This is the simplest form of gold extraction, used for gold deposits found in riverbeds or alluvial deposits. It involves panning, sluicing, or using dredges to separate gold from sand, gravel, and other materials.
• Hard Rock Mining: This method is used for mining gold deposits deep underground or in hard rock formations. It involves drilling, blasting, and then transporting the ore to the surface.
• Open-pit mining: For shallow deposits, large open pits are dug to extract the ore.
• Underground mining: For deeper deposits, tunnels and shafts are used to access the ore.

2. Ore Processing (Beneficiation):

• Crushing and Grinding: Once the ore is extracted, it is crushed and ground into smaller particles to liberate the gold.
• Concentration: The ground ore undergoes several processes to concentrate the gold, separating it from the waste material.
• Gravity Separation: Gold is denser than most other minerals, so gravity-based methods like shaking tables or centrifugal concentrators are used to separate it.
• Flotation: Chemicals are used to make gold-containing particles float, which can then be skimmed off from the rest of the material.

3. Gold Extraction (Recovery):

• Cyanidation: This is the most common method for extracting gold from ore. The ore is treated with a cyanide solution, which dissolves the gold. The gold is then recovered from the solution through a process called adsorption, where it adheres to activated carbon or other materials. The gold is then stripped from the carbon and further refined.
• Heap Leaching: For lower-grade ores, the ore is piled up, and a cyanide solution is percolated through the heap. The gold dissolves and is collected at the bottom.
• Amalgamation: In small-scale mining, mercury is sometimes used to bind with gold and form an amalgam. The mercury is then evaporated, leaving behind the gold. This method is less common today due to environmental concerns.

4. Refining:

• Once the gold is recovered from the ore, it undergoes refining to remove impurities and produce pure gold. This can be done through smelting, where the gold is heated to high temperatures and other elements are separated, or through electrolytic refining, which uses electricity to purify the gold.

5. Environmental Considerations:

• Gold extraction, especially through hard rock mining and cyanidation, can have significant environmental impacts, including habitat destruction, water contamination, and mercury pollution in small-scale operations. Responsible mining practices and reclamation efforts are essential to mitigate these impacts.

In summary, gold extraction involves mining the ore, processing it to concentrate the gold, and then using chemical or physical methods to recover and refine it into pure gold