Editing Gold mining (section)

=== Middle Ages: European gold rushes ===
During the Middle Ages, Europe experienced several gold rushes, most notably in regions like Transylvania, Scotland, and Wales. These were often small-scale and localised, compared to later rushes in history.

==== Transylvania ====
A gold rush took place in the Kingdom of Hungary (present-day [[Romania]]), primarily in the region of [[Transylvania]] during the medieval period. Transylvania was known for its rich mineral resources including gold, silver, and other metals.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Jameson |first1=John H. |title=Creating participatory dialogue in archaeological and cultural heritage interpretation: multinational perspectives |last2=Baugher |first2=Sherene |date=2022 |publisher=Springer International Publishing |isbn=978-3-030-81957-6 |edition=1st ed. 2022 |location=Cham}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-12 |title=Romania Backtracks on Bid to Protect Roman Gold Mine in Transylvania |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/romania-gold-mining-fight-rosia-montana-unesco |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Environment |language=en}}</ref> Miners in Transylvania used both surface and underground mining techniques to extract gold from alluvial deposits and veins. These methods included panning, sluicing, and rudimentary shaft mining.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Networks of trade in raw materials and technological innovations in prehistory and protohistory, Volume 12/session B34: an archaeometry approach |date=2016 |publisher=Archaeopress Archaeology |isbn=978-1-78491-424-0 |editor-last=Delfino |editor-first=Davide |series=Proceedings of the XVII UISPP World Congress |location=Oxford |editor-last2=Piccardo |editor-first2=Paolo |editor-last3=Baptista |editor-first3=João Carlos}}</ref>

==== Scotland ====
The [[Kildonan Gold Rush|Scottish gold rush]] occurred in [[Scotland]], primarily in the Highlands during the 16th and 17th century. Gold deposits were discovered in rivers and streams, leading to a surge in prospecting and mining activity.<ref name=":25">{{Cite book |last1=Callender |first1=R. M. |title=The Scottish gold rush of 1869 |last2=Reeson |first2=Patrick F. |date=2008 |publisher=The Northern Mine Research Society |isbn=978-0-901450-63-0 |series=British mining |location=Sheffield, Yorkshire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Laurenson |first=Sarah |date=2016-05-03 |title=Material landscapes: the production and consumption of men's jewellery during the Scottish gold rush of 1869 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2373518X.2016.1204865 |journal=History of Retailing and Consumption |language=en |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=129–142 |doi=10.1080/2373518X.2016.1204865 |issn=2373-518X|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The [[Scottish Crown Estate Act 2019|Scottish Crown]] took an interest in gold discoveries, in hopes of aiding the kingdom's economy and revenue. King [[James IV of Scotland]] established a royal mint to produce gold coins from Scottish gold. The Scottish gold rush eventually waned due to a combination of factors including the depletion of easily accessible gold deposits, harsh weather conditions, and the political instability at the time.<ref name=":25" />

==== Wales ====
A gold rush occurred in [[Wales]], in the [[Dolgellau]] area of [[Gwynedd]], during the 19th century.<ref name=":26">{{Cite web |last=Lo |first=Chris |date=2018-07-23 |title=Dragon's hoard: the allure of Welsh gold |url=https://www.mining-technology.com/features/dragons-hoard-allure-welsh-gold/ |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Mining Technology |language=en-US}}</ref> Gold deposits were discovered in Welsh mountains, with reports of gold being found in the [[Afon Mawddach|Mawddach]] and [[Afon Tryweryn|Tryweryn]] rivers. By the mid-19th century, commercial mining operations had begun. Wales' gold gained popularity for its quality and rarity, leading to its use in royal jewelry for the [[British royal family]].<ref name=":26" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-04-27 |title=Welsh gold wedding ring continues royal tradition |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-13196514 |access-date=2024-04-11 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>