Aurigerous

/ɔːˈrɪdʒərəs/ adjective

Definition

Containing gold or producing gold; capable of yielding gold from the earth.

Etymology

From Latin 'aurum' (gold) + '-ferous' (bearing or carrying), literally meaning 'gold-bearing.' The suffix '-ferous' comes from 'ferre' (to carry), so aurigerous rocks literally 'carry gold.'

Kelly Says

Gold miners get excited about aurigerous rock deposits because finding rocks with just a tiny bit of gold can still be profitable if the deposit is huge—some of the richest gold mines are actually only mildly aurigerous!

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